photo from:  WIPO

Recently, Canadian representatives submitted to WIPO the instruments of accession to the Madrid Protocol, Nice Agreement and the Singapore Treaty. All the treaties will enter into force for Canada on June 17, 2019. At that time, Canadian trademark owners will have access to more efficient means of protecting their trademarks only if they submit an international application and pay some fees. Meanwhile, foreign companies and trademark owners that sell their products or services in Canada can also seek for trademark protection and lower costs through the straightforward designation process in Madrid System.

Canada’s accession to Madrid Agreement for  the International Registration of Marks will align its trademark regime with other jurisdictions within the Madrid System, which will not only reduce business costs for foreign enterprises but also boost its own economic growth.

Until now, there have been 104 members in Madrid System which now covers 120 countries.

By joining the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, Canada became the 104th member of the Madrid System, which now covers 120 countries. The Protocol will enter into force for Canada three months after the formal date of accession.

Since June 17th, 2019, all trademark owners in Canada will have access to more efficient means of protecting their trademarks in 120 countries and regions among all the 103 members within the Madrid System only when they submit an international application and pay some fees.

With the direct procedure in Madrid System, foreign companies and trademark owners can seek for trademark protection while selling their products and services in Canada. Madrid System is an important part of international trademark protection efforts and provides all trademark owners with convenient solutions. 

March 29, 2019

Source: WIPO