Service guide
International Trademark Registration
International protection starts with a clear mark, the correct owner, suitable goods and services, a filing route and a realistic market strategy. Registration remains territorial even when one international application route is used.
01
Define the Filing Strategy
Start with the mark, owner, target countries, launch plan and commercial priorities. Searches and classification should be completed before committing to a broad filing programme.
Before filing, confirm the mark as actually used, the correct owner, target markets, goods and services and launch timing. Searches should cover identical marks and earlier rights similar in sound, meaning, appearance or commercial field.
- Confirm the applicant and mark
- Select target markets
- Search for earlier rights
- Define goods and services
02
Basic or Home-Country Application
Where the Madrid System is used, the international application is linked to a qualifying basic application or registration. The owner, mark and scope must be coordinated carefully because inconsistencies can affect the international filing.
When an international system relies on a basic application or registration, the applicant, mark and specification must be coordinated. Restriction of the basic right during the dependency period can affect international protection, so an overly broad scope can create risk.
- Check eligibility for the filing route
- Prepare representation of the mark
- Choose Nice classes and specifications
- Submit and monitor the basic filing
03
International Application and Examination
The international filing undergoes formal examination before it is transmitted to designated offices. Each office then applies its domestic law and may issue objections, refusals or opposition procedures within its own deadlines.
- File through the appropriate office
- Respond to formal irregularities
- Monitor designated-country examination
- Coordinate objections and opposition
Formal examination
The filing route checks applicant details, representation, classification, fees and designated territories before transmitting the application.
Designated-country examination
Each designated office applies its own law to distinctiveness, descriptiveness, earlier rights and other refusal grounds.
Objection and opposition
Responses may require local counsel, arguments, amendments, evidence, coexistence negotiations or defence against third-party opposition.
04
Timeline and Cost Factors
Timing varies by the basic office, international formalities and every designated jurisdiction. Cost depends on the number of classes, target markets, mark format, official fees, local counsel and any objections or opposition.
The timetable can include searches and classification, the basic filing, international formalities, examination in designated countries, publication and opposition. Cost depends on markets, classes, official fees, translation, local counsel and later objections.
- Official and professional fees
- Number of classes and countries
- Translation and local-agent requirements
- Objection, opposition and evidence costs
05
Protection, Use and Renewal
Registration can support exclusive rights, enforcement, licensing, assignment and brand valuation. Owners must still monitor conflicting use, meet use requirements, record changes and renew protection on time.
- Exclusive rights in approved markets
- Monitoring and enforcement
- Licensing, assignment and ownership changes
- Use evidence and renewal calendar
Protection and enforcement
Registration can strengthen exclusive rights for the approved mark and specification and support action against confusingly similar use.
Licensing and transactions
A recorded trademark can be licensed, assigned, pledged or included in brand and company transactions, subject to local formalities.
Use, monitoring and renewal
Owners should preserve use evidence, monitor new filings and market misuse, record ownership changes and renew each designation on time.
Common questions
Points to confirm before engagement.
Does one international filing create one worldwide trademark?
No. The international route centralises filing administration, but each designated jurisdiction examines and protects the mark under its own law.
Is a trademark search necessary before filing?
A search is strongly advisable because it identifies earlier rights, registrability issues and markets where a revised mark or specification may be needed.
How long does international registration take?
Timing varies by the basic office, international formalities and each designated office, including any objections or opposition.
What determines the filing cost?
The main factors are the number of countries and classes, mark format, official fees, translation, local counsel and contested proceedings.
What must be done after registration?
Use the mark consistently, retain evidence, monitor conflicts, record licences or ownership changes and renew protection by each deadline.