International Trademark Registration

What is international trademark registration

International trademark registration protects your trademark across international jurisdictions. At Sistem Patent, you can start the process by telling us which countries you want to register the mark in. For anyone looking to register in multiple countries, we recommend the Madrid Protocol, which Turkey is a party to and which is cost-effective compared to country-by-country filings.

Why register internationally

Trademarks registered in Turkey are protected only within Turkey’s borders. But trademark owners who export, attend fairs, or grant distributors abroad have to register their products and services in the relevant countries. International registration puts your trademark under legal protection abroad and secures your commercial operations there.

How do you file an international trademark registration

International trademark registration lets businesses protect their brands globally and build a competitive advantage. The first step is identifying the countries to file in. Businesses should first evaluate which markets they want to operate in and how much trademark protection they need there. After that evaluation, international systems come into play, the most widely used being the one based on the Madrid Protocol.

Before any international filing can go in, the mark has to be registered first in its home country. After that, the international filing process can start. If the Madrid Protocol is used, applications filed through TÜRKPATENT (the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office) become valid in the selected countries. If you are wondering which international trademark registration system to use based on your target countries, here are the main international trademark registration systems:

1. Madrid Protocol (WIPO)

The Madrid Protocol is an international agreement built to simplify trademark registration globally. First signed in 1891 and expanded over time, it lets trademark owners file for registration in multiple countries through a single application. The Protocol sets up a full framework for international trademark registration and makes the filing process simpler and cost-effective. Today, around 130 member countries and regions apply the Madrid System and benefit from it.

The core purpose of the Madrid Protocol is to protect trademarks internationally. The system works on the principle of requesting trademark protection in multiple countries through a single application, rather than country-by-country registrations. Filings go through WIPO (the World Intellectual Property Organization).

Trademark registration through the Madrid Protocol

The Madrid Protocol lets trademark owners register in multiple countries through a single application. The first step is preparing the filing file for the trademark. This file is submitted through TÜRKPATENT. It includes the trademark example, the trademark name, and the Nice classification of the goods and services the mark is used on.

Applications through the Madrid Protocol are filed with TÜRKPATENT. Applications filed directly with WIPO are rejected. TÜRKPATENT reviews the application and can request additional documents where needed. If the application is approved, the trademark is protected in the countries listed on the filing. The Madrid Protocol is a significant contribution to effective international trademark protection and registration.

Advantages of the Madrid Protocol

The Madrid Protocol offers several advantages for businesses filing international trademarks.

• Single filing for multiple countries. A trademark can be registered in multiple countries through a single application. The result is cost-effective international trademark registration. A single application process minimizes the cost and time loss of country-by-country filings.
• Time savings. Traditional trademark processes often require separate documentation compiled to each country’s rules. The Madrid System standardizes the filing process, eliminating that burden and substantially reducing the time required for trademark registration.
• International recognition. A brand gets recognized internationally. The brand’s global reach expands, and it gets in front of a wider customer base.

Madrid Protocol member countries

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Albania
• Armenia
• Austria
• Australia
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Bahrain
• Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba
• Bhutan
• Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands)
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Switzerland
• China
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Curaçao
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Egypt
• European Union
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• United Kingdom
• Georgia
• Ghana
• Greece
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Israel
• Iran
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Mexico
• North Korea
• South Korea
• Kazakhstan
• Liechtenstein
• Liberia, Lesotho
• Lithuania
• Latvia
• Morocco, Monaco
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• North Macedonia
• Mongolia
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Sultanate of Oman
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Serbia
• Russian Federation
• Sudan
• Sweden
• Singapore
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Sierra Leone
• San Marino
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Saint Martin
• Syria
• Eswatini
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Ukraine
• United States
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Zambia

2. European Union trademark registration

EU trademark registration is the process of legally protecting a trademark across EU member countries. Trademark registration practice inside the European Union is run by EUIPO (the European Union Intellectual Property Office). Registration gives the owner the right to use the trademark for a specific period and block unauthorized use by others.

A registered mark has the same rights not just in a single country but across the whole geographic area of the EU. A trademark registered at the EU level is valid in all 27 member states.

Because Turkey is a party to the Paris Convention, individuals and legal entities based in Turkey can file EU trademark registrations.

The EU trademark registration process follows a set of steps, each with its own requirements. First, to make the process smoother, we run a trademark search and collect information on other registered trademarks. If the mark is cleared for filing, we file it as the attorney firm through EUIPO.

Second, we prepare the documents required for the EU trademark application. Those documents are:

• Turkish trademark application or trademark registration certificate
• Power of attorney
• Identity details for individual applicants
• Trade activity certificate for company applicants (chamber of commerce registration certificate)
• Detailed information about the trademark name, classification, and the products or services it will be used on

The required filing fee has to be paid as part of the application; the fee varies based on the classes chosen for the trademark registration. Another factor to track in the process is how long it takes. Filings usually resolve within 4-6 months, but the timeline can extend if there is an opposition or a request for additional documents.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

3. Africa OAPI trademark registration

OAPI is an industrial property cooperation organization set up by French-speaking African countries. It enables a single application to register a trademark across multiple African countries. The goal is to protect industrial property rights among member states. Trademark law is treated as a single jurisdiction among OAPI member states; national trademark registration inside member states is not an option. The registration process is based on the 1977 Bangui and 1962 Libreville agreements, and existing registrations extend to new member states as well.

1. Filing: after the trademark application is filed, the mark is registered within 10-12 months.
2. Opposition period: the trademark can be opposed within 6 months of publication.
3. Registration term: the trademark registration term is 10 years. At the end of the term, the owner can renew the registration.
4. Renewal grace period: an additional 6 months is allowed after the term ends.

The registered trademark has to be used commercially within 5 years of the filing date. Third parties can have the trademark cancelled on the basis of non-use. Use in any one member state is considered use across all member states.

• Single filing, multiple countries: a single application covers registration in all OAPI member states.
• Cost advantage: a single filing for multiple countries cuts overall filing costs.
• Single language: only French is used for the filing.
• Single currency: payments are made in a single country’s currency.

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Chad
• Equatorial Guinea
• Ivory Coast
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Cameroon
• Congo
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Central African Republic
• Senegal
• Togo

4. Russia trademark registration

Trademark registration in the Russian Federation is important for getting your brand under legal protection in that large market. The current Russian trademark legislation was last revised in 2008. Russia is a party to the Madrid Protocol, so Madrid Protocol filings are also available. The focus below is on direct filings through the Russian Federation’s trademark office.

To file a trademark with the Russian Federation trademark office, you have to work with a registered official trademark agent. Sistem Patent handles Russian trademark filings through our specialist team. The filing process usually resolves within 12-14 months.

Russian trademark registrations are based on the 10th edition of the Nice classification. The classification defines which products or services your trademark covers, and getting it right is critical for effective protection.

Russian trademark registrations provide 10 years of protection. At the end of that term, the registration can be renewed every 10 years. Our agents handle the renewals as well.

After filing a Russian trademark, the mark has to be commercially used within 3 years. Otherwise, third parties can file to cancel the registration on the basis of non-use.

Get in touch with Sistem Patent to protect and register your trademark in the Russian Federation. Our professional support and advisory services protect your brand in the international market. For reliable and fast results on Russian trademark filings, contact us.

5. United States trademark registration

Trademark registration in the United States is run by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Registration is important for protecting trademarks, and the process follows a specific set of steps. Here are the main points of the US trademark registration process:

• Prior search: before filing, checking the USPTO’s online TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System) database for similar or identical trademarks is important. This step helps prevent likely refusals down the road.
• Trademark application: if the search returns no similar mark, the trademark application is filed through USPTO’s online system. The filing includes the trademark name, logo (if any), the product or service categories, and payment of the required fees.
• Application review: after filing, a USPTO officer reviews the application. The officer decides whether the application meets the trademark registration criteria.
• Public notice: after approval, the trademark is published in the USPTO’s Official Gazette. The publication gives other trademark owners the right to oppose the application. The opposition period is usually 30 days.
• Oppositions: if an opposition is filed, a specific process is followed to resolve it. Oppositions can sometimes take a long time to settle.
• Registration: if no opposition is filed, or if filed oppositions are resolved, the trademark is registered. The registration certificate is mailed.

Renewal: US trademark registrations are valid for an initial 10 years. Between the 5th and 6th years of the first registration, you have to file a declaration of use. At the end of 10 years, you can renew the registration.

If you want to protect your brand in the US market and build a global presence, the right partner is the key to success. With Sistem Patent, get the US trademark registration process completed smoothly and effectively. Contact us now to protect your trademark in the United States.

Our international trademark search and registration services cover the full process. To put your trademark under legal protection abroad and secure your commercial operations, get in touch.

For more information on international trademark search and registration, or to file an application, visit our office or use our online services. As Sistem Patent trademark agents, we provide the same accurate and reliable service on international trademark filings as we do in Turkey.