(Publ. 15 JUN 2018) United Kingdom and Northern Ireland joined on March 13 the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs. By that, there are 54 contracting parties to the Geneva Act, including ARIPO and EUIPO. This makes United Kingdom the 68th member of the Hague Union. The relevant treaty entered into force on June 13th, 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 68 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.