The 2025 International Design Forum offered an overview of the treatment of industrial designs across the globe.
The program consisted of three sessions that brought together industrial design experts from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the private sector. Speakers examined recent trends and developments in industrial design protection and offered a firsthand report on the adoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty in November 2024.
Topics included:
- Design trends and developments around the world
- The move away from physicality requirements for protection of designs
- A delegate’s view of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty
- Enforcement at the border: Insights into U.S. Customs and Border Protection and designs
The program included several interactive question-and-answer sessions to facilitate discussion between panelists and attendees.
This program had in-person and virtual attendance options. There was no charge to attend, but registration was required.
This program was hosted by the USPTO’s Global Intellectual Property Academy, a unit of the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA). The office advises the administration and other federal government departments and agencies on domestic and certain international IP legal and policy issues. It also provides technical assistance and training on IP-related matters to U.S. stakeholders and both U.S. and foreign government officials.
Agenda
Agenda subject to change
1:00 – 1:05 p.m. | Welcome |
|---|---|
| 1:05 – 1:20 p.m. | Opening Remarks Speaker: Mary Critharis, Acting Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs |
| 1:20 – 2:10 p.m. | Session 1: Beyond the USPTO: Design trends and developments around the globe Topic: Designs in 2025 – a move away from “physicality requirements” Moderator: Ram Mistry, Patent Attorney, Office of Policy and International Affairs Speakers:
|
| 2:10 – 2:25 p.m. | Session 1 Q&A* |
| 2:25 – 3:15 p.m. | Session 2: Industrial design developments in international forums Topic: A delegate’s view of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty – what happened, how we got there, and what it means for design protection across the globe Moderator: Keith Mullervy, Patent Attorney, Office of Policy and International Affairs Speakers:
|
| 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. | Session 2 Q&A* |
| 3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | Session 3: Modernizing industrial design protection Topic: Enforcement at the border: Insights into CBP and designs Moderator: David Gerk, Acting Deputy Chief Policy Officer for Creative Works and Global Outreach Speakers:
|
| 4:15 – 4:30 p.m. | Session 3 Q&A* |
| 4:30 – 4:35 p.m. | Closing |
| * Q&A sessions involving interactive discussion with panelists and attendees |
Additional information
For more information, visit the registration page or contact Leslie White in the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs.
Accessibility accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request to the contact information listed above.