The Third Special Session of the Standing Committee of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs (IDs) and Geographical Indications (GIs) was held from October 2 to 6, 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland (SCT/S3).
The meeting of the SCT/S3 Committee was opened by Binying Wang, WIPO Deputy Director General, who mentioned the importance of the SCT Special Session to finalize draft documents including Articles and Regulations on the Design Law Treaty (DLT). Binying Wang pointed out that according to the decision of the WIPO General Assembly, which was held in July 2022, the Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of the Design Law Treaty (DLT) is to be convened no later than in 2024.
According to the Agenda, during the special session, the draft Articles and Regulations on Industrial Design Law and Practice were discussed in particular. Discussions focused on Articles and Regulations containing proposals that were not yet unanimously accepted, including statements by Member States.
As a result of the work of the SCT/S3 Committee, according to the approved methodology, the previously formulated proposals supported by more than one delegation were included in the basic text. Also, a number of new proposals were presented, including during the meetings. Detailed information on the provisions to be discussed at the Diplomatic Conference are included in the Summary by the Chair.
The Republic of Moldova was represented by Simion Levitchi, head of the Trademarks and Industrial Design Department within AGEPI, who acted as Vice-Chair of SCT/S3.
In the current week, the meetings of the Preparatory Committee of the Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a Design Law Treaty (DLT/2/PM) took place.
The meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a Design Law Treaty (DLT/2/PM) was opened by Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, who stated: “Design protection is more than a legal right, it’s a gateway to new markets and good jobs, to sustaining communities. Many designers have little or no legal support, and any time spent registering their creations is time spent away from creating. We want to make the registration process as easy as possible. I call on all Member States to work together in getting this treaty over the finishing line, for the benefit of designers everywhere.”
According to the Agenda of the Preparatory Committee, the following were discussed and approved:
Ø Summary by the Chair of the Third Special Session of the Permanent Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT/S3);
Ø Draft Final Provisions for the Design Law Treaty to be examined within the Diplomatic Conference;
Ø Draft Rules of Procedure of the Diplomatic Conference;
Ø The List of States and Observers to be invited to the Diplomatic Conference and the texts of the draft letters of invitation;
Ø Agenda, date and place of the Diplomatic Conference.
The meetings of the Preparatory Committee were led by Simion Levitchi, who acted as Chair.
As a result of the activity of the Preparatory Committee, all the necessary documents to convene the Diplomatic Conference were finalized. Thus, it was decided that the Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a Design Law Treaty (DLT) is to be convened from November 11 to 22, 2024 in the city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The meetings of both events took place in a hybrid mode (with presence in the hall and online participation).
Detailed information can be consulted at the following addresses:
https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=76268;
https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=76428.
