INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

IP: continuing developments in China

Over 100 international applications for appearance designs filed on the first day when the Hague Agreement comes into force in China

On May 5, the day the Hague Agreement concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs (hereinafter referred to as the Hague Agreement) came into force in China, a total of 49 Chinese companies filed 108 international applications for designs, of which the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) received 58 international applications for designs from Chinese applicants. As of 5:30 pm Geneva time, 50 international design applications had been filed directly with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) by Chinese applicants.

Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Shier Medical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd were among the top applicants received by the SIPO. WIPO data shows that among the Chinese applicants who filed international design applications directly with the International Bureau, Shenzhen Smoore Technology, Dreame Innovation Technology and Shenzhen TCL Digital Technology were at the top of the list.

In recent years, the SIPO has continued to pay attention to the development of the Hague system and actively promoted the process of China's accession to the Hague Agreement, so as to provide better services for domestic innovation subjects to go abroad. To this end, the SIPO has been actively promoting the preparation of examination criteria, application and examination procedures, notifications and system requirements in accordance with the working principles of conforming to Hague requirements, facilitating users, reducing operational adjustments and connecting to international processes, and has conducted several rounds of consultations with the International Bureau of WIPO on the operational aspects of China's accession to the Hague Agreement. The Hague system provides a strong guarantee and support for the submission and examination of international design applications.