On October 11,2023 KIPO announced the publication and distribution of the guidance of an international application for an industrial design according to the Hague Agreement, so that the public, a company and a patent attorney industry worker, among others are able to understand the relevant system and to file an international application for an industrial design.

Under the Hague Agreement, when an international design application is field with the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization, a design right is protected through an examination in the countries (96 countries as of the end of September 2023) joined in the Agreement, including US, China, Japan, etc. The number of international design applications field in the world in 2022 was 25,030, showing an increase of 11.2% compared to the previous year. In south Korea, the number was 1,346, taking 7th placed in the world (in 2022) and the importance of the international design applications is continually growing.The guidance includes the explanation of the Hague international application system and procedures and how to make an international application, etc.

From Kim Hong & Associates

November 2023