Protect Your Brand Across International Markets.
Your brand deserves protection wherever your business grows. Explore international trademark registration assistance, WIPO Madrid System filing options, and country-specific requirements to help you pursue trademark protection in your selected markets.
Trademark protection is territorial. Each designated jurisdiction determines whether protection is granted under its laws.
Explore filing routes and trademark requirements in jurisdictions important to your business.
As your business enters new markets, trademark protection becomes an important part of protecting brand identity, managing risks, and planning for sustainable expansion.
Trademark rights generally apply within particular jurisdictions. Seeking protection in markets where you operate or plan to expand can help safeguard the names, logos, and other marks associated with your business.
Trademark research and appropriate filing strategies can help identify existing marks that may present challenges in different countries, allowing businesses to make more informed decisions before expanding.
Considering trademark protection early can support brand planning when entering new countries, introducing products, appointing distributors, or establishing a commercial presence abroad.
Trademark registrations in relevant jurisdictions may support future licensing, distribution, and franchise arrangements by helping define the rights associated with a brand in those markets.
Businesses selling through online marketplaces or international websites may benefit from understanding trademark rights in the countries where their products are marketed and sold.
A coordinated approach can help businesses prioritize countries, evaluate filing routes, plan renewal responsibilities, and adapt trademark protection as their commercial activities develop.
Registering a trademark in one country does not generally create registered trademark protection in every other country.
International filing systems can simplify certain procedures, but the offices responsible for designated countries or regions still determine protection under their own laws.
Understand the Madrid SystemUnderstand potential filing routes, relevant jurisdictions, and the next steps for your brand.
Discover how WIPO's Madrid System helps eligible trademark owners seek protection in multiple participating markets through a centralized international application process.
The Madrid System is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It provides a centralized procedure through which eligible applicants can request trademark protection in selected member jurisdictions.
Rather than automatically creating worldwide rights, the system connects one international application with the trademark examination procedures of the countries or regional offices designated by the applicant.
Explore the Official WIPO Madrid SystemAdministered by WIPO for participating member jurisdictions.
Four essential stages from your basic trademark to examination in the markets you select.
Hold a qualifying trademark application or registration in your Office of Origin.
FOUNDATIONYour eligible IP office checks, certifies, and forwards the international application to WIPO.
CERTIFICATIONWIPO reviews formal requirements and records compliant international applications.
FORMAL REVIEWEach selected jurisdiction examines protection under its own trademark laws.
NATIONAL OR REGIONAL REVIEWWIPO's certificate of international registration confirms recording in the International Register. It does not, by itself, mean every designated country has granted trademark protection.
International registration begins with eligibility. Applicants must meet the requirements for filing through a Madrid System member and have a qualifying basic trademark application or registration.
You need a qualifying connection to a Madrid System member, such as nationality, domicile, or a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment.
Your international application must be based on an existing application or registration filed with the appropriate Office of Origin.
Select participating members where you want protection, considering your business activities and the trademark requirements of those markets.
WIPO examines application formalities, records compliant applications, and notifies the designated offices.
National or regional offices apply their own legal standards, including possible objections or refusals.
Outcomes can differ between jurisdictions. International registrations can also be managed and renewed centrally through WIPO.
Understand your eligibility, selected jurisdictions, and the application process before taking the next step.
Every market has its own trademark laws, examination standards, and filing requirements. Explore important jurisdictions as you plan your international brand protection strategy.
A trademark does not automatically receive protection everywhere. Your filing strategy should consider where you operate, sell products, plan expansion, and may face potential trademark conflicts.
Explore trademark registration and protection through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including applicable federal filing requirements.
An EU trademark application can seek protection across EU member states through the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), subject to applicable requirements.
Explore UK trademark registration through the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). UK protection generally requires its own territorial basis, separate from an EU trademark.
Consider trademark protection in Canada through the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), with filing and examination procedures governed by Canadian trademark law.
Businesses entering the Chinese market should consider trademark search and filing requirements, classification practices, and the importance of planning brand protection early.
Explore trademark registration in Australia through IP Australia, taking into account national examination requirements, goods and services, and applicable filing routes.
Trademark rights are territorial. Rather than selecting countries at random, evaluate your current business footprint, product distribution, customer markets, and future expansion plans.
Available routes depend on the applicant's eligibility, target jurisdictions, and the specific trademark. These options may overlap, but they are not interchangeable in every situation.
Apply through a country's trademark office under its domestic filing procedures, examination standards, and fee structure.
Use an eligible regional trademark system, such as the EU trademark system, to seek rights covering its participating territory.
Eligible applicants can use a centralized international application to designate participating jurisdictions, each of which reviews protection.
The Madrid System does not provide a single trademark right covering every country. Applicants select participating jurisdictions, and each designated IP office evaluates the mark under applicable law. A refusal in one jurisdiction does not necessarily prevent protection elsewhere.
Review international filing options, relevant jurisdictions, and the next steps for your business.
Understand the stages involved in planning an international filing, selecting target markets, preparing application details, and navigating examination requirements.
Every application has its own requirements. These six stages explain the general planning and filing journey, including the responsibilities of the relevant trademark offices.
Begin by gathering information about your trademark, the goods or services associated with it, your existing trademark applications or registrations, and the countries where you intend to seek protection.
A well-organized application begins with accurate owner and trademark details.
Explore potential conflicts through appropriate trademark searches and assess whether the application meets the conditions for the selected filing route. A Madrid System application generally requires a qualifying connection to a member and a basic trademark application or registration.
Search results and eligibility reviews inform planning but do not guarantee registration.
Determine which participating countries or regions to designate and review the goods and services for which protection is requested. Filing fees and examination considerations can differ depending on the selected jurisdictions and classifications.
International protection should reflect your commercial priorities.
Organize applicant details, the trademark representation, basic mark information, selected members, goods and services, and any other filing requirements. The international application's goods and services cannot extend beyond the scope of the basic mark.
Accurate details help reduce avoidable formal irregularities.
For a Madrid System filing, the application is submitted through the eligible Office of Origin, which checks and certifies it before forwarding it to WIPO. WIPO examines formal requirements and, if satisfied, records the international registration and notifies the designated offices.
Submission procedures depend on the relevant Office of Origin and filing route.
Each designated IP office examines the trademark under its own law. A jurisdiction may grant protection, issue a provisional refusal, or require further action. Responses or appeals may require qualified local representation, depending on the circumstances.
International recording and the grant of protection in a territory are different events.
Different authorities perform different functions. Understanding their responsibilities helps applicants interpret filing updates and examination results.
Verifies correspondence with the basic mark, certifies the international application, and forwards it to WIPO.
Examines formal requirements, records compliant applications in the International Register, and notifies designated members.
Examine the mark under domestic law and determine the extent of protection in their jurisdictions.
Under the Madrid System, designated IP offices generally have 12 or 18 months from WIPO's notification to communicate a provisional refusal, depending on applicable rules. Certain opposition-related exceptions can extend this period. Individual circumstances and national procedures may affect the final outcome, and no specific approval timeline can be guaranteed.
Read WIPO's Official Filing ProcessPrepare your brand details, review target jurisdictions, and explore the appropriate filing route for your business.
Understand the information, eligibility criteria, and trademark details commonly needed to prepare an international application through the Madrid System.
International trademark filing requirements depend on the applicant, the basic trademark, and the markets selected. Organizing these details early can help you understand the application process and identify issues that may need attention.
A Madrid System international application must be based on a trademark application or registration held with the appropriate Office of Origin.
You need a qualifying connection to a Madrid System member through nationality, domicile, or a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment.
Provide the mark to be protected, whether a word mark, logo, or another eligible type. The international mark must correspond to the basic mark.
Identify the goods or services associated with your trademark using the relevant Nice Classification classes. The international list cannot exceed the scope of the basic mark.
Choose Madrid System members where you intend to seek protection. Each designated jurisdiction has its own examination requirements and applicable fees.
Prepare the owner's identifying details, basic mark reference, relevant filing declarations, applicable fees, and any additional information required by the filing route.
Use this checklist to organize the key details before exploring Madrid System registration or another appropriate filing route.
For Madrid System filing, you generally need a qualifying basic trademark application or registration. An existing completed national registration is not always necessary. However, the international registration remains dependent on the basic mark for its first five years, and changes to the basic mark can affect international protection.
Learn About Madrid System Filing RequirementsUnderstand the information required for your target markets and review the available filing options before proceeding.
Understand WIPO application fees, designated-country charges, optional professional assistance, and the timelines involved in seeking international trademark protection.
The total cost depends on your trademark, the countries or regions you select, the goods and services classes involved, and any additional filing assistance or local representation required.
Madrid System international applications have a basic filing fee. The amount depends on whether the trademark representation includes color.
Additional WIPO fees depend on the Madrid System members you designate and the goods or services classes included in your application.
Independent application assistance, trademark research, and other professional services may have separate charges depending on the selected scope of work.
| Fee Type | General Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Basic FeeStandard international application | 653 / 903 CHF | Depends on whether the trademark representation includes color. |
| Complementary FeeStandard designation charge | 100 CHF | For each applicable designated member where a complementary fee is payable. |
| Supplementary FeeAdditional classes | 100 CHF | For each class beyond three when supplementary class fees apply. |
| Individual FeeMember-specific charges | Variable | Replaces the standard complementary fee for designated members in applicable cases. |
| Other CostsAdditional filing expenses | Variable | Potential Office of Origin charges, service fees, responses to refusals, or local representation. |
International registration involves multiple stages. WIPO's formal processing and each designated office's examination are separate procedures.
Prepare the basic mark details, selected jurisdictions, goods and services, and applicable fees before filing through the Office of Origin.
Duration variesWIPO checks the international application's formal requirements. Any irregularities may need correction before recording.
Processing time variesDesignated offices examine the mark and generally must notify provisional refusal within the applicable 12- or 18-month period, subject to exceptions.
Usually 12 or 18 months**The 12- or 18-month period generally concerns notification of provisional refusal after WIPO notifies the designated office. It is not a guaranteed completion date. Opposition proceedings, refusals, and local procedures may extend final resolution.
International trademark protection requires ongoing attention to registration terms, designated territories, and renewal obligations.
Madrid System international registrations are valid for ten years and may be renewed through WIPO for additional ten-year terms.
Renewal charges depend on the applicable WIPO fees, designated members, and classification-related fee rules.
Eligible holders may request subsequent designation of additional Madrid System members, subject to their applicable fees and procedures.
Explore available assistance, review your target markets, and learn what may affect your international trademark registration expenses.
Find answers to common questions about international trademark protection, the Madrid System, filing requirements, costs, and registration timelines.
Exploring international markets? Discover how Trademark Intellectuals can assist with understanding international trademark filing options, preparing relevant information, and taking the next steps toward protection in your selected jurisdictions.
Trademark Intellectuals provides independent services and is not a government agency or WIPO. Registration decisions are made by the relevant intellectual property offices. Filing acceptance, processing times, and trademark protection are not guaranteed. Information on this page is general and does not constitute individualized legal advice.