Up to now, for the protection of registered designs in China, it was necessary to file a national Chinese design application.
The Chinese government has now declared on the occasion of the opening of the Olympic winter games, Beijing 2022 to join the international Design agreement, the Hague System. Thus the total number of members of the Hague Union reaches 77.
The official accession has taken place on 5th February 2022 and the membership will take effect on 5th May 2022.
From this day on China can be designated by way of an international filing of a design application. On one hand foreign designers will have easier access to the Chinese market and thus reach design protection in China at significantly lower costs. On the other hand Chinese applicants will profit from a much easier access to international design protection.
The maximum duration of protection for Chinese designs was at the same time extended from 10 to 15 years.
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