The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Hague Agreement is a treaty that aims to simplify and streamline the process of registering industrial designs. It provides a way for creators and designers to protect their designs in multiple countries with just one application.

Under the Hague Agreement, applicants can submit a single international application to protect their industrial design in multiple countries. This eliminates the need to file separate applications in each country, which can be time-consuming and costly.

To be eligible for protection under the Hague Agreement, the industrial design must be new and have an individual character. In other words, it must not have been disclosed to the public before the application is filed, and it must not be a common or well-known design.

Once the application is submitted, it is examined by the International Bureau of WIPO. If the design meets the eligibility requirements, the Bureau will register it and publish it in the International Designs Bulletin. The design will then be protected in all the countries that the applicant designated in the application.

One of the main advantages of the Hague Agreement is that it allows applicants to protect their designs in countries where they may not have a physical presence. This can be especially helpful for small businesses and individual creators who may not have the resources to file separate applications in each country where they want to protect their design.

Another advantage is that the Hague Agreement provides a centralized system for managing and maintaining industrial design registrations. This makes it easier for applicants to manage their registrations and renewals, as well as to monitor any potential infringement of their designs.

Overall, the WIPO Hague Agreement offers a convenient and efficient way for creators and designers to protect their industrial designs on an international scale. By simplifying the registration process and providing a centralized system for management, the Agreement helps to promote innovation, creativity, and fair competition in the global marketplace.