Is Canada in Madrid Protocol?

By Michael Ferguson

If you are a business owner or entrepreneur looking to expand your brand internationally, you may have heard of the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty established to simplify the process of filing trademark applications across multiple countries.

But the question remains: Is Canada part of the Madrid Protocol?

The answer is yes! Canada joined the Madrid Protocol on June 17, 2019, making it easier for Canadian businesses to protect their trademarks in other countries and for foreign businesses to protect their trademarks in Canada.

What is the Madrid Protocol?

The Madrid Protocol is a treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that allows trademark owners to seek protection for their marks in multiple countries through a single international application. This process streamlines the application process and reduces costs for applicants seeking protection in multiple countries.

Since its inception in 1989, over 120 countries have joined the Madrid Protocol including major economies like China, Japan, and the United States.

How does it work?

Under the Madrid Protocol system, an applicant can file one application with their national trademark office and designate multiple countries where they wish to seek protection. The national office reviews and certifies the application before forwarding it to WIPO for international processing.

Once approved by WIPO, individual trademark offices in each designated country can then review and decide whether to grant protection based on their own national laws. This process allows applicants to save time and money by avoiding separate applications with each individual country’s trademark office.

What are some benefits of joining the Madrid Protocol?

Joining the Madrid Protocol has many advantages for both Canadian businesses seeking international protection and foreign businesses seeking protection in Canada:

  • Simplicity: Filing one international application instead of separate applications with each country’s trademark office simplifies and streamlines the process.
  • Cost savings: Filing one application is often less expensive than filing separate applications in multiple countries.
  • Efficiency: The Madrid Protocol offers a centralized system for managing trademark applications and registrations, reducing administrative time and costs.
  • Flexibility: Applicants can add or remove countries from their international application at any time, making it easier to adjust to changing business needs.

Conclusion

In summary, Canada is part of the Madrid Protocol. Joining the Madrid Protocol has many benefits for businesses seeking international trademark protection and can simplify the process of seeking protection in multiple countries. With Canada’s recent accession to the treaty, Canadian businesses can now take advantage of this streamlined process when expanding their brand internationally.