How to Use the Madrid System for International Trademarks
One application, 130+ countries. The trademark equivalent of the PCT — significantly cheaper than filing separately in each country.
- File or register a trademark at your "home" office (office of origin)
- Identify target countries for international protection
- Confirm target countries are Madrid System members
5-year dependency risk: For the first 5 years, the international registration depends on the home registration. If the home registration is cancelled or refused, the international registration falls with it ("central attack").
- File through your home office (they forward to WIPO)
- Designate the countries where you want protection
- Pay base fee: CHF 653 (B&W) or CHF 903 (colour)
- Pay individual designation fees per country (CHF 70–400+)
Cost advantage: Protection in 10 countries costs ~CHF 3,000–6,000 total through Madrid. Filing 10 separate national applications would cost 0,000–30,000.
- WIPO conducts formality check
- Application forwarded to each designated office
- Each office examines under its own national law
- Monitor notifications from each designated office
- Respond to any provisional refusals (through local agents)
- Protection granted independently per country (if not refused)
- After 5 years: international registration becomes independent of home registration
Central Attack During the 5-Year Dependency
If your home registration is cancelled, refused, or narrowed in the first 5 years, all international designations fall with it. Choose a stable home registration and defend any challenges aggressively during this period.
Relying on Madrid for China
For Chinese trademark protection, consider filing directly at CNIPA in addition to or instead of Madrid. Direct Chinese filing is faster, avoids the central attack risk, and Chinese examination of Madrid designations can be slower than direct filings.
Not Appointing Local Agents
When a designated office issues a provisional refusal, you typically need a local agent in that country to respond. Not having local contacts in place can lead to missed deadlines and lost protection.
Madrid System Application Filed.
Your trademark protection is extending across multiple countries from a single application. Monitor WIPO notifications and respond promptly to any provisional refusals through local agents.
Visual companion to the Article
How to Use the Madrid System for International Trademarks