M&G is a comprehensive stationery supplier, which integrates the value of creativity into its products and service advantages. It produces writing tools, student stationery, office stationery and other related products. With world-class design strength, M&G has won many heavyweight design awards, including iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, Good Design Award and IDEA Design Award.
On 5 May 2022, the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (“Hague Agreement”) came into effect in China. On the same day, Shanghai M&G Stationery Inc. (“M&G”) completed the international design application through the Hague system with the largest number of selected country combinations.
The Chinese government deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Agreement to the World Intellectual Property Organization on 5 February 2022, effective as of 5 May 2022. This means that China's industrial design and creative design rights holders can conveniently and efficiently apply and distribute industrial designs overseas through the Hague system, and foreign rights holders can also apply for design registration in China through the Hague system. Thus, following the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Hague Agreement provides another favorable way for Chinese enterprises to protect their overseas intellectual property.
The Chinese government deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Agreement to the World Intellectual Property Organization on 5 February 2022, effective as of 5 May 2022. This means that China's industrial design and creative design rights holders can conveniently and efficiently apply and distribute industrial designs overseas through the Hague system, and foreign rights holders can also apply for design registration in China through the Hague system. Thus, following the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Hague Agreement provides another favorable way for Chinese enterprises to protect their overseas intellectual property.
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) was engaged by M&G to apply for two designs under the Hague Agreement for its international design protection. However, since the Hague system has just entered China, there is no precedent for Chinese entities/individuals to make such an application. With rich experience in handling foreign-related business and cross-jurisdictional matters, the KWM team objectively analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the Hague system from an international perspective. After extensive retrieval, research and interviews with well-known overseas companies about their actual applications, KWM assists M&G in making full use of the Hague system and at the same time, avoiding the potential risks. Based on the characteristics of M&G products, KWM advised on the application plan, document drafting, selected country combinations, submission method, etc. According to M&G’s overseas business strategy and the features of the design applications to be made, the optimal “Hague route” was found after fully comparing the differences in the legal practices of various countries. The international application was completed on the first day when the Hague Agreement came into force. The KWM team is highly recognised by the client for its professionalism and dedication.
This project was led by partners Ma Lirong and Cecilia Lou with support from Gu Yinfeng and Lai Jiaojiao.
