Implementation of Madrid Protocol by the United States
The United States has become party to the Madrid Protocol administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation in Geneva (WIPO). The Protocol offers a simple and cost effective way to make trade mark applications in numerous countries via a single application submitted to WIPO.
Over 60 countries now belong to the Madrid Protocol, including the UK, most of the rest of Europe and Japan. The applicant receives an "international registration", which is a slightly misleading term, as the effect of the registration is to grant a right equivalent to a national right in each of the countries selected. The procedure allows applicants to avoid making separate applications in each of the relevant countries and thereby to save time and costs in making applications, organising renewals and recording transactions involving their marks.
The Madrid Protocol was ratified by the United States in October 2002 and the implementing legislation comes into effect on 2 November 2003, the date from which Madrid filings relating to the United States will be accepted.
For more information generally about the Madrid Protocol (and the older related treaty, the Madrid Agreement), together with up-to date details of all countries which are signatories, visit WIPO's website at www.wipo.int.
Please contact Stephen Whybrow at stephen.whybrow@cms-cmck.com or Lucy Kilshaw at lucy.kilshaw@cms-cmck.com for further information.
