The Madrid system of trademark registration is a convenient mechanism for protecting trademarks internationally. Having a basic trademark application or registration in one country (usually your country of residence), you have the opportunity to file one international trademark application covering up to 130 countries, members of the Madrid system, and pay one set of international fees. The amount of the fee will depend on the countries mentioned in the application and the number of classes of goods and services.
The advantage of the Madrid system is that in the future, it is possible to territorially extend the effect of a trademark to the countries of the Madrid Union throughout the term of the international registration.
It is worth remembering that the basic registration is the basis for the international registration, and there will be a “dependence” on the basic registration.
An international application is filed through the national IP office with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), either by yourself or through a representative in English. Also, you need to pay one state fee in the currency of your country + international fee in CHF to WIPO
What are the advantages of registering a trademark under the Madrid system?
- One application
- One currency
- Centralised management
- Global coverage
- Possibility of extending to other countries in the future
What are the steps?
You have filed a trademark application under the Madrid system.
- You have filed a trademark application under the Madrid system. It gets to the IP Office and is considered for 2 months.
- Then it is considered by WIPO for about 2-3 months. During this time, a formal examination takes place.
- After the formal examination, WIPO sends an application for international registration to the countries where the applicant wishes to register its TM.
- Subsequently, an application is designated IP Offices for a qualification examination and the certificate is then officially recognised in the USA, UK and other countries within 12-18 months.
Contact us and we will help you register your trademark using the best strategy.