International Trademark Registration (Madrid Protocol)
Expanding abroad? Protect your brand in multiple countries through a single international application under the Madrid Protocol, filed through the Indian Trade Marks Registry to WIPO. We handle base mark review, country strategy, filing and coordination on local objections.
Starting at ₹14,999**Professional fee only — WIPO's international filing fee and individual country designation fees (which vary by country and number of classes) are additional and quoted upfront before you proceed.
What Is International Trademark Registration?
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that lets you file a single international application, in one language, with one set of fees, to seek trademark protection across any number of its 100+ member countries. The application must be based on an existing trademark application or registration in your home country — in this case, India — and each designated country then examines the mark under its own national law, so approval isn't automatic everywhere, but the filing process itself is dramatically simpler than filing separately in each country. International applications from India are routed through the Trade Marks Registry under Section 36D of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, which was amended specifically to give effect to the Madrid Protocol.
Who Should Apply for International Trademark Registration?
Exporters & businesses expanding abroad — companies selling or planning to sell in foreign markets who want their brand protected there too.
Businesses with an existing Indian trademark — since a base application or registration in India is required before filing internationally.
Brands targeting multiple countries at once — businesses wanting to cover several jurisdictions through one filing instead of separate national applications.
Franchises & licensors — businesses planning to franchise or license their brand internationally and needing protection in each target market.
What's Included in Our Service
Madrid Protocol Application
Single international application designating your chosen member countries.
Country Coverage Strategy
Guidance on which jurisdictions matter most for your business.
Base Application/Registration Linkage
Filed based on your existing Indian trademark application or registration.
Local Objection Support
Coordination if any designated country raises a local objection.
Eligibility & Requirements
Existing base mark in India — an active Indian trademark application or registration is mandatory before filing internationally.
Same mark & ownership — the international application must be filed in the same name and for the same mark as the Indian base application.
Member country designation — you can only designate countries that are members of the Madrid Protocol.
Dependency period — for the first 5 years, the international registration remains linked to the fate of the Indian base mark.
How It Works
Base Mark Review
We confirm your Indian application/registration qualifies as the base mark.
Country Selection
You choose the Madrid Protocol member countries to designate.
International Application
Filed through the Indian Trade Marks Registry to WIPO.
National Examination
Each designated country examines the mark under its own laws.
Estimated Processing Time
WIPO typically completes formal examination of the international application within a few months of filing. After that, each designated country has up to 12-18 months (varying by country) to examine the mark under its own law and either grant protection or raise a refusal. An international registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed centrally through WIPO for further 10-year terms.
For the official list of member countries and procedures, you can also refer to the WIPO Madrid System website.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Filing separately in each target country when the Madrid Protocol would cover multiple jurisdictions in one application.
Not checking that the home (India) base application or registration remains valid, since Madrid filings depend on it for the first 5 years.
Missing country-specific response deadlines communicated through WIPO for provisional refusals.
Ignoring classification differences between countries, which can lead to partial refusal in some designated territories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Madrid Protocol?
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty administered by WIPO that lets trademark owners file a single international application to seek protection in multiple member countries, based on an existing trademark application or registration in their home country.
Do I need an existing Indian trademark first?
Yes, the Madrid Protocol requires a base application or registration in your home country (India) to file internationally.
How many countries can I cover?
You can designate any number of the 100+ member countries of the Madrid Protocol in a single application.
What if a country rejects the mark?
Rejection in one designated country doesn't affect protection in the others — each is examined independently under its own national trademark laws.
How long does international trademark registration take?
WIPO typically completes formal examination within a few months, after which each designated country has up to 12-18 months to examine and either grant or refuse protection under its own laws.
What happens if my base Indian trademark is cancelled?
For the first 5 years, the international registration depends on the base Indian application or registration — if it's cancelled or refused, the international registration is affected too, though it can often be converted into individual national applications.
How long is an international trademark registration valid?
An international registration under the Madrid Protocol is valid for 10 years and can be renewed centrally through WIPO for further 10-year terms, covering all designated countries in one renewal.
You May Also Need
Trademark Registration
Register your base trademark in India first.
Trademark Renewal
Keep your Indian and international registrations active.
Trademark Opposition
Oppose a conflicting mark, or defend your own against opposition.
What is the Madrid Protocol?
It's an international treaty administered by WIPO that lets you file one application, in one language, paying one set of fees, to seek trademark protection across multiple member countries simultaneously.
Does international registration protect against non-member countries?
No — the Madrid Protocol only extends to countries that are members of the system; protection in a non-member country requires a separate direct national filing there.