The 15th session of the Working Group on the Legal Development of the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs (H/LD/WG/15), organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was held from 26 to 28 October 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Republic of Moldova was represented at this meeting by Alexandru Șaitan, Head of the Industrial Designs Section of the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI).

The session was attended by representatives of the member states of the Hague Union, national and regional intellectual property offices, as well as WIPO experts, who examined proposals and initiatives aimed at developing, modernizing and streamlining the procedures of the Hague System.

The agenda of the meeting included important topics for the evolution of the international mechanism for the protection of industrial designs, including the removal of the mono-class requirement for international applications, the enhancement of two-dimensional (2D) image representation of designs, and the simplification of the procedures for filing and examining international applications.

An important topic of discussion was the removal of the mono-class requirement, which would allow the inclusion in a single international application of industrial designs belonging to different classes of the Locarno Classification. The proposal aims to make the filing procedure more flexible, reduce formalities and costs for applicants, and facilitate the use of the Hague System.

The Working Group also examined the possibility of filing designs according to each Contracting Party designated in an international application. This approach could provide applicants with more flexibility in managing their portfolios of industrial designs and in adapting their applications to the requirements of the designated jurisdictions.

The session also analyzed solutions for enhancing the visual representation of industrial designs, as well as proposals for reducing translation costs, while maintaining quality and accuracy of information. In this context, options for using technological tools to optimize translation processes and the possibility of introducing new languages ​​into the Hague System were also examined.

Another item on the agenda of the meeting was the examination of the revised proposal presented by the Brazilian delegation, which aims to develop the normative framework of the Hague System and improve its functioning by providing the possibility of direct communication with the applicant.

During the discussions, the Republic of Moldova supported the initiatives and proposals examined, appreciating their importance for the modernization and efficiency of the Hague System. At the same time, given the complexity of the topics addressed and the need for an in-depth analysis of all legal and procedural aspects, the participants agreed to continue the examination and debates during the next session of the Working Group, in order to ensure a comprehensive approach and identify balanced solutions.

The topics addressed during the meeting are of particular interest to AGEPI, in the context of the process of developing and modernizing the national normative framework in the field of industrial designs, as well as the harmonization of the legislation of the Republic of Moldova with the acquis of the European Union.

AGEPI’s participation in the 15th session of the Working Group provided the opportunity to familiarize itself with international developments in the field, to exchange experience with representatives of intellectual property offices and to strengthen cooperation with WIPO.

By engaging in these activities, AGEPI contributes to promoting the interests of the Republic of Moldova within specialized international forums and to the development of a modern and efficient industrial design protection system.