Upon publication of the international registration in the International Designs Bulletin, the Office of each designated Contracting Party will proceed with the substantive examination. Each Contracting Party has the right to refuse the validity of international registration in its territory, if the international registration does not comply with its own legislation.

A refusal of protection, if any, must be notified to the International Bureau within six months from the date of publication of the international registration. Under the 1999 Act, however, any Contracting Party whose Office is an Examining Office, or whose law provides for the possibility of opposition to the grant of protection, may declare that the refusal period of 6 months is replaced by a period of 12 months.

The applicant may respond or appeal in accordance with the domestic legislation of the Contracting Party and has the same remedies as he would have if he had filed the application in question directly with the national Office concerned.