Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including the Republic of Moldova, adopted, on November 22, a historic Treaty in the field of designs that will make easier, faster and more affordable for designers to protect their creations both at home and abroad. The Riyadh Treaty marks a major step forward in empowering designers and fostering international collaboration in the field.

The document was adopted at the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt a Design Law Treaty (DLT), organized by WIPO from November 11 to 22, 2024, in the city of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang welcomed the adoption of the Riyadh Law Treaty, so called in recognition of the city that hosted the final stage negotiations, and congratulated negotiators on reaching agreement, praised the leadership of Diplomatic Conference President, Dr. Abdulaziz AlSwailem, Director of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).

“After 20 years, and two long weeks, we made history today. We welcome the 28th WIPO Treaty – the Riyadh Design Law Treaty,” said Daren Tang at the conclusion of the Diplomatic Conference hosted at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.

The WIPO Director General emphasized the importance of the Treaty, noting that it represents not only a victory for designers, but also a success for multilateralism. “This Treaty simplifies design protection, supporting both independent designers and SMEs, and puts creativity at the forefront.”

Dr. Abdulaziz AlSwailem stated that the name of the Treaty reflects Saudi Arabia’s role as a bridge between cultures and a hub for supporting global initiatives. “Adopting this Treaty is a historic achievement, opening new avenues for collaboration among Member States and providing a vital legal framework for innovation and creativity.”

Given that the Republic of Moldova is this year the coordinator of the Central European and Baltic States Regional Group (CEBS) within WIPO, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Moldova to the UN Office in Geneva, in collaboration with the State Agency on Intellectual Property, played an active role in the process of negotiating the content of the text of the Riyadh Treaty, adopted at the Diplomatic Conference. Simion Levitchi, Head of the Trademarks and Industrial Design Department of AGEPI, served as Vice-Chairperson of the Main Committee I, playing a key role at the Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the Treaty in the field of industrial designs.

Benefits of the Riyadh Treaty

The Treaty will simplify design protection procedures, making them more affordable to designers around the world. The main provisions of the Treaty include:

• Setting a maximum list of elements required for filing applications for protection.
• Allowing the applicants to choose how they represent the design through drawings, photographs or video.
• Allowing the applicants to include several designs in a single application.
• Providing a grace period of 12 months following a first disclosure of the design, without losing the right to apply for its registration.
• Introducing flexibilities in case of exceeding deadlines.
• Promoting the use of e-filing systems.
• Simplifying the procedures for renewal of registrations.

The Treaty will enter into force after its ratification by at least 15 contracting parties. This marks a new era for design and intellectual property globally.

Today, November 22, 2024, the Director General of AGEPI, Eugeniu Rusu, signed the Riyadh Design Law Treaty on behalf of the Republic of Moldova.

More details here: https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2024/article_0017.html .