The year 2025 marked the centennial of the Hague System, which governs international designs.
Among the major developments of particular interest to you, we can highlight:
– Legal simplification: operation exclusively under the Geneva Act (1999), making the system clearer and more accessible.
– Harmonization of practices: new rules, notably the requirement to justify graphic exclusions.
– Ongoing modernization: work on digital formats (3D, etc.), multi-class applications, and procedural improvements.
– International extension to 99 countries: accession of Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.
– Improved communication: secure messaging and direct collaboration with examiners.
– Optimized search tools: new bulletin interface with advanced search.
– Increased efficiency: automation (DAS validation, fee calculation) and improved administrative processes.
– Better user experience: more intuitive interface and simplified document management.
And looking ahead, here are the projects planned for 2026:
– Expanding its reach globally
– Legal and technical modernization (particularly for digital formats such as 3D and interfaces)
– Improving digital tools and platforms
– Optimizing internal processes to handle the increase in requests
– Strengthening customer service to better meet user needs.
In short, this is a comprehensive plan aimed at making the system more accessible, modern, efficient, and user-friendly.
We will, of course, keep you informed of developments as they are implemented.
