eMadrid Glossary

(Latest revision: September 4, 2025)
This glossary provides definitions of key terms and concepts used in eMadrid.
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Active international trademark registration

An international trademark registration that is in force, i.e., an international trademark application that has been registered for the initial 10-year period and/or has been renewed for a further 10 years.

Asset

An international trademark application or registration in the workbench.

Basic mark

The national or regional trademark application or registration that an international trademark application or registration is based on. 

Cancellation

The process of partially (some goods and services only) or totally (all goods and services) cancelling an international trademark registration, in all designated Madrid System members.

Certified documents

Documents that verify ownership, scope of protection, pending request for renewal of an international trademark registration, and more. Certified document issued by WIPO include attestations, copies of international trademark registration or renewal certificates, and extracts (detailed or simple).

Change holder details

The process of updating the name and/address, and/or legal nature of the holder of an international trademark registration in the International Register, affecting all designated Madrid System members.

Change in ownership

The process of recording a change in ownership of an international trademark registration in the International Register, either totally (all goods and services in all designated Madrid System members) or partially (some goods and services, in some designated Madrid System members).

Connection

Connections can be set up through a WIPO Account, with other WIPO Account users. Connections do not automatically have access to eMadrid assets (international trademark applications or registrations). Someone who has editor/admin access to an asset can give a connection permissions to view, edit and/or manage access rights to that asset.

Correction

The process of fixing an error in the information recorded in the International Register.

Current Account at WIPO

A financial account, managed in Swiss francs, that simplifies the payment process for customers who regularly carry out transactions with WIPO. Find out more about a Current Account at WIPO.

Date of registration

The date on which an international trademark application is registered by WIPO (typically the date on which the Office of origin received the application). Also referred to as "filing date". 

Designation

The territories where the applicant or holder seeks, or has, protection through the Madrid System. 

Designation status

The status of protection of an international trademark registration in a given Madrid System member. The domestic laws of each designated Madrid System member define the scope of protection of an international trademark registration within its territory.

eMadrid

A digital environment that provides integrated access to all Madrid System online tools and services.

Expiration date

The date when an international trademark registration reaches its 10-year term of protection through the Madrid System (often referred to as "due date for renewal").

Formality examination

The process where WIPO checks that an international trademark application – or a request to manage an international trademark registration – complies with all formal requirements (e.g., sufficient contact details, classification of goods and services, quality of images, payment of fees, etc.).

Grace period

The six-month period following the expiration date of an international trademark registration, during which it can still be renewed.

Holder

The natural person or legal entity in whose name an international trademark registration is recorded in the International Register. 

International Register

The official database of Madrid System international trademark registrations, maintained by WIPO. 

International trademark application

A formal request to register a trademark in all or any of the Madrid System's members in a single international application.

International trademark registration

An international trademark application that has been recorded in the International Register by WIPO. If the international trademark registration is not refused protection by a designated Madrid System member, then it will have the same effect as a national or regional trademark registered under the domestic law of that Madrid System member. Refusal by one designated Madrid System member does not affect protection in other designated members.

Irregularity notice

A formal notice sent by WIPO to applicants, holders and IP Offices when issues concerning formalities are found in an international trademark application or a request to change an international trademark registration (see "Formality examination"). The irregular notice includes details of the issue(s), instructions on how to fix the issue(s) and a time limit to respond. 

Limitation

A process to restrict the list of goods and services in some or all the Madrid System members designated in an international trademark registration.

Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks

The founding treaty of the Madrid System. The Madrid Agreement is no longer in operation.

Madrid e-Filing

A secure, digital service provided by WIPO to interested IP Offices of Madrid System members. A holder of national/regional trademark in a participating Office of origin can file an application for an international trademark registration directly online through Madrid e-Filing; the Office can easily process the application. Find out more about Madrid e-Filing.

Madrid Protocol (Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement)

The governing treaty of the Madrid System. (Access all Madrid System legal texts.)

Madrid System

An abbreviation for the system for the international registration of trademarks. It was originally established by the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks and is now exclusively governed by the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement. (See "Madrid Protocol".)

Madrid System member

A state, intergovernmental organization (such as the European Union (EU) or the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)), or territory where an applicant seeks protection of their trademark, or a holder has secured – or subsequently seeks – protection in an international trademark registration.

Nice class

A Nice class refers to one of the categories of goods and services in the Nice Classification. Classes define the categories of goods and service for which trademark protection is requested. (See “Nice Classification.”)

Nice Classification

An international classification used to categorize goods and services when applying to register marks. The goods and services are divided into 45 classes – 34 for goods and 11 for services. Find out more about the Nice Classification.

Office of origin

The IP Office of the Madrid System member where the applicant is entitled to file an international trademark application.

Portfolio

A collection of assets (see "Assets") grouped together by, for example, client, product types, or classes. It is possible to create several portfolios and add multiple international trademark applications/registrations to one or more of them.

Provisional refusal

A provisional refusal is a notification from the IP Office of a designated Madrid System member, provisionally refusing to grant protection (totally or partially) of an international trademark registration, either based on grounds identified during substantive examination or due to opposition by a third party. The holder can respond to the provisional refusal, and provide arguments or evidence to overcome the reasons for refusal, in accordance with the domestic laws of that Madrid System member. 

Renewal

The process of maintaining (keeping in force) an international trademark registration. Once recorded, an international trademark registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed every ten years upon payment of the required fees. International trademark registrations must be renewed to remain active.  

Renunciation

The procedure to abandon the effects of an international trademark registration for all goods and services in respect of one or some of the designated Madrid System members. 

Representative

A person or company appointed to represent the applicant of an international trademark application or the holder of an international trademark registration. A representative can sign communications and perform all other procedural steps before WIPO on behalf of the applicant or holder. 

Subsequent designation

A procedure to expand the geographical scope of an international trademark registration to additional Madrid System members, or to include additional goods and services for one or more designated member(s), provided that those goods and services are already covered by the international trademark registration.

Trademark

A sign used to distinguish the goods or services of one enterprise from those of others. A trademark may consist of words and combinations of words (for instance, names or slogans), logos, figures and images, letters, numbers, sounds, smells or moving images, or a combination of these. The registration of trademarks is governed by the legislation and procedures of national and regional IP offices and WIPO. Trademark rights are limited to the jurisdiction of the IP office that registers the trademark. Trademarks can be registered by filing an application at the relevant national or regional IP Office(s), or by filing an international trademark application through the Madrid System. (Find out more about trademarks.)

Vienna Classification

An international classification used to classify the figurative elements of a mark. Find out more about the Vienna Classification.

Watchlist

A tool that allows users to monitor international trademark registrations, and receive alerts whenever they are updated or modified.

WIPO Account

An account used to securely access WIPO’s online services.

WIPO Gazette

The official publication of the Madrid System – published online weekly – containing information regarding new international trademark registrations, renewals, subsequent designations and modifications affecting existing international trademark registrations.

WIPO reference number

A 9 or 10-digit number used to identify documents related to an international trademark application or registration, such as the application itself, requests for changes, and decisions from IP Offices. This number is included in acknowledgement emails, irregularity notices, and other online requests/transactions related to international trademark applications or registrations. 

Workbench

A personalized workspace where applicants, holders, representatives and connections can access and manage international trademark applications and registrations. The workbench is accessed using a WIPO Account (see "WIPO Account")

New eMadrid Environment: FAQ

(Last revision: February 25, 2025)

General questions

eMadrid is a digital environment that provides integrated access to all Madrid System online tools and services.

You need a WIPO Account to use some of the tools and services included in eMadrid.

eMadrid is structured around three key actions, each with its own dedicated section:

  • File an Application: Start a new international trademark application.
  • Manage Your Trademarks: View, manage and track your existing international trademark applications and registrations (login required).
  • Find and Monitor: Search and watch international trademark registrations using the tools available.
  • Each section offers all the specific supporting tools and resources needed to complete that action.

You log in to eMadrid using your WIPO Account userid and password. Don’t have a WIPO Account? Create one now!

Questions about the workbench

The workbench is your personalized workspace where you can access and manage all your international trademark applications and registrations. Access your workbench using your WIPO Account!

You can:

  • See the status of protection of your trademarks
  • Access a complete history of all your transactions
  • Manage or update your international trademark applications and registration
  • Share your assets with your connections and manage access rights
  • Organize applications and registrations into portfolios, grouped by holder name, product type, class, etc.
  • Respond to irregularity letters
  • Make payments
  • And more.

You must have a WIPO Account to access your workbench.

An asset refers to any international trademark application or registration in your workbench.

There are two types of users (viewer and editor), and two levels of access (admin and none):

  • Editor Admin: You can view, edit, share and manage access rights
  • Editor only: You can view and edit, but cannot share or manage access rights
  • Viewer Admin: You can view, share and manage access rights (up to the level of your own access rights)
  • Viewer only: You can view but cannot edit, share or manage access rights
  1. Login to eMadrid and access your workbench
  2. Click the “Options” icon at the top-right of your workbench
  3. Check the “Access rights” checkbox
  4. Click above the workbench to validate your selection.

Your access rights are now displayed for all assets!

screenshot showing the eMadrid workbench with options icon open

You need to ask someone with “Editor Admin” access to the asset to change your role.

First, make sure you are logged into eMadrid. If your workbench is still empty, then either:

  1. We don’t have an email address on record for your international trademark registration(s); or
  2. The email address connected to your WIPO Account doesn’t match the one we have on file.

What should you do?

Update or add your email address using "Change holder details" (if you are the holder) or "Manage representative" (if you are the recorded representative) in your workbench.

Tip! You can update/add an email address for multiple assets at once, as long as the holder name is the same for all of them.

  1. Go to “Find & Monitor” in eMadrid
  2. Search for the international trademark registration(s) by name, number, etc.
  3. Choose the registration(s) that you want to add to your workbench

    Warning: You cannot add an international trademark registration that has no email address connected to it.

  4. Click “Add assets to your workbench”
  5. Click “Continue”
  6. Choose the level of access you need (Full access or custom access rights) and click “Continue”
  7. Click “Send”.

Your request will be sent to the on-record email address of the holder or representative. If they approve the request, the international trademark registration(s) will be added to your workbench.

Questions about connections

A connection is someone you know and interact with for your work. Your connections do not necessarily have access to your eMadrid assets. You set up connections using your WIPO Account.

  1. Click the “IP Portal Login” button at the top right of your screen and log in to eMadrid
  2. Click your username (top right) and choose “My WIPO Account”
  3. Scroll down and click “Manage my connections”
  4. From there, you can create or delete connections.

Note: A connection request has to be accepted by the person you wish to connect with.

Questions about managing access rights

Note: You need “Admin” access to manage rights. You cannot give rights higher than your own (example: If you are a “Viewer”, you cannot give “Editor” rights). You cannot change the holder or representative’s rights.

  1. In your workbench, click the “…” next to the asset you wish to share
  2. This will open the actions panel
  3. Scroll down to “Admin access” and click “Share with connections”
  4. Choose “Existing connections” to see all your connections
  5. Select the connections you want to share your asset with

  6. BE CAREFUL: If you select ALL your connections, you will change everyone’s rights!

  7. Click “Continue”
  8. Choose the type of access rights you want to give (“Viewer”, “Editor”, etc.)
  9. Click “Share trademarks” to complete the process.
  1. In your workbench, click the “…” next to the asset you wish to manage access rights for
  2. Scroll down to “Admin access” and click “Share with connections”
  3. Choose “Existing connections” to see your connections
  4. Select the connection whose access rights you want to change

  5. BE CAREFUL: If you select ALL your connections, you will change everyone’s rights!

  6. Click “Continue”
  7. Choose the new access rights (e.g., Role = Editor; Delegation rights = Admin)
  8. Click “Share trademarks” to complete the process.
  1. Select all assets in your workbench (if you have more than 100 assets, you will need to select all assets, page by page)
  2. Click “Manage selected” to open the actions panel
  3. Scroll down to “Admin access” and click “Share with connections”
  4. Choose “Existing connections”
  5. Select the connection whose access rights you want to change

  6. BE CAREFUL: If you select ALL your connections, you will change everyone’s rights!

  7. Click “Continue”
  8. Choose the new access rights (e.g., Role = Editor, Delegation rights = none)
  9. Click “Share trademarks” to complete the process.
  1. In your workbench, select the relevant asset
  2. Click tab “Manage selected” to open the actions panel
  3. Scroll down to “Admin access” and click “Manage access rights”
  4. Choose “Existing connections”
  5. Choose the access new rights (e.g., Role = Editor, Delegation rights = Admin)
  6. Click “Update access rights” to complete the process.
  1. Select all assets in your workbench
  2. Click tab “Manage selected” to open the actions panel
  3. Scroll down to “Admin access” and click “Manage access rights”
  4. Choose the new access rights (e.g., Role = Editor, Delegation rights = Admin)
  5. Click “Update access rights” to complete the process.

Questions about portfolios

You can group your international trademark applications and/or registrations together – for example by client, product types, or classes – using portfolios. You can create as many portfolios as you wish and add multiple international trademark applications/registrations to one or more of them.

  1. Go to the “Trademarks” tab in your workbench
  2. Click the “…” next to the application(s) or registration(s) you want to add to your portfolio
  3. Select “Add to portfolio”
  4. Choose an existing portfolio or create a new one
  5. Click “Add to portfolio” to complete the process.

You cannot share portfolios with connections. However, you can share the individual assets inside your portfolio(s).

Questions about the watchlist

A watchlist lets you track your competitors' trademarks. You’ll get alerts whenever their international trademark registrations are updated or modified.

You need to be logged into eMadrid!

  1. Go to the “Find & Monitor” tab in eMadrid
  2. Search for international trademark registrations by name, number, product…
  3. Open the international trademark registration(s) you want to add to your watchlist
  4. Click “Add to watchlist” to complete the process.

Tip: Don’t use a watchlist to track the international trademark registrations you own or manage. Instead, use your workbench. You’ll receive all relevant alerts directly in your workbench.

Questions about managing assets in your workbench

Important: You must be logged in to eMadrid and have “Editor Admin” or “Editor only” access to all the assets you wish to manage. All the assets must be active.

You can perform the following transactions for multiple assets:

  • Total change in ownership
  • Change holder details
  • Appoint or replace representative
  • Cancel representative
  • Change details of current representative

You must manage all other transactions for one asset at a time.

Important: You must be logged in to eMadrid and have “Editor Admin” or “Editor only” access to all the assets you wish to manage. All the assets must be active.

  1. Select the four assets in your workbench
  2. Click “Manage selected”
  3. Choose “Appoint or replace representative” in the actions panel
  4. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

You can only expand protection for one asset at a time.

If “Renew your registration” is inactive:

  1. The registration is inactive
  2. It’s not yet time to renew, or
  3. A renewal request is already being processed.
  1. Go to the “Trademarks” tab in your workbench
  2. In the “Filters” menu, apply the following settings:
    • Under “STATUS”, choose “Active”
    • Under “EXPIRATION DATE”, choose “Expired”.

More questions?

Couldn't find an answer to your question? Feel free to contact us.

Disclaimer: The questions and answers provided on this page serve a purely informative purpose and are not a legal point of reference. They do not necessarily represent the official position of WIPO or its member states.