International Trademarks Guide

The very first thing to understand about international trade marks is that there is no such thing.

Madrid Protocol for Registering International Trademarks

There is instead a system whereby a person can make an international application (for national or regional trade marks). This system is administered by the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) called the Madrid system (for various boring legal reasons in fact composed of two treaties - the Madrid Protocol and the Madrid Agreement). However not all countries have signed up to this system of filing, in fact signatories currently number 138.

There are some notable exceptions to the list of countries that you can use a Madrid filing, such as Brazil, Canada, New Zealand. In light of this we always advise our clients to decide on the countries in which protection is needed before commencing any consideration of international filings. Typically speaking a Madrid filing will only work out to be economic when there are 2 or 3 countries covered by it.

You will also need to have a pending or completed 'home' trademark registration first (i.e. UK or Europe) before making a Madrid filing. This is what the Madrid application will be based upon and if it fails within 5 years, the Madrid application will not be able to continue either, but may be converted to national or regional filings in the countries you need protection for.

Alternatively or in addition to a Madrid filing you may wish from the start to file a portfolio of national or regional filings in the countries that you need protection for.

How Do You Register International Trademarks?

Trademarkroom has a network of international agents that we work with for international trademark registration, and we are able to file through these agents in any country effectively and efficiently.

Trademarkroom act as a central hub for your requirements, whatever and wherever they are, talking to you in a language you can understand, removing all hassle from your needs, ensuring you get the protection your business needs for a price that suits.