WIPO adopts Riyadh Design Treaty in landmark move for global design protection
WIPO member states adopt the Riyadh Design Law Treaty in one of the biggest advancements in international design law this century.
Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have this week voted to adopt the Riyadh Design Law Treaty, a landmark agreement aimed at simplifying and harmonising international design protection. The treaty, the result of nearly two decades of negotiations, seeks to create a more predictable and accessible system for securing design rights across jurisdictions.
The agreement was reached at a diplomatic conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where WIPO Director General Daren Tang hailed the historic moment.
“After 20 years, and two long weeks we made history today, and we welcome…the Riyadh Design Law Treaty.” He went on to emphasise the treaty’s role in empowering designers and fostering international collaboration in design.
At its core, the treaty standardizes procedures for design registration, addressing inconsistencies that have long complicated cross-border filings. By reducing administrative burdens and streamlining application processes, the treaty is expected to lower costs and enhance transparency for designers seeking protection in multiple markets.
At its core, the treaty standardizes procedures for design registration, addressing inconsistencies that have long complicated cross-border filings. By reducing administrative burdens and streamlining application processes, the treaty is expected to lower costs and enhance transparency for designers seeking protection in multiple markets.
Although it does not harmonize substantive design laws, the agreement establishes uniform rules on filing requirements, application contents, and the representation of design elements. It also introduces measures to ensure timely protection, preventing delays that could result in the loss of rights.
The treaty will enter into force once ratified by at least 15 member states, after which signatories will integrate its provisions into their national legal frameworks. WIPO anticipates that the agreement will provide a significant boost for designers globally, offering greater legal certainty and efficiency in securing intellectual property rights.
Photo: Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
23 November 2024
