What Is the Madrid Protocol?
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty that allows you to file a single trademark application from India and extend protection to over 130 member countries. Instead of filing separate applications in each country, you designate the countries you need through one centralised filing — managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
ZenPoint advises on Madrid strategy, handles the international application through IP India, and guides you through classification and designation decisions for each target country.
What We Do
- International filing strategy — which countries, which classes, and when to file.
- Madrid application preparation — filed through IP India as the office of origin.
- Country designation guidance — tailored to your business expansion plans.
- Subsequent designations — add countries later as your brand grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Indian registration first?
You need either a registered mark or a pending application in India as the base for a Madrid filing. We can handle both the Indian application and the international extension.
Is Madrid cheaper than filing separately in each country?
Generally yes, especially when designating multiple countries. However, costs depend on the specific countries and classes. We provide a clear fee estimate before filing.
Can I add more countries later?
Yes. Subsequent designations allow you to extend your international registration to additional countries at any time as your brand expands.
Expanding your brand internationally?
Speak with a consultant about your Madrid Protocol options.
Request a trademark review →Madrid Protocol filing is the most efficient and cost-effective method for Indian businesses and individuals to protect their trademark internationally across 130+ countries through a single application filed with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). ZenPoint Trademark, based in India, specializes in Madrid Protocol international trademark registration, helping clients secure brand protection in multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
What is the Madrid Protocol?
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty administered by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) that allows trademark owners to seek protection in multiple member countries by filing a single application in one language, paying one set of fees, and managing the portfolio through a single registration. For Indian applicants, the Indian Trademark Office acts as the Office of Origin for Madrid Protocol applications, making it the starting point for international filings.
Benefits of Filing Under the Madrid Protocol
Filing a Madrid Protocol application offers several key advantages over filing individual national trademark applications in each country. First, it significantly reduces the cost of international trademark registration, as one consolidated fee replaces multiple national fees. Second, it simplifies the administrative process — a single application covers all designated countries. Third, it allows trademark owners to add new countries to their registration at any time by filing a subsequent designation. Fourth, renewals are managed centrally through WIPO every 10 years, covering all designated countries simultaneously.
Countries Covered Under Madrid Protocol
The Madrid Protocol currently covers 130+ member countries, including major markets such as the United States, European Union (all member states), China, Japan, Australia, UK, Canada, UAE, Singapore, and many others. This broad coverage makes the Madrid Protocol an ideal route for Indian businesses looking to expand their brand internationally. ZenPoint Trademark can help you identify the most commercially important countries for your specific business and industry.
How to File a Madrid Protocol Application from India
To file a Madrid Protocol international trademark application from India, you must first have an existing trademark application or registration in India. The international application is then filed through the Indian Trade Marks Registry, which forwards it to WIPO. WIPO examines the application for formal compliance and then sends it to each designated country for national examination. Each country has 12 to 18 months to raise any objections under their national laws.
ZenPoint Trademark: Your Trusted Partner for Madrid Protocol Filing
ZenPoint Trademark is a leading trademark services firm in India with deep expertise in Madrid Protocol international trademark registration. Our team of qualified trademark attorneys and agents assists businesses — from startups to large corporations — in preparing and filing robust Madrid Protocol applications. We conduct comprehensive trademark searches in target countries before filing, advise on class selection, draft responses to office actions from foreign trademark offices, and monitor your international trademark portfolio throughout its lifecycle.
Madrid Protocol Filing Fees and Timeline
The cost of a Madrid Protocol application depends on the number of countries designated and the number of trademark classes. WIPO charges a basic fee plus individual fees for each designated country. The typical processing timeline is 12 to 18 months from the date of filing, depending on the examination timelines in each designated country. ZenPoint Trademark provides transparent fee estimates and works efficiently to ensure your application is filed without delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Madrid Protocol Filing
Is the Madrid Protocol available for Indian trademark applicants? Yes, India is a member of the Madrid Protocol system. Indian businesses and individuals can file international trademark applications through the Indian Trade Marks Registry as the Office of Origin. The application must be based on an existing Indian trademark application or registration.
How many countries can I cover with a single Madrid Protocol application? You can designate as many of the 130+ member countries as you wish in a single Madrid Protocol application. You are not required to designate all countries — you select only the specific countries where you want trademark protection, and pay the fees for those countries accordingly.
What happens if the base Indian trademark application is refused or abandoned? Under the Madrid Protocol system, the international registration depends on the base application or registration for a period of five years from the date of the international registration. If the base mark is refused, cancelled, or abandoned during this five-year period, the international registration may be affected. ZenPoint Trademark monitors both the base application and the international registration to safeguard your trademark rights.
Can I add more countries to my Madrid Protocol registration after filing? Yes. You can add new countries to your existing international registration at any time by filing a subsequent designation with WIPO. This is one of the most flexible features of the Madrid Protocol system, allowing your international trademark portfolio to grow alongside your business expansion into new markets.
Get Started with Madrid Protocol International Trademark Registration
Ready to protect your brand internationally? Contact ZenPoint Trademark today for a consultation on Madrid Protocol filing. Our expert team will assess your trademark portfolio, recommend the best countries to designate, and handle the entire international filing process on your behalf. With ZenPoint Trademark as your partner, you can focus on growing your business while we ensure your intellectual property is protected worldwide.
Why Choose ZenPoint Trademark for International Trademark Registration?
ZenPoint Trademark has successfully filed hundreds of international trademark applications under the Madrid Protocol for clients across various industries including technology, fashion, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Our end-to-end service covers trademark search, application drafting, WIPO filing, responding to examination reports from designated countries, and ongoing portfolio management. We provide regular status updates and ensure you never miss a deadline. Our transparent pricing and expert guidance make us the preferred choice for Indian businesses seeking global trademark protection through the Madrid Protocol system.