The Madrid System of international registration of marks is applicable among the countries party to the Madrid Agreement or the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol are parallel but independent treaties, with different but overlapping membership.

An International Registration under the Madrid System gives a trademark owner the possibility of registration in more than 50 countries by filing one application with a single Office, in one language, with one set of fees in one currency (Swiss francs). An application is filed on the basis of a national application or registration.

MINIMAL FILING REQUIREMENTS

• Name and address of the owner of the mark
• List of goods and services
• The particulars of the national application or registration
• At least one representation of the mark (in color if claimed)
• All other documents may be filed subsequently.

Some documents may require translation.

An International Registration application governed exclusively by the Protocol may be in either English or French, while an International Registration application governed exclusively by the Agreement must be in French.

An International Registration application does not require the filing of a Power of Attorney.