This past year, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) received 39,945 international trademark applications under the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks. That number, which is an all-time high for applications under the Madrid System, is a 9.5% increase from the 2006 totals, and, according to WIPO Director General Dr. Kamil Idris, indicates that “the Madrid system has earned the trust and confidence of the business community as a reliable option for brands seeking export markets.”
The WIPO-administered Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks provides a trademark owner with a cost-effective and efficient way to have a mark protected across countries. The system allows owners to secure and maintain protection for their trademarks in up to 80 countries by filing one application, in a single language , with one set of fees.
Notably, China was again the most designated country in international trademark application, as a result of increased trade by foreign companies there.
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