Investing in the creation of industrial designs is critical in modern business practice, as it allows a company’s product to stand out in an increasingly competitive market dynamic. Just as important as creating distinctive...more
Hitherto, if cancellation or invalidation proceedings were brought against the United Kingdom designation of an International design or trademark where no representative had been appointed in the United Kingdom, the owner...more
Brazil has joined the Hague system by depositing the instrument of accession of the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on February, 13, 2023...more
United States applicants can now file a single design patent application under the Hague System, designating, the United States, European Union, Canada, Mexico, and now China, among other countries and regions....more
Brexit has well and truly arrived, and while the trade agreement that was reached on Christmas Eve 2020 is undoubtedly a very significant development in terms of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and European...more
Starting June 6th, companies can use the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs to protect industrial designs in Mexico. The Hague Agreement provides a mechanism for protecting an...more
Mexico has joined the Hague System by depositing the instrument of ratification of the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement for International Protection of Designs on March 6, 2020, thereby fulfilling one of its obligations...more
Brexit finally arrived on Jan. 31, 2020, and we are now in the period during which the UK and EU will negotiate the final rules governing their future. During this transition period, the UK and EU will continue to recognize...more
SPECIAL REPORT - BREXIT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES - In this report, we explain some of the key legal implications associated with the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (EU) without a deal for future...more
Effective Ways to Protect Your Intellectual Property: International Design Patents - The Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs (the “Hague Agreement”) is an international registration...more
On November 5, 2018, extensive changes to Canada’s industrial design system will come into effect. These changes are being implemented through amendments to the Industrial Design Act (Act), the Industrial Design Regulations...more
Canada will become the 69th member of the Hague Union related to International Registration of Industrial Designs on November 5, 2018. As a result, the creators of Industrial Designs in Canada will soon be able to file a...more
The Hague Agreement, the international registration system for industrial designs, continues to grow as Canada will become its newest member on November 5, 2018. As we reported back in January, Russia also joined the Hague...more
Canada has joined the Hague system by depositing the instrument of ratification of the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on July 16th, 2018. This agreement provides the means of protection for Canadian industrial designs...more
On June 27, 2018 the Government of Canada published the new Industrial Design Regulations in the Canada Gazette and set November 5, 2018 as the date on which amendments to the Industrial Design Act and Regulations will come...more
Kilpatrick Townsend partner Babak Kusha, along with a fellow thought leader, recently presented a Knowledge Group webinar on the topic of “The Hague Agreement and Design Filings: Recent Trends and Developments in 2018.” Below...more
The January 2018 issue of Sterne Kessler's The Goods on IP® discusses interesting patent marking considerations for consumer product companies, including a recent Federal Circuit case involving licensee marking. This issue...more
On December 9, 2017 Canada’s Governor-in-Council took the formal step of publishing proposed new Industrial Design Regulations (the proposed Regulations) in the Canadian Gazette. A 30-day consultation period has been set,...more
Kilpatrick Townsend partner Babak Kusha, along with a panel of other thought leaders, recently presented a Knowledge Group webinar on the topic of “The Hague Agreement and Design Filings.” The Hague Agreement is an...more
In recognition of ever growing cross-border sales, the U.S. recently expanded its design protection laws to make it easier to file a single application in multiple jurisdictions. Read on if you deal with products that could...more
In February 2015, the United States completed steps to become a member of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement). The Hague Agreement went into effect for the...more
Summary: Effective May 13, 2015, a US national stage application for which an inventor’s oath or declaration (or substitute statement, as applicable) has not been filed is not eligible for an RCE filing. On April 2,...more
Beginning May 13, 2015, U.S. applicants will be able to file international design patent applications through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, U.S. design patents resulting from applications filed on or...more
On May 13, 2015, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) will begin accepting U.S. design patent applications under the Hague Agreement. This agreement allows U.S. applicants to file up to 100 designs in over 64 member...more
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently published the Final Rules for implementation of the Hague Agreement for the Registration of Industrial Designs (i.e., design patents). Starting May 13, 2015, U.S.-based applicants...more