Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks

The Madrid System is a one stop solution for registering and managing marks worldwide.  File one application, in one language, and pay one set of fees to protect your mark in the territories of up to 98 members.  Via Madrid system you could manage your portfolio of marks through one centralized system.

For more information on Madrid System and the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks adopted at Madrid on June 27, 1989, as amended on October 3, 2006 and on November 12, 2007, please visit the WIPO’s website.

The Madrid Union currently has 98 members, covering 114 countries. These members represent more than 80% of world trade, with potential for expansion as membership grows. Tunisia Joined the International Trademark System in Geneva on 21 October 2013.

Tunisia’s Minister of Industry Mehdi Jomâa and WIPO Director General Francis Gurry hailed on 21 October 2013 the entry into force of the Madrid Protocol in Tunisia, while reviewing bilateral cooperation and discussing WIPO’s future technical assistance to Tunisia.  

Tunisia deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks on July 16, 2013 and the treaty entered into force for Tunisia on October 16, 2013.  The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid system), now with 92 members, offers trademark owners a cost effective, user friendly and streamlined means of protecting and managing their trademark portfolio internationally.

Mr. Gurry welcomed Tunisia’s accession, noting that “Tunisia’s accession further broadens the global reach of the Madrid system.”  The Director General said: “Brand owners from all Madrid system members will now be able to extend their protection to the important Tunisian market, through a single, simplified and cost-effective procedure.”

Mr. Jomâa noted that Tunisia’s participation in the system of Madrid is a welcome development for Tunisian businesses, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as international businesses wishing to acquire brand protection in Tunisia.

This system has experienced exceptional expansion recently. In the last 18 months, the Colombia, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines and Rwanda have each acceded, resulting in a significant geographical expansion of the system. 

Despite the uncertain global economic condition, the system of Madrid has shown signs of strength:  2012 saw the highest number of international trademark applications ever filed under the Madrid system, with 44,018 applications, or a 4.1 % increase compared to 2011.  Furthermore, a record number of 41,954 international registrations were recorded.

Benefits of the Madrid System

Exporting businesses, small and large, need a reliable, convenient and cost-effective mechanism to protect trademarks in markets of interest. Madrid System is the one-stop solution for trademark holders to obtain and maintain protection in multiple markets.

Madrid System is convenient, cost effective and Broad geographic coverage   

Convenient

The Madrid System is a centralized filing and management procedure.  Through the Madrid System you can file one international application, in one language (English, French or Spanish), and pay one set of fees in Swiss francs to obtain international registration in multiple territories.

As your business strategy evolves, the Madrid System can be used to expand protection into new markets. Your portfolio of marks can also be managed and maintained through one centralized system.

Cost effective

Filing an international application is the equivalent of filing a bundle of national applications, effectively saving you time and money. Through the Madrid System there is no need to pay for translations into multiple languages or to spend extra time working through the administrative procedures of multiples offices.

Broad geographic coverage

The Madrid System offers the potential for simultaneous protection in up to 114 territories of its 98 members, including the European Union (EU) and African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), the majority of developed countries and many developing and transition countries.

These countries represent in excess of 80% of world trade and membership is growing every year.

Learn more on :

• Tunisian Trademarks law
• Nice Classification
• Madrid Agreement for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source on Goods
• Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol
• Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin

Our practice covers :

• Trademark search in Tunisia
• Filing trademark application in Tunisia
• Tunisian Trademark registration
• International Trademark registration
• Trademark Opposition in Tunisia
• Trademark cancellation
• Trademark assignment in Tunisia
• Trademark license in Tunisia
• Trademark registration changes
• Trademark renewal in Tunisia
• Trademark due diligence in Tunisia
• Trademark protection in Tunisia
• Trademark watching services in Tunisia
• Trademark Portfolio Management in Tunisia
• Customs seizure proceedings in Tunisia
• Trademark infringement