The Madrid Protocol: what are the benefits to Mexico?

01-10-2012

Karla Crespi

The Madrid Protocol: what are the benefits to Mexico?

Despite the improved trademark registration system it enables, many Mexican IP practitioners regard the country's approval of the Madrid Protocol with suspicion. Karla Crespi reports.

After more than a decade of debate, on April 25, 2012, the Mexican Senate approved the Madrid Protocol concerning the International Registration of Trademarks (the Protocol), a treaty that facilitates the filing, registration and maintenance of trademarks in multiple jurisdictions around the world.

The Madrid Protocol is an international mechanism that allows trademark owners in a member state to apply for trademark protection in their country of origin and in any and all other member states by filing one single application.

The resulting international registration is a single registration with one registration number that covers numerous countries and is valid for 10 years with the possibility of renewal. As long as the international registration is maintained, the owner can expand the geographic scope of protection at any time by filing a request for subsequent designation in any other additional member state.


Madrid Protocol, IMPI, Mexican Industrial Property Law, WIPO

WIPR