FAQ

Are there worldwide Intellectual Property Rights?

Is there a worldwide patent?

There is as yet no "world-wide" patent. Patent rights must be protected separately in every country of interest.

There is an "international patent application" available under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, but this still results in a set of national patents. There is, however, a European patent covering most European countries available under the European Patent Convention.

Is there a worldwide design?

There is as yet no "world-wide" design system. Design rights must, in general, be protected separately in every country of interest.

There is an "international design" available under the Hague Agreement, but so few countries are signatories to the agreement, it can hardly be called a "world-wide" design system.

Is there a worldwide trade mark?

Not exactly. There is as yet no truly "world-wide" trade mark system. Trade mark rights must still be protected separately in many important countries.

However, there is a rapidly expanding "international trade mark" system available under the Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol, which may well eventually become truly world-wide, but it does still allow objections to be made by member countries if they do not approve of a particular mark.