According to the new law which will shortly come into force, an international application for a design patent can be filed either directly at the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or with the German Patent and Trademark Office at the free choice of the applicant. Previously, only a direct application at the WIPO was available. The German Patent and Trademark Office will record an application date and transfer the application to the WIPO. The international registration having the Federal Republic of Germany as designated state has the same effect as a design patent which was registered at the German Patent and Trademark Office.