The Event: On November 22, 2025, the global IP community gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the conclusion of the WIPO Diplomatic Conference. The result was the historic adoption of the Design Law Treaty (DLT).

The DLT aims to harmonize the procedural requirements for registering industrial designs across borders. Previously, designers faced a nightmare of different photo formats, description requirements, and bureaucratic hurdles when filing in multiple countries. The new treaty standardizes these formalities, making it significantly cheaper and faster for designers to protect their creations globally.

European Update: In Europe, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) continued to flex its muscles. In November, the Hague Local Division confirmed its “Long-Arm Jurisdiction,” ruling that it could issue decisions covering patents in non-EU countries if the defendant is based outside the UPC zone, further strengthening the court’s power.

How ASEAN IPR Helps: Design protection is often the most overlooked asset. With the new DLT making cross-border registration easier, ASEAN IPR helps you audit your product designs. We prepare your filings to meet the new standardized WIPO formats, ensuring that your unique product look is protected not just in ASEAN, but in all DLT signatory nations.