{"id":4472,"date":"2022-06-28T06:38:44","date_gmt":"2022-06-28T05:38:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=4472"},"modified":"2024-11-04T02:08:03","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T02:08:03","slug":"madrid-protocol-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/madrid-protocol-application\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do I Need to Know About the Madrid Protocol?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you operate a business in England, you may have considered expanding your trade mark protections<\/a> internationally. In this case, you can take advantage of the Madrid Protocol, because it allows you to register your trade mark in multiple national jurisdictions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without international registration<\/a>, your trade mark could be open to competitors using it without any legal recourse for their actions. Registering your trade mark internationally will help protect you from potential infringements. In this article, we will discuss how you can use the Madrid Protocol and why it is advantageous for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Madrid Protocol?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Madrid Protocol is a useful tool for making simultaneous international applications for trade mark registration in multiple jurisdictions. The first step is to register your trade mark in the UK. You can then use this registration as the basis of an international registration application under the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Protocol includes many individual countries, but covers three main regions, as outlined below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Region<\/strong><\/td>Countries Included<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Benelux<\/td>Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg<\/td><\/tr>
European Union<\/td>All EU member states, except Malta<\/td><\/tr>
African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI)<\/td>Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, C\u00f4te d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Advantages of Using the Madrid Protocol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you register your trade mark in the UK, it will only grant you protection in the UK. Therefore, if you want to protect your trade mark in multiple jurisdictions, you will need to apply for each separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Time and Money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Madrid system allows you to make one application for registration across multiple countries and jurisdictions. This saves time and the costs attached to individual applications. Making one application is substantially cheaper than making individual applications for each jurisdiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Speed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Madrid Protocol has many member countries whose membership relies upon agreement to examine applications in a timely manner. These timescales are generally within 12-18 months. Therefore, this can be a much faster method of international registration than individual applications for each country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Straightforward Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trade mark applications under the Madrid system are very simple and straightforward. One single application using one language and paying one set of fees can provide your business with multi-jurisdictional registration and, consequently, increase your brand\u2019s visibility in an efficient and effective way. The application is based on your original registration in the UK  with the Intellectual Property Office, so you will already have a strong basis for the Madrid Protocol application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n \"Front\n
\n
Trade Mark Essentials<\/div>\n
\n

LegalVision’s Trade Mark Essentials Guide provides valuable information for any business looking to register or enforce a trade mark. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\nDownload Now<\/a> <\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\n

\n
\n Need legal advice?\n
\n \n Call 0808 196 8584<\/a> for urgent assistance.\n
\n Otherwise, complete this form, and we will contact you within one business day.\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
\n