The commemoration of the centenary of the Hague System for the international registration of industrial designs This marks a historic milestone that invites reflection on the evolution of design, its economic relevance, and its role as a driver of business competitiveness. For over a century, this system, administered by WIPO, has enabled designers and companies to protect the appearance of their products in multiple markets through a single procedure, fostering a global ecosystem of innovation, beauty, and utility.
A century protecting creativity: anniversary context
The Hague System was established in 1925 with the aim of providing a simplified way to protect designs across borders. The first applications, such as those for women's hat fabrics, stand in stark contrast to today's registrations for graphical interfaces, robots, and electric vehicles. Over the years, the system has grown from 11 initial signatories to 82 member states and intergovernmental organizations from 99 countries.
Today, the numbers speak for themselves:
- More than 2 million industrial design registrations since the system's creation.
- Only in 2024, 27.161 requests, an increase of almost 7% compared to 2023.
- A benchmark economic volume: in 2024, investment in designs exceeded $685.000 billion in the US, UK and EU.
Over the past one hundred years, the system has evolved with new regulations, technological improvements (such as electronic submission), geographical expansion, and the participation of design powerhouses like the US, China, South Korea, and Japan. New types of design, especially digital, have also been incorporated, reflecting how the traditional concept of "product appearance" has expanded to include, for example, graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Industrial designs that marked an era: six emblematic cases
To celebrate this centenary and highlight the impact of protected design, professionals from the Industrial Design Area of Elzaburu analyze iconic objects whose protection through industrial design has been key to their legacy.
1. Playmobil figures Paloma Querol
The Playmobil design has remained virtually unchanged since its inception. Its formal simplicity—rounded head, permanent smile, standardized proportions—is the foundation of its success. Industrial design protection has been essential in safeguarding a recognizable aesthetic that has transcended generations and expanded to dozens of countries. As Paloma Querol emphasizes, it is a prime example of how minimalist design can sustain an infinite creative universe.
2. Piaggio Vespa scooter — Pedro Saturio
Pedro Saturio highlights the Vespa as an example of design that transcends function. Inspired by post-war urban mobility, its "wasp" silhouette, self-supporting chassis, and accessible handling transformed it into a cultural icon. Protecting its industrial design has been fundamental in maintaining its identity against imitations in a highly competitive market.
3. Swiss Army knife — Manolo Mínguez
Manolo Mínguez explains that the Swiss Army knife stands out for its industrial design focused on functionality. Its elongated and compact shape, designed to house multiple tools in a single, small body, and its folding structure have made this object a benchmark of utilitarian design. Protecting its industrial design has been essential to preserving this characteristic configuration against products that have tried to replicate its technical solution and overall appearance.
4. Sony PlayStation — Bosco de la Vega
Bosco de la Vega focuses on Sony's first PlayStation as an example of how industrial design can define an entire product category. Launched in 1994, its external configuration—the flat rectangular shape, the centrally located disc, and the distinctive button layout—helped create a consistent and recognizable user experience in a rapidly expanding market. Its protection as an industrial design has helped solidify the console's visual identity and preserve an appearance that, over time, has become a cultural touchstone.
5. Xiaomi Electric Scooter — Ruth Sánchez
The rise of micromobility has positioned the electric scooter as an everyday object. The Xiaomi Electric, registered in 2019, stands out for its sleek design, clean lines, and portability. As Ruth Sánchez points out, protecting these types of designs is essential given the rapid emergence of competitors and constant technological evolution.
6. Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle Sandals — Sara Navarro
Sara Navarro highlights the importance of design in traditionally functional products. The Arizona Big Buckle model combines ergonomics, sustainability, and a distinctive style thanks to its iconic oversized buckle. Its registration as an industrial design has allowed it to solidify a recognizable aesthetic and protect the investment in comfort and brand.
A century later, industrial designs remain essential.
After one hundred years of history, the Hague System demonstrates that the protection of industrial designs It not only preserves the external appearance of a product: it drives innovation, protects investment, strengthens brands, and allows competition in global markets.
In an environment where visual differentiation is more strategic than ever, having a protected design makes the difference between leading or falling behind.
At Elzaburu we have a team specializing in industrial designs that advises on the best way to register, protect and defend creations in the different markets in which your company operates.
