After nearly two decades of negotiations, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member states adopted the Riyadh Design Law Treaty on 22 November 2024.

The new treaty is so called in recognition of the city that hosted the final stage of negotiations – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) hosted the diplomatic conference from 11 to 22 November 2024, with participation from 193 WIPO member states. The treaty aims to simplify requirements and registration procedures to make design protection easier, faster, and more affordable. It introduces significant benefits for applicants, including:

• More flexibility in how designs are represented in applications (e.g., drawings, photographs, or videos);

• A possibility to include several designs in a single application, under certain conditions;

• A 12-month grace period following the first disclosure of a design;

• A possibility to keep designs unpublished for at least six months after securing a filing date;

• Relief measures to prevent the loss of rights in case of a missed deadline;

• Simplified procedures for design renewals; and

• The introduction of e-filing systems and the electronic exchange of priority documents.

The treaty will enter into force once ratified by 15 WIPO member states.

Source: WIPO website