Applications via the Hague System for international protection of industrial designs increased by 9.4% in 2025, according to figures published by WIPO this month.

The number of designs contained in the applications also grew by 5.2% to reach 28,588 designs – a record number. This was the fifth consecutive year of growth for the Hague System.

China led in design filings in 2025 with 5,911 designs, followed by Germany (4,530 designs), the United States (3,882), Switzerland (2,285) and Italy (2,015).

Four of the top five states of origin recorded growth, with the United States increasing by 27.5% and China by 21.4%. Italy fell by 10.4%.

There were significant increases in filings by Huawei Technologies and Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software and by Apple. Ferrari filed fewer designs in 2025 compared to 2024.

Huawei Technologies claimed the highest number of published designs in 2025, with 1,200 designs included in applications. Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software filed 659 designs, Procter & Gamble 613 (28 fewer than in 2024), Philips Electronics 540 and Samsung Electronics 525.

Among the top 10 applicants, five operate in the ICT and consumer electronics sector, two in consumer goods, two in automotive, and one in construction.

More details are available on WIPO’s website here, along with data on PCT, Madrid System and ADR filing trends in 2025.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang (pictured) said in a statement: “In this world of shortened innovation and business cycles, WIPO will work hard to ensure that our Global IP Services keeps pace with the changing expectations of our customers, making what we offer more efficient, more digital and more customer centred, so that entrepreneurs and enterprises can continue using the PCT, Madrid and Hague systems to secure IP protection across borders.”

Photo © WIPO by Emmanuel Berrod, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License