Trade marks

Registered trade marks are territorial. If you apply for a trade mark in the UK, you'll only have protection in the UK. If you're considering exporting your services or goods overseas, you may want to register your trade mark in other countries.

National trade mark application

You can apply directly to Industrial or Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs) of individual countries to secure trade marks in their jurisdiction. In this case:

• you may need to translate each application into the national language
• you will need to pay the national application fees
• you may need to work with an IP agent or attorney to make sure that the application meets national requirements

Find Intellectual Property Offices around the world.

Regional EU trade mark application

If you do business or plan to do business, in more than one European country, you should consider applying for an EU trade mark (EUTM).

The EUTM creates a unified trade mark registration system in Europe through which a single registration provides protection in all current and future member states of the EU. EUTM application costs from €850 and:

• you can file an application in just one language to cover all the EU countries
• you can renew your EU trade mark indefinitely every ten years

You can apply for the EUTM with the EU IPO.

International trade mark protection

An international trade mark application is possible under the Madrid system, which is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.

What is the Madrid protocol?

The Madrid system provides a cost-effective and efficient way for trade mark owners to protect their marks simultaneously in the countries that have ratified the protocol. The system allows you to file one trade mark application:

• with a single office (in a national or regional trade mark office)
• in one language
• with one set of fees and in one currency
• without requiring a local agent to act on your behalf in the designated countries

The Madrid protocol also allows you to modify, renew or expand your global trade mark portfolio through one centralised system.

Using the Madrid system

If you apply under the Madrid protocol, your trade mark application will be examined according to the rules of the designated country. If accepted, your trade mark will gain the same protection in that country as if it was registered directly with the country's trade mark authority.

Your trade mark will last for ten years, after which you can renew indefinitely (provided that you pay the fees). The cost of an international trade mark registration will depend on where you want to protect your mark and how many classes of goods and services your registration will cover.

You can apply for an international trade mark with the WIPO.

Registering trade marks overseas can be complicated and it's a good idea to get help from a qualified trade mark attorney or patent attorney. Find a chartered trade mark attorney.