Foreign markets are organized, and trademarks are registered as the first moat. However, many applicants do not know how to choose from a variety of ways to register. Different approaches have different coverage, costs, processes, and wrong choices not only waste money, but may also lead to gaps in brand protection。
Today, wei systematically introduces six overseas trademark registration routes to help you match the needs of the sea and efficiently manage the global brand layout
1. Single-country registration
Single-country registration refers to the most basic and flexible form of registration by which an application for registration is submitted directly to the national/regional trademark authorities。
Coverage:
Only for individual countries/areas of application, the scope of protection is precise。
• applicable scenarios:
1 operations are focused on only 1-2 core markets
Countries using local trademark classification criteria
3 countries not covered by other means of registration。
:: strengths:
The process is transparent and allows direct local review of rules
(b) flexibility to respond to local objections, rejections and more efficient advocacy
Some countries have short registration cycles, such as those in the united kingdom, germany and others that do not examine the trademark。
Madrid trademark registration
The madrid international trademark registry, a global trademark registration system administered by the world intellectual property organization (wipo), is known as the “multinational layout divine” and allows for one-time simultaneous applications from designated countries。
Coverage:
To date, the system has 115 member states, covering 131 countries/regions, including important economies such as central america and europe and japan。
• applicable scenarios:
Plan 1 to deploy more than three madrid system countries/regions in pursuit of efficient and low-cost
2 there are domestic applicants for application/registration of basic trademarks。
:: strengths:
One application, one language and one contribution, which would cover multiple countries simultaneously
(b) relatively low fees, with only one basic registration fee for the designation of multiple member states
3 process harmonization is easier to manage and is processed by wipo and then transferred to target countries。
3. Eu trademark registration
European union trademarks are centrally managed by the european union intellectual property agency (eupo) and, when successfully registered, are protected within the 27 member states of the european union, which is the preferred option for the european market。
Coverage:
The 27 member states of the eu, including the german, french, italian and western core economies, do not need to apply to the member states alone (note that the united kingdom is de-registered separately)。
• applicable scenarios:
1 plans to operate in several countries of the eu
New start-ups for european operations
Cross-border electricians need to quickly seize markets。
:: strengths:
One application, one language and one payment, covering several european union countries
Significant savings in process costs such as translation, notarization, etc.
The authorization cycle is relatively short and, if the process is smooth, the regular cycle can be authorized for four to six months。
4. Registered at the african intellectual property organization
The african intellectual property organization (oapi) is a regional wipo of 17 french-speaking countries in west and central africa. Member states have waived their right to review trademark registrations on an autonomous basis and oapi-issued trademark registration certificates are automatically effective in member states。
Coverage:
Trademarks are licensed and protected in 17 member states。
• applicable scenarios:
It is planned to reach several french-speaking countries in africa in the pursuit of low-cost coverage of african markets。
:: strengths:
One application, covering 17 countries, will facilitate the application process
2 no basis requirement for registration。
5. Registration of the african regional industrial property organization
The african regional industrial property organization (aripo), which mainly covers eastern and southern english-speaking african countries, has developed two major regional intellectual property systems with oapi, with more flexible patterns of registration。
Coverage:
Twenty-two member states, such as south africa, kenya, nigeria and others, could also designate several countries to apply。
• applicable scenarios:
The planned access to the english-speaking african market requires flexibility in the selection of applicants who cover the country and seek differential protection。
:: strengths:
Member states may be selected as needed to avoid covering markets that are not needed and to reduce costs
If the application is rejected in one of the designated states, it may nevertheless be registered in another。
6. Registration of the intellectual property authority of biholu
The biholu intellectual property office (boip), which is responsible for the registration of trademarks in belgium, the netherlands and luxembourg, is a small but efficient means of regional registration in europe。
Coverage:
Only belgium, the netherlands and luxembourg are covered and successful registration takes effect at the same time。
• applicable scenarios:
It also operates in the three countries of biholu。
:: strengths:
1 less than the cost of a separate register of three countries
(b) the four official languages supporting the dutch, french, german, english and suitable for the multilingual market
The three countries have similar legal systems and are more effective in defending their rights。
There is no “best” but “best” means of registration for overseas trademarks, and the applicant should choose the most suitable means of registration based on his or her own market layout and strategic needs. If you are not sure what type of registration should be chosen, we are welcome to consult with you. We are well aware of the flexible layout strategies that will allow your brand to move more steadily and further into the international market。
