GENEVA ACT OF THE HAGUE AGREEMENT
INFORMATION CENTER
GENEVA ACT (1999) OF THE HAGUE AGREEMENT
CONCERNING THE INTERNATIONAL
REGISTRATION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
(GENEVA ACT)
BENEFITS FROM FOREIGN DESIGN PROTECTION
1. Product appearance is being pirated as well as product function. Design patents and design registrations (collectively referred to as design patents), provide an effective way to help stop piracy. With a design patent and utility patent protecting a product, the extent of protection is substantially expanded.
2. In many countries the cost of obtaining a design patent is relative low, compared to a utility patent. The lower cost is due to the fact that there is no novelty examination, in most design protection systems. It may be cost effective to obtain design patents on many models of a product..
3. In many countries design patents are obtained relatively promptly, because the application review is only for formalities. In many cases the registration is obtained without any need for a foreign attorney when the Geneva Act system is used.
4. In some cases design patents may add to the strength of a product
image, enhancing the likelihood of a product appearance becomes a mark
(trade dress). It will depend on national law what the affect is of a design
patent on the rights to a subsequent mark for the same design.
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This page was last updated on December 7, 2006