Madrid Protocol

The Madrid Protocol underpins the international trademark registration system administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Turkey has been a member since 1999. The system lets a trademark owner seek protection in several countries through a single application based on its home application or registration.

How It Works

• Basic application: An applicant established in Turkey first files a trademark application with TÜRKPATENT or relies on an existing registration.
• International application: The application is sent to WIPO through TÜRKPATENT, designating the countries (and regional systems such as the EU) where protection is sought.
• National examination: WIPO checks formalities and notifies the designated countries. Each examines the application under its own law; if no refusal is notified within the set period, the mark is protected there.

Advantages

• One application, one language, one fee payment
• Central management: assignments, name changes and renewals in a single step
• New countries can be added later

Points to Watch

• Central attack: For five years the international registration depends on the basic application. If the Turkish application is refused after an opposition, foreign protection is affected too.
• Specification: The international list cannot exceed the scope of the basic application.
• Local agents: Responding to refusals usually requires an agent in that country.
• Countries outside the system require direct national filings.

Priority: an international application filed within six months of the first Turkish application can benefit from the Turkish filing date.