Colombia Becomes Newest Member Of The International Trademark System

According to ipwatchdog.com, “Colombia just became the 87^th member of the international trademark system following the deposit of its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks by Vice President Angelino Garzón with WIPO Director General Francis Gurry on May 29, 2012.”

This might be of particular import to those with .Co domain names and other Spanish domains

“The treaty will enter into force with respect to Colombia, on August 29, 2012.”

“The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid system) offers trademark owners a cost effective, user friendly and streamlined means of protecting and managing their trademark portfolio internationally.”

“Colombia is the second country in the Latin American region to join the Madrid trademark filing system.”

“Under the WIPO-administered Madrid system, a trademark owner may protect a mark in up to 86 countries plus the European Union with its Community Trade Mark (CTM) by filing one application, in one language (English, French or Spanish), with one set of fees, in one currency (Swiss Francs).”

“Applicants wishing to use the Madrid system must apply for trademark protection in a relevant national or regional trademark office before seeking international protection. An international registration under the Madrid system produces the same effects as an application for registration of the mark in each of the contracting parties designated by the applicant.”

“If protection is not refused by the trademark office of a designated contracting party, the status of the mark is the same as if it had been registered by that office.  Thereafter, the international registration can be maintained and renewed through a single procedure.  Thus, the system provides a cost-effective and efficient way for trademark holders to secure and maintain protection for their marks in multiple countries.”