AIPLA Submits Comments on the World Intellectual Property Organization Riyadh Design Law Treaty

Alexandria, VA. June 11, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments on the World Intellectual Property Organization Riyadh Design Law Treaty.

AIPLA recommends that the United States become a party to the WIPO Riyadh Design Law Treaty, noting in its comments that accession would harmonize design-protection formalities, reduce cost and complexity for U.S. applicants seeking protection abroad, improve U.S. competitiveness, and reinforce U.S. leadership in the global IP system. The comments emphasize that the RDLT is a procedural formalities treaty, not a substantive-law treaty, and that it broadly aligns with existing U.S. design patent law, including filing-date rules and the 12-month grace period. AIPLA identifies limited implementation issues, such as inventor declarations, drawing and claim requirements, procedural-relief standards, and nontraditional design representations, but suggests these can generally be addressed through declarations, regulatory clarification, or USPTO rule changes rather than major statutory amendments. AIPLA also concludes that the RDLT is consistent with U.S. international obligations, complements the Paris Convention, TRIPS, and Hague Agreement, and should be ratified by the United States without reservations.