The Madrid trade mark filing system is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) based in Geneva, Switzerland.  It is a cost effective manner to register trade marks internationally through a single application process.  An international registration (which may designate over 100 Madrid member countries worldwide) can also be renewed through a single renewal application.  Changes such as a change in the name or address of a trade mark owner or a limitation of the list of goods and services, can be recorded in the International Register through a single procedural step.  The system is also flexible enough to cater for the transfer of ownership for only some of the designated countries or for only some of the goods or services, or to limit the registered specification only in respect of only some of the designated parties.  The geographical scope of an existing International Registration may be extended in the future by including additional designated countries – even countries which have only become Madrid members at a future point in time.

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Written by Stephen Hollis, senior associate, Adams & Adams