Thailand to Join the Madrid Protocol

Starting November 7th of this year, a 99th member will be added to the Madrid Protocol. Becoming the 115th country, Thailand will officially become a member of the Madrid Protocol. If you have ever wanted to expand your trademark rights to more than one country, you are probably familiar with the Madrid Protocol. If you are not, the Madrid Protocol is a consolidated way for a trademark owner to protect their marks in multiple countries.

The Madrid Protocol was adopted in 1989 with the intention of creating a simple and budget friendly international trademark registration system, and for the most part, that is exactly what it does.

One of the advantages to filing through the Madrid Protocol is its convenience. You will only be filing one application, through one attorney, paying one set of fees in your own currency, and, are able to file applications in any country that is a member of the Protocol.

Another advantage is the expansive area that the Madrid Protocol covers. With the addition of Thailand, there will be 115 possible countries that you can receive trademark protection in. This is about 80% of the world’s trade.

The addition of Thailand as a member to the Madrid Protocol will provide the following benefits to trademark owners:

  • If you have previously filed a trademark application through the Madrid Protocol, and, are selling your goods and services in Thailand, you may now expand your protection to Thailand by filing an extension of protection through the Madrid Protocol.
  • If you are looking to file a new application through the Madrid Protocol, and, are selling goods and services in Thailand, you may now include Thailand in your international trademark filing.
  • If you are located in Thailand or filing your original trademark application in Thailand, you may now use the Madrid Protocol to file applications in all the other member countries as well.

As more jurisdictions become a part of the Madrid Protocol, US based clients will have more opportunities to register trademarks overseas in a centralized manner. If the Madrid Protocol process sounds like something that may benefit your business, contact the attorneys at Gerben IP who routinely assist clients in the Madrid Protocol filings.

Josh Gerben, Esq.

Josh Gerben, Esq. is the founder and principal of Gerben IP. In 2008, Mr. Gerben started the firm to provide high-quality trademark services at reasonable prices. Today, he is recognized by the World Trademark Review as a top trademark filer, having registered over 7,500 trademarks. The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and may not be relied on as legal advice.

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