Madrid Highlights 2/2016: 125 Years of the Madrid System
April 14, 2016 marked a milestone anniversary for the Madrid System: 125 years since its first governing treaty (the Madrid Agreement) was adopted in Madrid in 1891. Over the years, the System has grown from its nine original signatories to include 97 members, covering 113 countries. Read more about the anniversary and the past developments.
Throughout its evolution, the Madrid System has adopted new features, including new working languages and electronic tools, in order to better support right holders as they perform various transactions throughout the lifecycle of their registration. A testament to the System’s benefits and convenience, well over a million marks have been registered by multinationals, SMEs and individual entrepreneurs from around the world since the System’s inception.
The New Madrid Monitor Search Tool
Searching for information on international marks recorded under the Madrid System has just become easier. Users are invited to try and comment on the new Madrid Monitor tool, which integrates in one application functionalities and information currently accessible through ROMARIN, the WIPO Gazette of International Marks, Madrid E-Alert and Real-Time Status.
With its intuitive search interface, Madrid Monitor allows you to access information available in the register and stay apprised of all activity and developments relating to your mark. We are currently collecting feedback on the Beta test version of Madrid Monitor, so don’t miss the opportunity to tell us what you think and help us tailor this tool, which will replace in coming months existing E-Services it encompasses.
The Working Group on the Legal Development of the Madrid System
The latest session of the Working Group on the Legal Development of the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks took place on June 13 to 17, 2016. Deliberations during this session led the Working Group to recommend changes to the Common Regulations with the aim of benefiting users and Offices of Contracting Parties of the Madrid System. Recommendations will be submitted to the Madrid Union Assembly for their formal adoption in October 2016.
Enhanced Madrid Client Records Unit Services
The availability of trademark documentation can prove essential to complying with administrative and court procedures, and to meeting requirements set by customs officials. WIPO is implementing solutions to improve access to relevant documents from the International Register.
Two new improvements were introduced to the services offered by the Madrid Client Records Unit:
– Cover pages [PDF] for extracts from the International Register in six languages; and
– expedited processing for attestations and copies of certificates of international registrations.
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