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UPOV
The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is a global system for granting protection for plant varieties.
What is the Hague System?
The Hague System is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Under the Hague System you can register up to 100 designs in multiple countries at the same time, in one application. You can apply in over 90 countries through the Hague System.
How does it work?
Here's a quick video that explains what the Hague System is and how it works.
What is the Hague System?
What is the Hague System?
The Hague System facilitates registrations of designs in numerous countries through a single application, and is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, or WIPO for short.
As Australia isn't a contracting party of the Hague, we can't accept applications under the system, and Australians aren't automatically entitled to use it.
If you want to apply through the Hague system, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria. For example, you might be eligible if you permanently live in or are a national of a country that’s a contracting party, or if you have an established business in a territory of a contracting party.
Applying under the Hague System allows you to have your application examined according to the design legislation in the designated country, and it only takes a single request if you ant to make changes. Because you don’t have to file multiple applications directly to each target country, it ultimately saves you time and money.
Want to learn more? Check out our Hague System page.
The Hague System facilitates registrations of designs in numerous countries through a single application, and is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization, or WIPO for short.
As Australia isn't a contracting party of the Hague, we can't accept applications under the system, and Australians aren't automatically entitled to use it.
If you want to apply through the Hague system, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria. For example, you might be eligible if you permanently live in or are a national of a country that’s a contracting party, or if you have an established business in a territory of a contracting party.
Applying under the Hague System allows you to have your application examined according to the design legislation in the designated country, and it only takes a single request if you ant to make changes. Because you don’t have to file multiple applications directly to each target country, it ultimately saves you time and money.
Want to learn more? Check out our Hague System page.
Can I apply under the Hague System?
Australia isn't a contracting party of the Hague, which means we can't accept applications under the system. Australians aren't automatically entitled to use the Hague System.
Examples of the ways you might be eligible to file under the Hague include:
- You're a national of a country that's a contracting party of the Hague
- You're a national of a member state that's a contracting party of the Hague, such as the European Union or the African Intellectual Property Organization
- You permanently live in a country that's a contracting party
- You have an established business in a territory of a contracting party.
Why should I apply under the Hague System?
Applying under the Hague System allows you to:
- Receive an indication as to whether you can protect your design in member countries
- Apply for protection in multiple countries at once
- Potentially save time and costs with preparing and filing multiple applications directly to each target country, depending on how widely you want to trade
- Have your application examined according to the design legislation and laws in the designated country or region
- Make a single request to make changes or renew international registrations.
How to apply
You can file your application through eHague. eHague enables you to digitally and securely file your international design applications and renew your registrations.
How to manage your design
You can manage your international registration through the eHague Workbench. This includes making changes or updates, renewing your registration, or appointing or cancelling a representative.
Frequently asked questions
It takes time to become an expert in international design systems — and we're still learning everyday. Here's the answers to our most commonly asked questions about the Hague System.
Can I apply to the Hague?
Yes. Examples of the ways you might be eligible to file under the Hague include:
- You're a national of a country that's a contracting party of the Hague
- You're a national of a member state that's a contracting party of the Hague, such as the European Union or the African Intellectual Property Organization
- You permanently live in a country that's a contracting party
- You have an established business in a territory of a contracting party.
You can check your eligibility to apply to the Hague.
What fee benefits are there when applying under the Hague?
You can calculate the fee using the Hague System fee calculator.
Are there any other conditions to achieving registration under the Hague System?
You have to meet the individual requirements of each country. The Hague System streamlines the process of filing and maintaining your application.
Does the Hague System give me a world wide design right?
No. The Hague System only extends to the countries you designate. It's a tool that allows you to more easily file your design into several countries at once. However, you must still select each of the countries you want to apply to. Each country will make its own decision about whether the design will be protected. There's no world wide design right.
