Madrid Trademark Applications in 2016

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has released the 2016 figures for trademark applications filed through the Madrid Protocol.

The Madrid Protocol is a trademark filing system which aims to centralise the trademark application process across its member countries. It allows applicants to file for the same trademark across multiple countries in a single application, a single language (English, French or Spanish), and with a single set of fees (in Swiss Francs). Currently, the Madrid Union has 98 members, which covers 114 countries; including Australia.

 

According to WIPO’s latest statistics, there were 52,550 Madrid applications filed in 2016, a 7.2% growth from the previous year. The top ten countries by number of Madrid applications filed in 2016 were: U.S., Germany, France, China, Switzerland, Italy, U.K., Japan, Australia and the Netherlands. China saw the greatest filing growth of 68.6%, followed by Italy (14.4%) and the Netherlands (14.1%). The top filers included France’s L’Oréal with 150 applications; Glaxo Group of the U.K. with 141; and Germany’s BMW with 117.

 

For those looking for to file for an international trademark, the Madrid Protocol system is a convenient and cost effective option. Once an trademark application is filed in any member country, the applicant may within 6 months of that application seek registration in any member country with retrospective protection from the original trademark filing date.

 

Where a country is not a member of the Madrid Union, a direct national trademark application may need to be made in order to secure trademark protection in that jurisdiction.

 

For information on our International Trademark Filing services.