The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that on May 13, 2015, the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement) will go into effect for the United States, making two things possible for international design applicants.  As of this date, U.S. applicants will need to file only one international design application with either the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or through the USPTO as an office of indirect filing to obtain design protection in multiple, designated countries that are party to the Hague Agreement.  And, beginning May 13, 2015, applicants filing international design applications will be able to designate the United States for design protection.

Learn more at Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs