WIPO has published Information Notice No 6/2018 on the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, regarding the ratification of the 1999 Act by the United Kingdom.

As previously noted on this blog, the UK deposited its instrument of ratification on 13 March this year.

WIPO’s Information Notice, posted on 11 April, confirms that the instrument of ratification was accompanied by the following declarations:

• the declaration referred to in Article 4(1)(b) of the 1999 Act, whereby international applications may not be filed through its Office;
• the declaration referred to in Article 11(1)(a) of the 1999 Act, whereby the maximum period for the deferment of the publication of an industrial design where the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is designated in an international registration is 12 months from the filing date or, where priority is claimed, from the priority date;
• the declaration as required under Article 17(3)(c) of the 1999 Act, specifying that the maximum duration of protection provided for by the legislation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in respect of industrial designs is 25 years.

The 1999 Act, and the declarations made, will enter into force with respect to the UK on 13 June 2018. Note that MARQUES is hosting the latest edition of its seminar “Mastering The Hague Agreement” in London on 18 June. This will be an opportunity to find out more about the Hague System and the UK ratification.

Find out more and register for the London seminar on the dedicated page on the website.