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WIPO Welcomes Japan's Accession to Madrid Protocol

Geneva, December 15, 1999
Press Releases PR/1999/201

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, welcomed on Wednesday the accession by Japan to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.

"We welcome Japan's accession to this important treaty that will greatly facilitate the process of obtaining international protection for trademark holders in Japan and helps make the Madrid Protocol more inclusive," Dr. Idris said. The Madrid Protocol allows a person who has protected their trademark in their own country to obtain an international registration of the mark. This extends protection of the mark into the other member countries of the Protocol. Japan's accession to the Protocol brings the number of participating countries to 42.

"The Madrid Protocol provides a cost-effective and efficient way for trademark holders to ensure protection for their marks in multiple countries through the filing of a single application with WIPO. Japan's accession to the Madrid Protocol is good news for both Japanese trademark holders as well as nationals of other countries that are party to the Madrid Protocol," Dr. Idris said. From March 14, 2000, (the date on which the Madrid Protocol will come into force for Japan) trademark owners from other states parties to the Protocol will be able to include Japan in their international registrations.

Trademarks, which are distinctive signs, that identify certain goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise, are of significant economic importance. A trademark provides protection to the owner of the mark by ensuring the exclusive right to use it to identify the owner's goods or services, or to authorize another party, usually through a license or franchise, to use it in return for payment.

For further information, please call the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section:

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