When Was the Madrid Protocol Enacted?

By Michael Ferguson

The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty that provides a streamlined process for companies to register their trademarks in multiple countries. It was enacted on April 1, 1996, and has since become a crucial tool for businesses looking to expand their brand globally.

What is the Madrid Protocol?

The Madrid Protocol is an agreement between countries that simplifies the process of filing trademark applications across multiple jurisdictions. Under the protocol, a company can file a single international application with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and designate which countries they want to protect their trademark in.

Why was the Madrid Protocol created?

Before the enactment of the Madrid Protocol, companies had to file separate trademark applications in each country they wanted to do business in. This was not only time-consuming but also expensive. The Madrid Protocol was created to streamline this process and make it easier and less costly for companies to protect their intellectual property rights abroad.

How does the Madrid Protocol work?

Under the protocol, a company can file an international application with WIPO through their national trademark office. The application must include details about the trademark being registered and which countries it will be protected in. Once WIPO receives the application, they will review it and either approve or reject it.

If approved, WIPO will then send the application to each designated country’s national trademark office for review. Each country has 18 months to either approve or reject the application. If approved, the trademark will be protected in that country just as if it had been filed directly with that country’s national office.

What are the benefits of using the Madrid Protocol?

The main benefit of using the protocol is that it simplifies and streamlines the process of filing trademark applications across multiple jurisdictions. This can save companies time and money compared to filing separate applications in each country.

Additionally, using the protocol can provide a level of consistency and predictability in the trademark registration process. This is because each country that is a signatory to the protocol must follow certain rules and procedures when reviewing international applications.

Conclusion

The Madrid Protocol has become an essential tool for companies looking to protect their trademarks internationally. By simplifying the process of filing applications across multiple jurisdictions, the protocol has made it easier and less costly for companies to expand their brand globally.