1. Trademarks and Brands The Role of WIPO
Martha Parra Friedli
Alicante, June 5 and 6, 2008

2. International Protection
of Marks
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
Madrid System Concerning the International Registration of Marks
Recent and Current Work in the area of Marks

3. The Paris Convention (PC)
Historically at the origin of the most important international agreements administered by WIPO
Established on March 20, 1883
Revised in 1900, 1911, 1925, 1934, 1958 and 1967
Amended in 1979
Members: 173

4. Recent Accessions (PC)
Saudi Arabia March 2004
Andorra June 2004
Pakistan July 2004
Comoros April 2005
Montenegro June 2006
Yemen February 2007
Angola December 2007
Thailand August 2008

5. Madrid System
The WIPO-administered Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks
offers a worldwide oriented route to trademark protection in multiple countries by filing a single application

6. Madrid System 82 Members Madrid Agreement
(adopted in 1891 and in force since 1893)
Madrid Protocol (adopted in 1989 and in force since 1996)
Common Regulations (adopted in 1996)
82 Members

7. Recent Accessions EU October 2004 Bahrain December 2005
Botswana December 2006
Montenegro June 2006
Viet Nam July 2006
Uzbekistan December 2006
Oman October 2007
Madagascar April 2008

8. The system provides
One single filing and affordable procedure in up to 82 Contracting Parties
Central administration of all changes subsequent to the international registration
Simpler, faster and very much affordable
Simplified management of a trademark portfolio

9. Major User CPs (Jan – Jul 2007)
Country
No. Filing
Growth
Share
Germany
3,388
7.0%
14.6%
France
2,308
6.9%
10.0% US
2,045
10.6%
8.8% EC
1,896
41.7%
8.2%
Switzerland
1,573
13.6%
6.8%
Italy
1,538
- 9.6%
6.6%
Benelux
1,537 0%
China
1,009
20.7%
4.3% UK
681
18.0%
2.9%
Austria
665
- 2.5%
2.8%
Australia
615
- 2.8%
2.7%
Japan
604
19.8%
2.6%

10. In 2007 WIPO received 40,000 applications (9.5% growth over 2006)
Applicants paid on average 3,549 CHF for an international registration
81% of registrations were less than 5,000 CHF
An average of 8.4 designations were made per each registration

11. more information at:

12. (international norm-setting)
Recent Work
WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT)
(international norm-setting)

13. The Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks
adopted on March 27, 2006

14. The Singapore Treaty Revised Trademark Law Treaty (1994)
Objective: harmonization and simplification of administrative requirements relating to the registration of marks
Mostly procedural aspects

15. Procedures covered application for registration
appointment of a representative
changes in name or addresses
correction of mistakes
transfer of ownership
renewal of registration
relief measures
recording of licenses

16. Ongoing Work
Results of a survey: “Questionnaire on Trademark Law and Practice”
Replies received from 73 Member States and three intergovernmental organizations
Document WIPO/Strad/INF/1, available at :

17. Ongoing Work Since November 2006
Non-Traditional Marks (“graphic” representation)
Trademark Opposition Procedures (possible areas of convergence)
Improvements in the Administration of Article 6ter PC
- Database
- Communication Procedures

18. Thank you!