The so-called Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks has greatly reduced the costs for foreign trademarks.

A particular advantage is that, in principle, there is no need to involve a foreign representative. Instead, the international registration can be filed directly with the World Intellectual Property Organization and is then automatically protected in all designated countries. Only if a country raises objections can a protection approval procedure be carried out there, for which a foreign representative is required. In most cases, however, one receives immediate protection in all desired countries.

The Madrid system has recently been joined by a number of important states where trademark protection was previously only available through national trademark applications, notably the Philippines and Colombia (in 2012), Mexico (in 2013), Tunisia (in 2013), Brunei (in 2017), Algeria (in 2015), and the African Patent Organization (in 2015).

The newest member state is now Thailand, which will join the Convention on November 7, 2017. As of this date, Thailand can be designated in international registrations. However, it is also possible to extend existing international registrations to Thailand.

Do you have any questions for patent expert Dr. Bertram Rapp, or would you like more in-depth advice?