(Publ. 14 DEC 2017) On November 30, Russia joined the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs. By that, there are 53 contracting parties to the Geneva Act, including ARIPO and EUIPO. This make the Russian Federation the 67th member of the Hague Union. The relevant treaty will enter into force on February 28^th, 2018.

The Hague system offers centralized management of industrial designs through a single application and allows an applicant to register up to 100 patterns in 67 member states including the European Union. Thus, if offers a cost effective and smooth way to get protection in many markets. You get the same legal protection as if the designs were filed directly with each national office.