International Trademark Registration

Trademark registration in each country separately. Different countries have slightly different trademark laws and procedures in place for registering trademarks, the lead time required for registration varies, and the validity period, fees and usage requirements for trademarks vary from country to country.

I. Single country registration 

Trademark registration in each country separately. Different countries have slightly different trademark laws and procedures in place for registering trademarks, the lead time required for registration varies, and the validity period, fees and usage requirements for trademarks vary from country to country. 

II. Madrid trademark international registration 

So far, there are 83 contracting states in Madrid. Madrid trademark international registration system is a kind of trademark international registration among all contracting parties in Madrid, Madrid application needs domestic application basis, its biggest feature is that only one application needs to be submitted to designate multiple contracting parties for registration. 

III. EU trademark registration 

At present, there are 27 EU member states. Application for trademark registration in EU countries can take the route of single country application and Madrid international registration. The advantages of this route are the cost savings, the simplicity of the procedure and the fact that once registered, it is valid in all EU countries. The disadvantage is that the entire EU application is rejected whenever a rejection is encountered or an objection is raised in a member state that results in the registration being ultimately rejected. 

IV. Trademark Registration of African Intellectual Property Organization 

The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI for short) is a union of countries that are former French colonies and whose official language is French for the protection of intellectual property rights, with 16 member countries. Its member states are bound by the African Intellectual Property Organization (AIPO) in the field of trademarks without having their own separate trademark regimes. The African Intellectual Property Organization has an Intellectual Property Office in Cameroon, which oversees trademark matters in the member countries. Trademark registration is protected in all member states after approval. Since the member countries of the African Intellectual Property Organization do not have their own trademark system, there is no possibility of country-by-country registration, and registration can only be done through the African Intellectual Property Organization. 

The procedure of international trademark registration is more complicated, and the applicant needs to be familiar with foreign trademark laws and have experience in international trademark application, and there are some matters that need special attention when applying for international trademark registration: 

1. clearing obstacles by registering trademarks in exporting countries even before the products are exported 

2. When handling international trademark registration, one should fully understand the relevant international or regional treaties, agreements or regulations, and conduct international trademark registration in a focused, selective and targeted manner according to the strength of the enterprise. 

3. When registering international trademarks, you must choose a professional trademark agency, which can improve the success rate of trademark registration.