The Hague System for the International Registration for Industrial Designs took effect in China on May 5 and East China's Shanghai city has apparently been quick off the mark to take advantage of the new arrangements.

Companies and designers in China are now able to apply for international protection of their designs in all 94 countries covered by the Hague system, facilitating their operations in international markets.

According to preliminary statistics, at least eight enterprises in Shanghai have already submitted 11 international design applications through the Hague System.

At present, there are two ways to submit international design applications through it and one is direct submission. Applicants can log in at the website of World Intellectual Property Organization, or WIPO and submit electronic applications through the eHague system in English, French or Spanish.

The second method is a transfer. In this case, the application is submitted to the China National Intellectual Property Administration and the administration then transfers the application to the International Bureau of WIPO. The application must be in English. 

The initial period of protection under the Hague System is five years. Patentees can then renew their design twice, which guarantees at least 15 years of protection.

Moving forwards, the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration will continue to encourage and support companies to submit international design applications through the Hague System, so as to provide better IP protection and services for local innovations.