Canada takes an important step toward Hague accession and a modernized industrial design regime

News release

Today, the Government of Canada published new Industrial Design Regulations (the Regulations) in the Canada Gazette, Part II. Finalizing the Regulations is an important step toward Canada’s accession to the Hague Agreement and the modernization of Canada’s domestic industrial design regime.

The Hague Agreement will provide Canadians access to an international registration system that allows industrial designs to be protected in multiple jurisdictions through a single streamlined process. The Regulations also help modernize Canada’s industrial regime by updating, codifying and improving aspects of the regulatory framework.

The Regulations were developed in close collaboration with stakeholders and included public consultations with Canadians.

Canada’s Hague accession and industrial design regime modernization agenda also includes amendments to the Industrial Design Act, revisions to the Industrial Design Office Practices manual and improvements in e-services for clients, and will come into force effective November 5, 2018.

In addition to the Hague Agreement, Canada is also working to join four other international intellectual property (IP) treaties administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): the Madrid Protocol, the Singapore Treaty, the Nice Agreement for Trademarks and the Patent Law Treaty. Joining these treaties will help Canadian businesses looking to enter or expand their presence in international markets and supports Canada’s IP Strategy and its goal to help Canadian businesses, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators understand, protect and access IP.

Quotes

“Finalizing the Industrial Design Regulations is a critical step towards acceding to the Hague Agreement and is part of a complete overhaul and modernization of the industrial design regime in Canada. This is the first of five international intellectual property treaties that Canada will be joining and supports Canada’s Intellectual Property Strategy by helping businesses leverage their IP on the global stage.”

- Johanne Bélisle, CIPO’s Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trade-marks and Chief Executive Officer

Quick facts

  • The Hague Agreement is administered by WIPO and will enable Canadians to use a system which allows applicants from member countries to register up to 100 industrial designs in multiple jurisdictions through one application, in one language and with fees paid in one currency.

  • There are more than 50 countries and regional associations in the Hague System, including most of Canada’s major trading partners, such as the U.S., the European Union, South Korea and Japan.

  • Industrial designs are a growing element of IP; according to WIPO, the total number of designs protected worldwide has doubled between 2005 and 2016.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

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