With today’s rapid growth in global trade, brands seek to gain a significant competitive advantage, not only in domestic markets but also in international markets. However, legal protection for trademarks is crucial to achieving this goal. International trademark registration provides this protection, providing businesses with a secure business environment.
Rights arising from Brands registration are protected only in the country of registration. With the development of international trade, it has become necessary for trademark owners operating in multiple countries to promote and seek protection for their trademarks. Therefore, trademarks must be registered in the countries where protection is sought.
Under the Madrid System, an application from Turkey may be submitted to the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) with a single application, provided that the international trademark promotion system is known as the Madrid System. The Madrid System allows for the registration of trademarks covering multiple countries with a single application, and subsequent transactions such as changes of ownership, address, and transfer of ownership covering multiple countries can be carried out in a single transaction. According to the Madrid Protocol, the authorized body for international trademark registration is the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), headquartered in Geneva.
Before registering an international trademark, strategically evaluate the countries in which registration should take place. You should consider the countries in which your company operates, the markets you plan to expand into in the future, and the potential competitive environment. For example, if you operate in EU member states, you can apply for protection across all EU member states with a single application.
An EU trademark (“EU trademark”) is a type of trademark valid in all EU member states. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) administers the registration systems. However, protection under this system is only granted in EU member states. The European Community trademark registration system (“OHIM”) provides protection with a single application in all EU member states and is valid in all countries. The competent office for the Community trademark registration system is the Office for Internal Harmonization in Spain. Turkey can register a collective trademark and obtain protection within the European Community under the Paris Convention, to which it is a party.
Registering with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) is a vital step for businesses seeking to protect their brands across African countries. This regional procedure simplifies the process, provides a unified framework for trademark registration, promotes economic growth, and protects intellectual property rights.
The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) is an intergovernmental organization composed of 17 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, and Togo. OAPI provides a centralized system for the protection of intellectual property rights, including trademarks.
Registering a trademark with OAPI provides a cost-effective way to obtain protection in multiple countries. The uniform registration covers all member states, simplifying the process and reducing the administrative burden on businesses. This approach enhances market competitiveness and effectively protects trademarks within the OAPI region.
Why Register an International Brands?
This registration enables your trademark to be recognized internationally, protects you from companies seeking to imitate your brand name, enhances its value, expands its reach into new international markets, and, most importantly, increases its credibility.
Filing a trademark application abroad is a crucial step in protecting your brand and enhancing its value.