Are you planning to expand your business and protect your intellectual property rights internationally? The Madrid Protocol is a treaty that simplifies the process of filing trademark applications in multiple countries.
But how many countries are members of the Madrid Protocol? Let’s explore!
What is the Madrid Protocol?
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty that allows trademark owners to file a single application for their mark in multiple countries. It was adopted in Madrid, Spain, in 1989 and came into effect on April 1, 1996.
How does it work?
Under the Madrid Protocol, a trademark owner can file an international application with their national trademark office or directly with the International Bureau of WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). The application must include all the countries where protection is sought.
Once the application is filed, WIPO reviews it for compliance and sends it to all the designated countries’ trademark offices for examination. Each office has up to 18 months to approve or reject the application. If approved, the mark will be protected in each country for up to 10 years from the date of registration.
How many countries are members of the Madrid Protocol?
As of September 2021, there are 108 members of the Madrid Protocol. This includes 107 member states plus one regional organization – the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). OAPI covers 17 West African countries and allows protection across its territory as a single unit.
Here’s a list of all member states:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ecuador Egypt Estonia Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)European Union (EU)Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana
Greece Grenada Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hungary Iceland
The Benefits of the Madrid Protocol:
- The Madrid Protocol simplifies the process of filing trademark applications in multiple countries, saving time and money for trademark owners.
- Filing an international application under the Madrid Protocol is generally less expensive than filing separate applications in each country.
- Trademark owners can add or remove countries from their international application as needed.
- The Madrid Protocol provides a centralized system for managing trademarks across multiple countries, making it easier to maintain and protect your brand on a global scale.
Simplicity:
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Flexibility:
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Conclusion
The Madrid Protocol is a game-changer for businesses looking to expand their brand internationally. With over 100 member states, it offers a simple, cost-effective, and efficient way to protect your intellectual property rights across borders. So, if you’re planning to take your business global, consider using the Madrid Protocol for trademark registration.