Q 1. When should I file International Registration under Madrid Protocol?

Ans. Essentially, you should apply for an international trademark as soon as possible after your main application with the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan has been filed. You are then free to apply for registration in any other country.

Q 2. Does a local application require the filing of an international registration under the Madrid System?

Ans. Yes, the applicant must first apply for the trademark in Pakistan/local territory. Furthermore, the existence of international registration is conferred on local registration, so if the underlying registration is canceled or ceases to be valid, the international registration is automatically canceled.

Q 3. What is meant by filing a "single" application?

Ans. A “single” application means that it refers to an international application in which the applicant can choose from more than 123 countries in which to register his trademark at a given point in time. The procedure for adding additional jurisdictions is governed by the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Rules.

Q 4. Who gets benefits from the Madrid system?

Ans. This system is more beneficial to applicants as it is a cost-effective trademark protection mechanism, however, export-oriented businesses and small businesses will greatly benefit from this system.

Q 5. Would you like to apply for registration in the Madrid Protocol?

Ans. Yes, of course, if your brand or trademark is being used and proposed to be used in contracting countries.

Q 6. Do I need a lawyer to file an international application under the Madrid Protocol?

Of course yes, in order to assess the chances of success in individual countries and/or respond to any objections raised by individual countries, it is advisable to seek legal advice.

International Trademark Filing System PK

What does the Madrid Protocol do?

An international agreement called the Madrid Protocol (the Protocol) entered into force on 1 April 1996 and has become a convenient and economical means of securing trademark registration in member countries. The Madrid Protocol is an efficient Madrid system of international registration of numbers administered by the International Bureau (IB) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Speaking of Pakistan, it formally acceded to the Madrid System on 24 February 2021 and ratified it on 24 May 2021. This means that trademark holders can apply for protection in 124 countries by filing one application and paying one set of fees. In addition to the same system, applicants can modify, update or expand their global trademark portfolio through a centralized system.

Pakistan became the 108th member of the Madrid System. Now trademark applications under the Madrid Protocol are being received in Trade Marks Registry of Pakistan from May 24, 2021. And now this system has been implemented in Pakistan.

Applicants for international registration must meet one of the following three criteria:

Applicant must be a citizen of Pakistan
It is necessary for the applicant to be resident in Pakistan
It is also important for the applicant to have a genuine and effective business or commercial establishment in Pakistan.