International trademark (WIPO)
International trademark registration is administered by WIPO and does not constitute a single worldwide trademark. WIPO itself does not register a separate type of trademark, but provides an international system that allows the protection of an existing trademark to be extended to several countries simultaneously through a single application and one central administrative fee. This ensures greater efficiency in the proceedings, as it is not necessary to file separate applications with each national registration authority, provides simplified access to information about the proceedings and the status of the application, and ensures overall cost savings.
What is the Madrid System for the International Registration of Trademarks
This system is called the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks. Its main advantage is a significant simplification of the administrative process involved in protecting a brand in foreign markets. Instead of filing separate national applications in each country, a single international application makes it possible to select multiple target states in which the trademark is to be valid.
How an international trademark works in practice
International Trademark operates on the principle of national decisions. Each country designated in the application assesses the trademark registration independently in accordance with its own legislation. This means that there is no single “global” trademark with automatic validity in all countries. Protection arises only in those states that expressly approve the registration.
Requirements for Obtaining an International Trademark
The basic requirement for filing an international application is ownership of a national trademark or European trademark. This basic trademark serves as the basis for extending protection abroad. During the first five years, the international registration is dependent on the validity of this basic trademark, which is important to consider when planning brand protection.
Who Is an International Trademark Suitable For
International Trademark is an ideal solution for companies, e-shops and brands planning to enter non-European markets or already operating in several foreign markets. It is a strategic tool for protecting a brand, strengthening legal certainty, and preventing the misuse or imitation of a brand in an international environment. It is also an effective solution for entrepreneurs who wish to register a trademark only in selected countries around the world in various possible combinations (e.g. Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria, or other possible combinations).
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- how to apply for registration of an international trademark (WIPO)
- how to register a trademark in only certain countries
- how to expand a trademark to include territories, goods and/or services
- how to obtain a refund of part of the fee paid, Grant SME Fund
- what are the fees for registering a trademark in Slovakia, with the EUIPO, with WIPO, and for expansion
- what is the procedure before and after filing a trademark application
- what is the purpose of a trademark
- why it is important to search for a sign in relation to trademarks
- what if someone has filed an opposition against the registration of your trademark
- what if someone has registered a trademark for a sign that belongs to you
- what are the classes for trademarks
- how long is my trademark valid and how can I extend its validity
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