In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 11 to 22 2024, WIPO Member States, Intergovernmental Organizations and Observers are gathering at the Diplomatic Conference to conclude and adopt the DLT – Design Law Treaty.

The Diplomatic Conference aims to conclude negotiations that have been underway since 2005, when the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs, and Geographical Indications agreed, at its 15th session, to begin work on industrial design registration procedures. In 2022, the WIPO General Assembly decided to hold a diplomatic conference to conclude negotiations on the DLT.

The DLT, if adopted, will simplify and streamline protection procedures. This will help make the industrial design protection framework more predictable, as well as making the procedures themselves less complex and more accessible. Key elements of the treaty include:

• The definition of the minimum documentation for filing an application;
• Applicants’ choice of how to apply (drawings, photographs or, if permitted by the IP office, video);
• Permission to include several drawings in a single application;
• Requirements for assigning a filing date;
• Grace period of 6 or 12 months after first disclosure without affecting novelty;
• Confidentiality for 6 months after filing at the request of the applicant;
• Restoration measures to avoid loss of rights, in particular deadlines; and
• Simplification of the registration renewal procedure.

The BRPTO is participating in the conference, represented by the Director of the area, Mr. Schmuell Lopes Cantanhêde.