Registering your trademark in 10 countries separately costs £2,000+ each. The Madrid Protocol lets UK businesses file one application covering 130 countries for £900. Here's how it works post-Brexit.
How Madrid Protocol Works
File with UK IPO. Designate countries. WIPO forwards to each. 12-18 month process.
UK Post-Brexit Status
Still member of Madrid Protocol. File through UK IPO as "office of origin."
Base Registration Required
Need UK or EU trademark first. Can't file Madrid without existing registration.
Cost Breakdown
Basic fee: CHF 653 (~£600). Per-country fees: £20-300 each. Total: £900-3,000 for 10 countries.
Examination Per Country
Each country examines separately. May refuse in France, approve in Germany. Not all-or-nothing.
5-Year Dependency Rule
If UK base mark fails in first 5 years, all Madrid countries cancel automatically.
Warning: Madrid Protocol covers 130 countries but not all. Brazil, Canada, Argentina not included. File separately for these.
Generic Names Can't Be Trademarked
If you want legal protection and a name competitors can't copy, make it distinctive from day one. Generic names fail internationally too.