With effect of August 1, 2023 Brazil will join the Hague System, extending the geographical scope of WIPO’s international design system to 96 countries. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and its accession strengthens the status of the Hague System as a truly global option for securing design protection.
The Government of Brazil deposited its instrument of accession to the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on February 13, 2023. Brazil is the 71st Contracting Party to the 1999 Act and the 79th member of the Hague Union.
Starting August 1, 2023 owners of design rights will be able to seek the protection of their designs in Brazil by filing just one international application.
To ensure that the international procedural mechanism of the Hague System accommodates their own domestic requirements, Hague System Contracting Parties can make certain declarations. Brazil’s instrument of accession includes the following declarations: One design (with up to 20 variants) can be included per application. Indication of the creator of the design is mandatory. Deferment of publication will not be possible. Level two of standard designation fees will apply and the maximum duration of protection is 25 years.
Dr. Michael Heinrich