Guide to the International Registration of Marks

The Madrid system is a multi-national trade mark system is based on two international treaties: -

First Madrid Agreement and

2. Madrid Protocol.

The system is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

This system means that no longer apply to different countries for the brand that much time can take advantage and register a lot more expensive. With the introductionapplication in a jurisdiction with a set of fees, the Madrid system has proven to be a more cost effective way mark, much to handle international - provided of course that the country you want to record is part of the Madrid.

Of course there are risks by using the system to revoke the refusal or cancellation of registration or registration within five years from the date of entry of the international registrationrefusal will lead to the withdrawal or cancellation of international registration to the same extent.

Another disadvantage is that not all countries participate in the contract, check to see if your country is listed below: -

Albania
Antigua & Barbuda
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bhutan
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Bulgaria
China
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
CzechRepublic
Denmark
Estonia
European Union (through
MC)
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Iran
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Korea (North)
Korea (South)
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Sao Tome and Principe
Serbia and Montenegro
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
> Spain
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vietnam
Zambia

Those not listed are not part of the contract - so you may end up making separate applications for these countries.

If your country is listed above, then you will be able to use the system if you have a current registration label in your country or a trademark applicationpending.

Applications must be requested from the national trade mark office of the application of 'home' or recording, the application to WIPO Pass. WIPO maintains a formal investigation, and then the application is approved, given all countries. The offices of the countries in which it was applied, and then have 18 months to oppose the registration. An international application can only be for members of the Madrid Protocol (as listed above).

All rights in aInternational registration dated the date of filing, not the date on which the registration is granted.