Title of Assignment: Associate Design Law Expert

Name of unit/sector: Hague Legal Affairs Section, The Hague Registry, Brands and Designs Sector

Place of Assignment: WIPO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration of assignment: 8 months, from April 15 to December 14, 2025. The assignment is renewable up to a maximum of 24 months

1. Objective of the assignment

The assignment is located in the Hague Legal Affairs Section, The Hague Registry, Brands and Designs Sector.  The Hague Registry is responsible for the management and development of the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Hague Legal Affairs Section handles all legal affairs relating to the Hague System.
The Hague System allows users to seek protection for their industrial designs in the various Contracting Parties by means of a single application filed with the International Bureau of WIPO, and to subsequently manage the resulting registration under a single title, recorded centrally in the International Register.
The Working Group on the Legal Development of the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs (hereinafter referred to as the “Working Group”) is the forum in which the Hague Union members and observer WIPO members and non-governmental organizations discuss the legal development of the Hague System.
At its thirteenth session in 2024, the Working Group requested that the International Bureau prepare a document analyzing the possible removal of the mono-class requirement for designs that may be contained in a single international application.  The Working Group also requested that the International Bureau follow up with several projects pertinent to the declaration under Article 16(2) of the Geneva Act regarding the effects of the recording of a change in ownership and relevant standard document.  Furthermore, the Working Group agreed to continue to discuss matters pertinent to the declaration under Article 13(1) of the Geneva Act regarding the unity of design at a future session.
The Contractor will carry out legal research relating to the aforementioned Working Group topics and participate in drafting documents which will be submitted to the fourteenth session scheduled to take place in October 2025 or otherwise for consideration at a future session.  The Contractor will also provide legal support associated with the fourteenth session of the Working Group and participate in that session as a member of the Secretariat.

2. Deliverables/services

The Contractor is responsible for the following deliverables/services:

(a) Undertake a preparatory work for drafting a document analyzing the possible removal of the current mono-class requirement for multiple design applications.  The document should also contain a proposal to amend the Hague Regulations to that end.  The document should be finalized by July 31, 2025.

(b) Undertake a legal analysis on the possible introduction of the mechanism to select designs per designated Contracting Parties in an international application.  The analysis should be finalized by October 31, 2025.

(c) Provide legal support associated with the fourteenth session of the Working Group and participate in that session scheduled in October 2025, including necessary follow-ups.  The follow-ups will continue until December 14, 2025.

(d) Participate in the follow-up works regarding the declaration under Article 16(2) of the Geneva Act and relevant standard document, following the instruction of the thirteenth session of the Working Group.  The projects will continue until December 14, 2025.

3. Reporting 

The Contractor shall work under the supervision of the Head of the Hague Legal Affairs Section, The Hague Registry, Brands and Designs Sector.

4. Profile

Education:
Advanced university degree in law is essential with specialization in intellectual property law.

Knowledge and Experience:
At least two years of experience in intellectual property law.
Good knowledge of/experience with the Hague System.
Knowledge of IP procedures more broadly is desirable.
Experience at an IP law firm/agent or IP Office would be an advantage.

Language:
Excellent command of verbal and written English.

Skills and Competencies:
Excellent analytical, drafting and organizational skills with the ability to work within strict deadlines.

5. Duration of contract and payment

The duration of the contract is 8 months, from April 15 to December 14, 2025.
It is specifically agreed that the sum to be paid for the Contractor’s deliverables/services is based on actual hours or days of work rendered, as confirmed monthly by the supervisor upon receipt of the deliverables/services.  Any excess hours or days rendered over the maximums stipulated in the Terms of Reference of the Contractor or in this Contract, as may be necessary in order to satisfactorily complete all the agreed tasks, should be agreed and approved in advance.

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate).