EUROPEAN UNION ACCEDES TO MADRID

According to a MARQUES newsflash, on 21 June the European Union submitted to WIPO its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on the international registration of trade marks. The accession will establish a link between the Madrid Protocol and the Community trade mark. This link will enable businesses to benefit from the advantages of the Community trade mark through the Madrid Protocol system and vice-versa.



By filing an International Registration an applicant can designate both national trade marks and the Community trade mark. This facility will simplify the process of obtaining international trade mark protection covering the EU along with other Madrid Protocol countries. If a Community trade mark application made through the Madrid Protocol fails, it is still possible to convert back to national designations under the same Protocol. The accession will take effect as of 1 October 2004.



The IPKat welcomes this move, regretting only the very long time that has elapsed between the commencement of the CTM and Madrid Protocol systems (both of which came into operation in 1996) and the EU's accession to the Protocol.



WIPO's Madrid website here

Real Madrid here; fake Madrid here