Any company aspiring to develop its business internationally understands the importance and value of its trademark. It is not just a symbol of a product or service; it is also the image of the company preserved in the minds of consumers. Protecting this image and uniqueness can be achieved through international trademark registration.
What is International Trademark Registration? International trademark registration is a procedure that allows the trademark owner to obtain protection for their trademark abroad.
How does International Trademark Registration work?
There are two ways to register a trademark outside Ukraine.
- National Office Applications: File an application with the intellectual property office in each country where you want to register the trademark. You need to find a patent attorney in that country to represent your interests in trademark registration. Documents also need to be translated into the official language of the country where the application is filed. The advantage of this approach is that trademark registration is not dependent on national registration in Ukraine, saving time.
- Madrid System-based International Registration: This procedure is based on the Madrid System administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The primary advantage is that the owner can file a single application in one language to register the trademark in multiple countries. After filing the application, WIPO sends information to the relevant national offices for examination and registration of the trademark in each selected country.
Advantages of Registration through the Madrid System
- Efficiency and Time Savings: Instead of separate applications in each country, a single application streamlines the process and saves time. Additional countries can be added to the application during the registration process.
- Protection in Multiple Countries: A trademark can be protected simultaneously in several countries, making this method attractive for businesses with a global strategy.
- Risk Reduction: Having a protected trademark in many countries helps avoid conflicts with the use of similar trademarks by other companies in different regions.
To use the Madrid System, you need to have the basic registration of the trademark or at least have filed an application in one of the participating countries. After that, you can file an application through the national office of that country. The application review will take about 12-18 months. If the outcome is positive, your trademark will be included in the international ROMARIN database, specifying the countries and goods/services covered by the legal protection of the trademark.
International trademark registration is crucial for any company seeking to protect its uniqueness and brand globally. Utilizing the Madrid System provides the opportunity to ensure protection in many countries, simplifying and expediting the registration process.
If you want to register your trademark internationally, contact our company. You can do so by clicking the button below or using any other convenient method listed on the website.
