Official Government Release: 

Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, signed the Instrument of Accession to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, 1989 (Madrid Protocol).

This signing took place on Tuesday 22nd September, 2020 at the Ministry’s Headquarters.

The Madrid Protocol is one of two treaties comprising the Madrid System for international registration of trademarks. The Protocol is a filing treaty that allows a single international application to be filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) through a national or regional Intellectual Property (IP) Office, in one language, with one set of fees, in one currency.

It provides a cost-effective and efficient way for trademark holders (individuals and/or businesses) to ensure protection for their marks in multiple countries.

Moreover, it eliminates the requirement for a local agent to file the initial application.

The signing of the Madrid Protocol follows Trinidad and Tobago’s accession on September 3, 2019 to one Convention and three Treaties on the protection of performers, producers of phonograms and broadcasting organisations; trademarks; audio-visual performances; and published works for visually impaired or otherwise print disabled persons.

Further to the signing, the Instrument of Accession will be deposited with the Director General of WIPO and shall enter into force three (3) months after the date of the deposit. Upon entry into force, the filing of applications for registration of trademarks by Trinidad and Tobago trademark holders (individuals and businesses) will be more convenient and cost-effective.