UAE brand owners might need to get their trademark protected in several countries. However, filing a separate trademark application in each country is dear and time-consuming. This disadvantage has been eliminated after the UAE joined the Madrid Protocol on September 28th, 2021. The Madrid Protocol facilitates international trademark registrations in multiple countries through one application in one language. Trademark agents within the UAE advise you to go through the following blog to understand the Seven key things you must know about international trademark applications:
An Agreement & Protocol Constitute the Madrid System
The Madrid System for international trademark registration is governed by two treaties: The Madrid Agreement and therefore the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Agreement was concluded in 1891 and therefore the Madrid Protocol relating to the Agreement concluded in 1989. The Madrid Union is formed up of countries and organisations party to the Madrid System that are collectively called the Contracting Parties.
As of May 2022, there are 112 Madrid Unions that cover 128 countries. The Madrid System is run by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). consult trademark agents in the UAE for further information on the structure of the Madrid System.
You would like to File Through a National IP Office
Even though the Madrid Protocol offers a centralised international trademark registration system for worldwide protection, you can’t file your application directly with the WIPO. To file a trademark under the Madrid System, you would like to either have an already registered trademark or an active trademark application filed in the Office of Origin. The Office of Origin refers to the National IP Office of 1 of the countries party to the Madrid Protocol where the applicant has a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment or a domicile in, or who may be a national. A trademark registration granted by the IP office of the country of origin is mentioned as the basic mark.
Your Registration depends on the Basic Mark
Your international trademark registration are going to be dependent upon the basic mark for the first five years. This dependency continues to be a serious concern for brand owners wishing to protect their trademarks internationally. This dependency is risky for you as any negative action on the essential mark will have the same effect on your international trademark registration. for instance , if your basic mark gets cancelled the identical will happen to your international registration in all the designated countries. This risk triggered by the dependency is named the Central Attack. Trademark agents within the UAE can advise you on how to deal with the Central Attack under the Madrid Protocol.
You would like to Deal With the Contracting Parties
The Madrid Protocol indeed allows you to guard your trademark across various countries through a single filing. However, you continue to need to navigate the trademark laws and procedures of each designated contracting party. Each country will have the chance to examine your international trademark application based on relevant local IP laws and procedures. Some regions like Africa may pose immense challenges as many countries in that region lack competent IP legislation and corresponding implementing regulation.
You’ll Add More Countries Later
Brand owners holding a world trademark registration are allowed to add additional contracting parties later. WIPO allows you to designate additional countries at any time through a process called subsequent designation. However, you would like to ensure that the additional country you designate must be a contracting party to the Protocol at the time of requesting subsequent designation. A subsequent designation could also be useful when new countries join the protocol or you develop a business interest in another country after obtaining international registration.
You’ll Choose From Three Official Languages
Since 2004, the Madrid System has been operating under a trilingual system, consisting of English, French and Spanish. It means the international trademark application should be filed in English, French or Spanish, as prescribed by the Office of origin. The Office of Origin may allow you to enter only one or only two of those languages or file in any of them. Moreover, any communication sent to the International Bureau within WIPO should be written in English, French or Spanish, as chosen by the party sending the communication. Furthermore, the applicants or international trademark holders can prefer to receive communications from the WIPO in any one of these languages.
You’ll Renew the International Registration Easily
An international trademark registration as per the Madrid Protocol is valid for 10 years. you’ll renew your international trademark registration every 10 years by paying the requisite fees to the International Bureau at WIPO. More renewal information are often obtained from trademark agents in the UAE.
Hire the simplest Trademark Agents in the UAE
Brand owners seeking an end-to-end solution for his or her Madrid Protocol application can seek help from trademark agents in the UAE such as Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP). JIP offers bespoke trademark services in Dubai at cost-effective rates. Our services include trademark registration, trademark search, and trademark watch services. With our assistance, you’ll file a trademark not only in the UAE but across the GCC and more than 120 countries that are part of the Madrid Protocol. Enjoy hassle-free trademark registration using JIP’s robust trademark protection strategies.
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