Canada joins the Madrid Protocol

Canada has joined the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, becoming the 104th member of the Madrid System, which now covers 120 countries.

The Protocol will enter into force for Canada on June 17, 2019, three months after the formal date of accession. From then on, trademark owners in Canada can begin using the Madrid System, which means they can protect their trademarks in the 120 territories of the system by filing a single international application and paying a single set of fees.

On the other hand, companies applying for international trademark from other countries will now be able to designate Canada, which helps to reduces bureaucracy and costs. Companies are owners of active international trademarks will be able to apply for a subsequent designation and extend protection to Canada.

Besides joining the Madrid Protocol, Canada also ratified the Nice Agreement for the International Classification of goods and services for the purpose of registering trademarks.

Finally, Canada has also adhered to the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks, which harmonizes the administrative procedures of trademark registration.