Pakistan Joins Madrid System of Trademark in landmark achievement

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 04 Jan 2023

Islamabad: In a landmark achievement, Pakistan has joined World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) International Trademark System ‘The Madrid System’, following years of efforts of the country’s Intellectual Property Organization (IPO-Pakistan).

The system allows brand owners to protect their trademarks in over 120 countries through a single and cost-effective procedure

The government of Pakistan deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol with WIPO’s Director-General, on February 24, 2021, which had paved the way for Pakistan to become the 108th country in the world to join the Madrid System of Trademark.

The Protocol will enter into force on May 24, 2021.

With the accession to the Madrid Protocol, local brand owners in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan will be able to protect their trademarks in more than 100 countries by filing a single international application and paying a single set of fees.

IPO-Pakistan issued an official announcement according to which the business community of other countries will also be able to get the protection of their Trademarks in Pakistan by using the Madrid route.

Moreover, IPO-Pakistan had started the initial work on this document in 2013 and has since had massive consultations. However, it held a wide range of meetings with stakeholders that had led to it becoming a part of the system.

For the time being the Madrid Registry is focused on delivering a streamlined, customer-driven experience for users throughout the lifecycle of their mark with its evolving suite of online services and resources.