GENEVA - The United States of America and Japan have joined the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs, adding two of the world’s biggest economies to a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)-administered registry that supports creators worldwide.

A press release WIPO stated that the nations acceded to the Hague System by depositing official instruments at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, where officials from the two countries met with WIPO Director General Francis Gurry. The accessions broaden the geographical scope of protection of industrial designs, bringing membership in the Hague System to 64 contracting parties.

“Designers in Japan and the USA can now readily protect and promote their industrial designs in dozens of other countries around the globe that are Hague members,” said Mr. Gurry. “And designers in those countries now have easier access to protection in two of the largest global economies. This is a win for businesses and designers everywhere and signals a major advancement for one of WIPO’s premier registry services.”

“Designs are becoming increasingly important in the global economy and a well-conceived design is globally recognizable,” said US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Pamela Hamamoto, adding: “The Hague System will mean more filing efficiencies and potential cost savings for US applicants in pursuing protection for their innovative industrial designs around the world, as well as for foreign applicants seeking protection in the United States.”

Japan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Yoichi Otabe said: “Sales and employment stemming from Japan’s design industry have nearly tripled in a decade.” He noted that “Japan has been actively promoting Japanese culture and traditions, including the attractiveness of Japanese designs. With this accession to the Hague Agreement, Japan has great expectations for the contributions we will make toward efforts to advance further collaborative, international initiatives on intellectual property.”

According to WIPO statistics, 7.1% of the world’s design applications were filed in 2013 with the national offices in the United States (3.8%) and Japan (3.3%). Some 12.9% of all design applications worldwide were filed by applicants from the United States (8.2%) and Japan (4.7%). The accession of the United States and Japan is expected to boost further expansion of the Hague System and encourage other countries to consider joining the Hague Agreement.