The United States is a party to the Madrid Protocol, an international treaty simplifying and centralizing the process for registering trademarks on an international basis. This treaty allows owners of U.S. trademark...more
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently published its annual Madrid Yearly Review, offering a comprehensive overview of the facts, figures, and analyses of the international registration of marks....more
The blog post, “What are the Types of Trademarks,” explained the distinction between Trademarks, Service Marks, State Marks, Federal Marks, and Common Law Marks, which are common types of protection for marks in the United...more
This webinar will highlight Canada-specific issues for those pursuing Canadian designations of international registrations. Our speakers will outline surprising challenges and unexpected issues that can arise with the...more
While the United States Patent & Trademark office is experiencing an inordinately long backlog, U.S. companies seeking to protect their marks internationally are feeling the impact of the extended wait time, and particularly...more
My previous blog post, “What are the Types of Trademarks,” explained the distinction between Trademarks, Service Marks, State Marks, Federal Marks, and Common Law Marks, which are common types of protection for marks in the...more
The Republic of Chile joined the Madrid Protocol on July 4, 2022, making it the 111th member of the Madrid System. The country is the latest in Latin America to accede to the multinational trademark registration system,...more
The general rule under U.S. trademark law is that the first to use a trademark in U.S. commerce has priority in the mark over other "would-be" users of the same, or confusingly similar, mark. This applies in both common law...more
In the latest expansion of the Madrid System, the United Arab Emirates will join the Madrid Protocol on December 28, 2021. The UAE is the third country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (along with Bahrain and Oman) to join the...more
Until just a few years ago, most Canadian brand owners doing business abroad had limited options for protecting their trademarks outside of Canada. They were obliged to file separate applications in each country of interest,...more
Canada has established itself as an attractive jurisdiction in which to do business. It has a stable economy, a high-income population, a business-friendly environment and has long led the G7 in growth. It also has especially...more
The European Union (“EU”) has shaped and developed Intellectual property (“IP”) policy extensively over the years. IP law in EU member states is today largely a matter of EU law. Key areas of IP are dominated by EU rights and...more
Nowadays, the concept of business can rarely prescind from globalization. But the rules and regulations that provide Intellectual Property protection have not always been able to keep up with the internationalization of...more
It is time. Trademarks off-world have been debated for decades, but nothing has yet been done, despite humans being in space for 63 years. However, with multiple countries now traveling into outer space, and ‘low Earth...more
The United States is a party to the Madrid Protocol, an international treaty simplifying the process for registering trademarks on an international basis. This treaty allows owners of U.S. trademark registrations and pending...more
Foreign brand owners can file trademark applications in China as national applications (CNAs) or International Registrations (IRs) under the Madrid Protocol. There are pros and cons to each route, and brand owners may find it...more
Imagine that you are a founder of a revolutionary technology startup in Canada. Your company is about to release its blockbuster product that will disrupt the entire industry and catapult your company to fame and...more
Brexit finally arrived on Jan. 31, 2020, and we are now in the period during which the UK and EU will negotiate the final rules governing their future. During this transition period, the UK and EU will continue to recognize...more
Wondering why you haven’t received any updates on the progress of your client’s Madrid Protocol application designating Canada? After reading that question, are you wondering what on earth a Madrid Protocol application is?...more
If you filed a Madrid application on behalf of your client, and designated Canada, you should have received a “Courtesy Letter” from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) advising you as follows...more