2903 Declarations under the Hague Agreement Made by the United States of America [R-07.2015]
The Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, and the declarations made thereto, took effect with respect to the United States on May 13, 2015.
Pursuant to Article 5(2)(a) and Rule 11(3), the United States declared that an international design application designating the United States must contain a claim and that the specific wording of the claim shall be in formal terms to the ornamental design for the article as shown, or as shown and described. See 37 CFR 1.1021(d) and MPEP § 2909, subsection IV. Additionally, pursuant to Rule 8(1), the United States declared that an international design application designating the United States must also contain an oath or declaration of the creator and indications concerning the identity of the creator. Id.
Pursuant to Article 11(1)(b), the United States declared that where the United States is designated in an international design application, it is not possible for an applicant to request the deferment of publication of the ensuing international registration.
Pursuant to Article 13(1), the United States declared that only one independent and distinct design may be claimed in a single application. See MPEP §§ 2920.05(b) and 1504.05.
Pursuant to Rule 18(1)(b), the United States declared that it is extending the time period within which to provide a refusal (12 months) and when the international registration shall produce effect as a grant of protection. The United States provides industrial design rights through USPTO issuance of a U.S. design patent. See 35 U.S.C. 171-173 and 389 and MPEP §§ 2920.05(a) and 2950.
Pursuant to Article 7(2) and Rule 12(3), the United States declared that the prescribed designation fee referred to in Article 7(1) shall be replaced by an individual designation fee that is payable in a first part at filing and second part payable upon allowance of the application. See MPEP §§ 2910 and 2920.06. The amounts of the first and second part individual designation fees are subject to future changes. See Article 7(2).
Pursuant to Rule 13(4), the United States declared that the period of one month referred to in Rule 13(3) shall be replaced by a period of six months with respect to the United States in light of the security clearance required under United States law.
Pursuant to Article 16(2), the United States declared that changes in ownership recorded by the International Bureau pursuant to Article 16(1)(i) must be recorded with the USPTO through submission of documentation supporting that change in ownership to have effect. See 35 U.S.C. 261 and MPEP §§ 301-302.
Pursuant to Article 17(3), the United States declared that that the maximum duration of protection for designs is 15 years from grant. 35 U.S.C. 173.
