India joins Madrid Protocol

• The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks offers trademark owners a cost effective, user friendly and streamlined means of protecting and managing their trademark portfolio internationally.
• Under the WIPO-administered Madrid system, a trademark owner may protect a mark in up to 88 countries plus the European Union by filing one application, in one language (English, French or Spanish), with one set of fees, in one currency (Swiss Francs).
• to know about WIPO click here
• Trademarks are a key component of any successful business marketing strategy as they allow companies to identify, promote and license their goods or services in the marketplace and to distinguish them from those of their competitors, and cement customer loyalty.
• A trademark symbolizes the promise of a quality product and in today’s global and increasingly electronic marketplace, a trademark is often the only way for customers to identify a company’s products and services.
• The international trademark system is governed by two treaties, namely, 

1. the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (1891) and 
2. the Madrid Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (1989).

• On 8 April 2013, India joined the Madrid Protocol which will enable domestic companies and entrepreneurs to obtain cost effective global trademark registration.
• The treaty will enter into force with respect to India on 8 July 2013, according to the statement by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• India is the 14th of the G-20 economies to accede to the Madrid Protocol.
• recently joined countries are Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand and Philippines.