From the design that creates KitKat’s iconic ‘snap’ to the organic form of the Maxi-Cosi infant car seat, the Hague System has protected over two million designs since its inception.
This month, the Hague System celebrates “100 Years of Design Protection.” The System, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) – a United Nations agency that leads and develops the global intellectual property ecosystem – has enabled the international protection of over two million designs since 1925.
Designs filed under the Hague System
Among the familiar designs registered under the Hague System are the multifunctional Swiss Army Knife, the two-strap Birkenstock sandal designed in 1973 that is still in production today, LEGO’s colourful little figurines, and the intuitive user-interface of the PlayStation console recognised by gamers worldwide. In 2024 alone, a record 27,161 designs were filed under the Hague System, with Europe leading significantly – accounting for more than half of all designs filed worldwide.
“Behind every design lies creativity, craftsmanship and entrepreneurship – and often a dream: a designer or entrepreneur who wants to create something new. By protecting that creativity, we give innovation the space to grow. That’s valuable not only for businesses, but also for The Hague – a city where law and collaboration meet the power of innovation. That’s why we have valued The Hague as our home...”
- Hugues Derème, Director General of BOIP
The Hague - A hub for intellectual property policy
Home to organisations like the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) – an intergovernmental body for trademarks and designs in the Benelux – the European Patent Office (Dutch branch), and the Netherlands Patent Office (Octrooicentrum Nederland), The Hague is a key European hub for intellectual property, trademarks, and copyright policy. It provides a thriving, impact-driven innovation ecosystem as seen in the recent ImpactFest featuring hardware and climate-tech start-ups that are building products and systems that contribute to a better world.
About the Hague System
The Hague System is an international registration system created by the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, signed by 11 countries on 6 November 1925 in The Hague. Today, the System comprises 82 members covering 99 countries.
The System offers a simple and cost-effective way to secure international design protection across multiple jurisdictions with a single application. This reduces cost and complexity and helps designers and businesses safeguard their work across borders, encouraging innovation and supporting international trade.
Photo credit: Maxi-Cosi infant car seat by Miliaan BV, Kitkat by Société des Produits Nestlé SA
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