International Trademark Registration Through the Madrid Protocol
Extend your Indian trademark to several countries with one international application filed through IP India and WIPO.
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International trademark registration lets an Indian business protect its brand in other countries through a single application under the Madrid Protocol, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization. It suits exporters, software and service firms, franchise brands and startups planning to sell abroad. India is a member of the Madrid system, and IP India acts as the office of origin, so the applicant must first hold an Indian application or registration to rely on. Our team helps you choose target countries, align the goods list, prepare the application and handle objections raised by the foreign offices.
Who provides this service: our team of Company Secretaries and compliance specialists.
Who Needs International Trademark Registration?
- Exporters and manufacturers who ship branded products to overseas buyers
- Software, SaaS and app businesses that serve customers in several countries
- Franchise and retail brands planning to open or license outside India
- Startups with foreign investors or distributors who expect international brand protection
- Businesses that sell through global online channels and face copycats outside India
Key Benefits
- One application and one set of dates to manage instead of separate filings in every country
- Ability to add countries later through a subsequent designation as your export plans grow
- A country-selection discussion that matches filings to real markets, suppliers and manufacturing locations
- Goods and services wording prepared once and checked against the practices of the offices you designate
- Central renewal and record changes through WIPO rather than through local agents in each country
- Guidance on when filing country by country is the more suitable route for your situation
How It Works
Confirm the basic Indian mark
The international application depends on an Indian basic application or registration. We check that your Indian filing exists, matches the mark you want abroad and covers the goods and services you plan to claim.
Select countries and conduct searches
We shortlist the countries where you sell, source or manufacture, and run availability searches there, so you do not pay to designate a country in which a clash is already likely.
Prepare the international application
We prepare the Madrid application with the mark, goods list, colour claim and designated countries, ensuring the details match the Indian basic mark exactly because mismatches cause the office of origin to hold the filing.
Certification by IP India
IP India, as office of origin, certifies the application and forwards it to WIPO. We submit it on the prescribed form and track any query raised before it is transmitted.
Handle WIPO and foreign examination
WIPO checks formalities and sends the filing to each designated office. If an office issues a provisional refusal, we coordinate with a local representative to reply within that country time limit.
Maintain and renew the registration
Once protected, the international registration is renewed through WIPO at regular intervals. We diarise renewals, record changes of address or ownership and advise when new countries should be added.
Documents Required
- Details of the Indian trademark application or registration that forms the basic mark
- Clear representation of the mark in the format required for the application
- Description of goods and services, mapped to the classes you intend to claim
- List of countries or territories you wish to designate
- Applicant name, address and nationality or place of establishment in India
- Identity and business registration documents of the applicant
- Colour claim and description, if the mark is registered in colour
- Authorisation for the representative who will file and correspond on your behalf
Timeline and Fees
Indicative timeline: Indicative range of several months to over a year, depending on IP India certification, WIPO processing and how quickly each designated country examines the mark. Countries that raise objections take longer.
Professional fee: Professional fees depend on the number of countries, the number of classes and whether foreign representatives are needed. WIPO fees are charged in Swiss francs and vary by country designated, so we confirm the current schedule when preparing your quote.
What Can Go Wrong if This Is Missed or Done Incorrectly
- Relying on a weak Indian basic mark can put the international registration at risk during the central attack period
- Designating countries without prior searches can mean paying fees for a mark that is refused locally
- Missing a response deadline in a designated country can lose protection there even if other countries accept the mark
- Delaying international filing can leave a gap during which a third party registers your brand abroad first
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Madrid Protocol and is India a member?
The Madrid Protocol is an international system that lets you apply for trademark protection in many member countries through one application filed with your home trademark office. India is a member, so Indian applicants can file through IP India and designate the countries where they want protection, subject to each country's own examination.
Do I need an Indian trademark before filing internationally?
Yes. The Madrid system works from a basic mark, which is an Indian application or registration, and the international application must correspond to it. If you have no Indian filing yet, the usual first step is to file in India, and the international application can follow once that exists.
What is the central attack period under the Madrid system?
For the first five years the international registration depends on the basic Indian mark. If the basic application or registration is cancelled or refused during that period, the international registration can fall away in the designated countries too. After five years it becomes independent of the home mark.
Is it cheaper to use Madrid or file in each country separately?
It depends on how many countries you need. WIPO charges its fees in Swiss francs plus a fee for each designated country, and a local representative may still be needed to answer objections. For one or two countries, direct national filing can sometimes make more sense, so we compare both routes.
Will my mark be automatically protected in all designated countries?
No. Each designated country examines the mark under its own law and can refuse protection, for example because of a conflicting earlier mark or a descriptive meaning in the local language. Protection takes effect only in the countries whose offices do not refuse or whose objections are resolved.
Can I add more countries after the international registration is granted?
Yes. A subsequent designation lets you extend protection to additional member countries while keeping the same international registration. This suits businesses that begin with a few markets and expand later, though each added country goes through its own examination and carries its own fee.
Official Sources
Rules, forms and fees change. Check the current position on the official portal:
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Last reviewed: . Laws, fees and procedures change; check the official portal before you act.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional legal, tax or compliance advice. Requirements vary by situation. Please consult a qualified CA or CS for advice specific to your needs. Government fees and timelines are subject to change; verify with the relevant authority before proceeding.