International design system opens its doors to UK designers in 2008

A change in the law means that from 1 January 2008, UK businesses will be able to obtain international design registrations. The change also means that people will be able to obtain Community Registered Designs (giving EU-wide protection) through the international design system. The UK Intellectual Property Office has issued an explanatory note.

The changes in the law themselves are very technical (non law geeks, look away now!), and have involved:

• The European Community adopting regulations to enable it to join the Hague Agreement on the International Registration of Industrial Designs in July 2007. The Hague Agreement is an agreement between certain countries and organisations that put into place the international design system.
• The European Community acceding to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on the International Registration of Industrial Designs in September 2007 (see EC press release);
• A rather fiddly Regulation being laid before the UK Parliament.

If you would like assistance with filing an international design registration, please contact us. We'd be delighted to help!