International trademark registrations through Madrid Protocol for Philippines possible starting at 25. July 2012.

Philippine trademark holders and applicants can now file more easily trademark applications in more than 80 countries after President Benigno Aquino III signed the Instrument of Accession of the Philippines to the Madrid Protocol on 25 April 2012. Madrid Protocol operations in IPOPHL will commence on 25 July 2012.

Currently, a Philippine trademark holder seeking protection abroad has to apply separately in every country of interest. This involves different application forms, languages and payments in different currencies.

The Madrid Protocol will provide a cost-effect, centralized procedure that will allow a trademark owner to obtain protection for its mark in different countries by filing one international application in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (“IPOPHL”).

An international trademark registration can be ordered here.