International Trademark

The Madrid System for International Trademark Registration, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), allows trademark owners to protect their mark in up to 130 countries through a single application filed with their home trademark office. India has been a member of the Madrid Protocol since 2013, which means Indian trademark owners with a registered mark (or a pending application) in India can file an international application through the Indian Trade Marks Registry. The international application designates the countries where protection is sought, and WIPO forwards the application to each designated country's national office for examination. Each designated country then makes its own decision on whether to grant protection. The Madrid System is the most cost-effective way to secure multi-country trademark protection, eliminating the need for separate national filings in each jurisdiction. The process typically takes 12 to 18 months for designations that proceed smoothly, though some countries may take longer. For Indian businesses planning global expansion — whether entering 3 countries or 30 — the Madrid Protocol is the strategic starting point.

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