International trademarks - register a trademark in other countries
There is a system in most countries that helps to facilitate registering a trademark in other countries. The system is based on the Madrid Agreement and Madrid Protocol, which involve trademark agreements between nations.
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Registering a trade mark in other countries is useful for exporters and businesses that are seeking expansion abroad, together with extra territorial protection for their trademarks.
International registration of a trade mark or brand can be carried out under the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Protocol is an international arrangement for registering trademarks in several different countries. It operates under the Madrid system for international registration of trade marks, under which the Republic of Ireland is a Protocol party. As trade mark agents, we can apply to register international trade marks, on your behalf, for the following:
- For businesses in Ireland,
- For brands, logos and trade marks in use in Ireland (or intended to be used here),
- For registration of a trade mark in the EU, as a Community Trade Mark,
- For any business that applies for Irish trade mark registration, and
- For businesses making international applications for registering trade marks in other countries based on an Irish application (see below),
This is the case in particular for international trademark registration in countries that are parties to the Madrid Protocol.
Once a business has its application to register a trade mark approved by the regulatory authorities in the Republic of Ireland, we can apply as trade mark representatives to have the mark registered internationally for certain other countries. Since late 2004, it is now possible to apply to register a trade mark in the European Community, following the EU agreement to be a party to the Madrid Protocol. This has certain attractions by comparison with a direct CTM application, under which a trade mark may be refused registration if it is refused in any one of the member states of the EU. It can be useful to base an international application for registration on an Irish filing, because you can extend the territories for which you intend to use the trade mark (if not at the time of application, then subsequently designation other additional countries for registration of the trademark). These countries, for international trademark registration under the Madrid Protocol, can include the following:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Albania
- Armenia
- Antilles (Netherlands)
- Austria
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bosnia and Herzegovenia
- Bulgaria
- Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba
- Bahrain (kingdom of)
- Bhutan
- Benelux
- -Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg
- Belarus
- Botswana
- China
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- European Community
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iran
- Israel
- Iceland
- Italy
- Ireland
- Japan
- Kenya
- Korea (Democratic Peoples Republic)
- Korea (Republic of)
- Kyrgystan
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- Liechenstein
- Liberia
- Lesotho
- Lithuania
- Macadonia (The former Yugoslav Republic of)
- Madagascar
- Morocco
- Monaco
- Moldova (Republic of)
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Norway
- Oman (Sultanate of)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saint Martin
- Sao Tome and principe
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Sierra Leone
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria (Arab Republic)
- Serbia
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Turkmenistan
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- USA (United States of America)
- UK (United Kingdom)
- Uzbekistan
- Viet Nam
- Zambia
Some of these countries may have particular trade mark registration requirements that must be met, and we can advise you of this as part of the process. For example, to register a trade mark in Australia an address for service is required, and other countries may require a declaration of intention to use the trade mark.
Circumstances when a trademark should be considered
There are many circumstances when an organization should consider obtaining a formal trademark.
To see a few examples of why an organization might want to have a trademark, visit register a trademark if ....
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"... is your name really unique? ... why trademarks matter ... a story about 3 magazine names"
To see what could happen when more than one party uses a similar name, go to our page with a story about 3 magazine names, to help understand why trademarks matter.
Or click link to find out what a trademark is?.
Trademarks can serve consumers as well.
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Consumers can also rely on trademarks.
Perhaps you buy brands you like?
".. Are trademarks good for consumers? ..."
Trademarks can be important for consumers. It may be useful to learn whether trademarks are good for consumers. Many people would be surprised at the conclusions.
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"... learn about some interesting trademark cases & monopoly rights ... "
The use of trademarks in trade shows that holding a strong position, with properly protected legal rights, can help both traders and consumers. Sometimes, owners of good brands take action to ensure their trademark rights are respected. We list a few trademark cases to show the power of trademarks.
Some information about a few interesting trademark cases is in our trademark cases page.
Providing other trademark services
We deal with several trademark matters, including trademark searches, trademark applications, trademark oppositions, trademark infringement, and trademark agreements.
For a more complete range of our trademark services please see the other trademark pages on this site.