Initial 5-year term
Up to 25 years with renewals
Hague System for international protection
What is protected
Industrial design protects a new shape of a body, image, drawing, contour, color composition or their combination (Art. 2(3)). The product must be:
- New — no identical or similar design has been made available to the public before the filing date (or priority date).
- Individual character — produces a different overall impression on the informed user compared to prior known designs.
Who may file
Natural and legal persons. Foreign applicants — through a registered representative.
What the application contains
- Request for grant of industrial design (form DI-1)
- Applicant details
- Representation of the design (photos or drawings, up to 7 views of the same design)
- Description (if needed for clarity)
- Power of attorney (if filed via representative)in that case
- Proof of fee payment
Procedure
- Filing.
- Formal examination.
- Publication in the Bulletin.
- Opposition window.
- Registration and certificate.
The full procedure usually takes 6–12 months.
Term and renewal
- Initial 5 years from filing date (Art. 172(1)).
- Renewable in 5-year increments, up to 25 years total (Art. 172(2)).
- Renewal request filed in the last year of validity; possible within 6 months after expiration with additional fee.
International protection — Hague System
One WIPO application for protection in many countries. Macedonia is party to the Hague Agreement.
When to contact a professional
- You have a product and aren't sure if the appearance is "new" under the statute.
- The design has already been publicly disclosed; ask whether protection is still possible.
- International protection via the Hague System.
Other areas
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