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SECTION A
USE OF THE HAGUE SYSTEM
A.2.4 Designations in international registrations
The Hague System allows applicants to register up to 100
designs in multiple jurisdictions by filing a single application.
When filing an international application, applicants
designate the Hague members in which they wish to
seek protection. Therefore, designations made via the
Hague System give a picture of the breadth and flow of
design protection.
Figure A.2.4 presents trends in the total number of designations
contained in Hague international registrations.
In 2013, the total number of designations amounted to
15,081, representing a 17.9% increase on 2012. This
marks the fourth consecutive year of growth, and the
2013 growth rate is the fastest witnessed in the past
10 years. The increase in the number of designations
in recent years can be attributed to both an increase in
registrations issued (see Figure A.2.1) and the expansion
of the Hague System itself. For example, Norway
became a Hague member in 2010 and, by 2013, it is now
the fourth most designated Hague member (see Figure
A.5.1). Similarly, Oman, a recent member of the Hague
System, has become the 13 th most designated member.
The average number of designations per registration
has been increasing since 2010. On average, there were
5.5 designations per registration in 2013, a considerable
increase from the 2010 level, but substantially lower than
for years prior to 2008. Between 2003 and 2007, the average
number of designations per registration varied from
11.1 to 12.4. In 2008, there was a sharp decrease in the
average number of designations per registration, which
can be attributed to the EU’s accession to the Hague
Agreement. This made it possible to seek protection
within all EU member countries at once via the single
designation of the EU rather than having to designate
each individual EU member country separately.
Figure A.2.4 Designations in international registrations
Hague designations Growth rate (%)
30,000
11.9 12.4 12.3 11.9 11.1 8.0 6.0 4.9 5.0 5.2 5.5
Average designation per Hague registration
Hague designations
20,000
10,000
0
.
-40.3 -20.4 -2.6 -6.2 -4.2 -17.3
6.8 8.5 9.2 17.9
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Registration year
Source: WIPO Statistics Database, March 2014
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