Protecting your intellectual property can be difficult. This is especially true when you are dealing with securing worldwide protection. When it comes to trademarks, the process has been made easier by the Madrid Protocol. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Madrid Protocol is an agreement of multiple countries to honor applications through one single general form.
This means that you can file a form for trademark protection with the USPTO and send it to other countries to request protection there. It is important to understand that even though you are using one application, each country must approve it before you have protection in that country.
You can file your application through the Trademark Electronic Application System from the USPTO. Alternatively, you can file on paper through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Once your application is approved in a country, you monitor it and manage it through the WIPO.
Filing under the Madrid Protocol can save you a lot of time since you only have to file one application. It also saves you money because you will only be required to pay one set of filing fees. Moreover, it is hassle-free since you can use the English application without having to worry about translations. Not to mention that getting your trademark approved in multiple countries gives you the chance to obtain broader protection. You will not have to worry about being protected if you sell products or use your trademark in the countries where you secure protection. This information is for education and is not legal advice.