Two key representatives from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Madrid Registry visited our office on September 19 to understand the needs of Indian applicants seeking global trademark protection and gather insights into their experiences with the Madrid System for international trademark registration provided by WIPO.
David MULS, Senior Director, Madrid Registry, Brands and Designs Sector (BDS), WIPO, and Benoît APERCÉ, Communications and Information Manager, Madrid Information and Promotion Division, Madrid Registry, BDS, WIPO, were the delegates.
During the meeting, several critical points and suggestions were shared including:
- Expansion of Madrid Protocol Jurisdiction: It was suggested that WIPO expand the Madrid Protocol’s jurisdiction to include additional jurisdictions, specifically the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. This would broaden the scope of global trademark protection for Indian applicants.
- Transformation and Divisional Applications: Discussions were held on the challenges faced with Transformation and Divisional applications within the Madrid System. It was recommended that WIPO forward these concerns to the Indian IP Office for potential consideration.
- Provisional Refusal and Reply Timeframe: Concerns were raised regarding the limited timeframe for responding to provisional refusals for some of the member countries. It was highlighted that the lack of provisions for filing extensions presents a significant challenge for Indian applicants and a request was made for WIPO to address this issue.
These points were shared to improve the efficiency and accessibility of the Madrid System for Indian stakeholders and foster closer coordination between WIPO and the Indian IP Office.