The Madrid Protocol - Pros & Cons Explored

Introduction

The Madrid Protocol international registration trade mark system is an incredibly flexible and cost-effective route to securing trade mark protection in a large number of territories worldwide.

The system continues to expand and currently allows applications to be made in 131 countries but there are important and key countries and regions of the world not covered.

The Madrid Protocol offers a convenient centralised system for managing, modifying and renewing your trade mark portfolio. However, the very flexibility of the system can lead to pitfalls.

The system is highly appropriate in certain circumstances but equally not in others.

How do you ensure that you get the most out of the system, use it in appropriate circumstances but not others and watch out for any pitfalls?

This webinar will provide an overview of the system, considering the pros and cons (i.e. when to use and when not).

What You Will Learn

The webinar will cover the following:

• The World Intellectual Property Office (‘WIPO’)
• Which territories are members of the Madrid system and the key absentees both in terms of territories and regions
• The procedure and requirements for filing an international application
• Some key procedural issues which may be relevant to specific marks
• Territorial expansion of an international registration (subsequent designations), renewal considerations, and including tips to maximise cost-efficiency
• Considerations in dealing with provisional refusal in designated territories
• How to monitor your international application
• When to consider using the international registration system and when not - including cost considerations
• Portfolio management issues e.g. assignments, changes of name and renewal

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Friday 15th May 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,101 others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.