Madrid System: Filing International Trademark Applications
Using WIPO's Madrid System, you can file one international trademark application to seek protection of your trademark in all or any of its Members 
simultaneously. You file your application in one language – English, French or Spanish – and pay one set of fees, in one currency (Swiss francs). You can track the status of your application online as it moves through the examination process.
International trademark applications are filed according to the requirements and procedures established by the Madrid Protocol. The domestic laws of each designated Madrid System member determine the scope of protection of your international trademark registration.
Who can use the Madrid System?
You can file an application for an international trademark registration if you are a national of – or have a domicile or business in – any Madrid System Member. The intellectual property (IP) Office of that Madrid System Member will be your "Office of origin".
Important! You must already have – or have applied for – a national or regional trademark registration through your home intellectual property (IP) Office (Office of origin). This "basic mark" forms the basis of your international trademark registration.
If you have a connection with several Madrid System Members (e.g., you are a national of Mexico living in the United States of America), you can choose any one of these Members to be your Office of origin – so long as you have a “basic mark” in that Office.
Appoint a representative!
You can appoint a person or company to manage your international trademark application and/or registration on your behalf. Your representative can sign communications and carry out any other procedural steps. We will typically send all communications directly to your representative. Important! You can only have one representative at a time. Find out more about representatives.
Tools to get you started
International Application Simulator
Use our step-by-step simulation to find out if you are eligible to use the Madrid System, whether you can seek protection in your target markets and to estimate the cost.
Access the International Application Simulator
Member Profiles
Check trademark registration requirements in your target markets.
Find out more
- Video: About the Member Profiles Database (webinar recording) | Quick start guide [PDF]
Fee calculator
Estimate the fees for filing an international trademark application, based on selected Members and classes.
Find out more
Related links
Using WIPO's Madrid System, you can file one international trademark application to secure trademark protection in all or any of its members , in one language and with one set of fees. And, you can track the status of your application as it moves through the examination process.
International trademark applications are filed according to the requirements and procedures established by the Madrid Protocol. The domestic laws of each designated Madrid System member determine the scope of protection of your international trademark registration.
Who can use the Madrid System?
You can file for international trademark protection if you are a national of – or have a domicile or business in – any Madrid System member. The intellectual property (IP) Office of that Madrid System member will be your "Office of origin".
Important! Before you file an international trademark application, you must register – or apply for – a national trademark through your home IP Office (Office of origin). This "basic mark" forms the basis of your international trademark registration.
If you have a connection with several Madrid System members (e.g., you are a national of Mexico living in the United States of America), you can choose any one of these members to be your Office of origin – so long as you have a “basic mark” in that Office.
International Application Simulator
Use our step-by-step simulation to find out if you are eligible to use the Madrid System, to check whether you can seek protection in your target markets and to estimate your application costs.
Representatives
You can appoint a person or company to manage your international trademark application and/or registration on your behalf. Your representative can sign communications and carry out any other procedural steps. We will typically send all communications directly to your representative. Important! You can only have one representative at a time. Find out more about representatives.
Resources
- Member Profiles Database – Check trademark registration requirements in your target markets. Find out more: About the Member Profiles Database (webinar recording) | Quick start guide
- Goods & Services Manager – Automatically compile the list of goods and services that your trademark application will cover. Important! You cannot expand the list of goods and services once you have submitted your international trademark application. Find out more: Video: About Goods & Services Manager | Understanding the classification of goods and services (webinar recording) | Examination guidelines
- Fee Calculator – Estimate the fees for filing an international trademark application, based on members and classes. Find out more: Madrid System fees and payment methods.