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IP Lawyer
5/5 | 120+ clients Served
In today’s globalised economy, your brand is your most valuable asset. If you are an Indian business looking to expand into markets like the USA, Europe, China, or Australia, securing your intellectual property is the first step toward long-term success.
At Escalade Legal, we specialise in navigating the complexities of International Trademark Registration in India, ensuring your brand remains protected across borders through the efficient Madrid Protocol system.
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty designed to simplify the process of registering trademarks in multiple countries. Instead of filing separate applications in different languages and dealing with various national legal systems, the Madrid System allows an applicant to file one single application with a single office, in one language and pay one set of fees.
Administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), this system is the gold standard for global brand protection. For Indian entrepreneurs, Madrid Protocol India serves as a gateway to global markets, offering a streamlined administrative process.
File in English, French, or Spanish, avoiding expensive translation costs.
Gain access to over 80% of world trade through a single filing.
Manage your entire global portfolio and renew protection every 10 years through a single administrative step.
Significantly reduces the legal and administrative overhead associated with Madrid Trademark Registration.
Many Indian business owners mistakenly believe that a trademark registered with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) provides global protection. However, trademark rights are territorial. This means a trademark registered in India is NOT automatically protected abroad.
If you export goods or offer services online to customers in the UK or UAE without International Trademark Protection, a local entity in those countries could register your brand name first, effectively blocking your entry or suing you for infringement.
Using the International Trademark Filing process is essential because:
It stops others from "stealing" your logo, brand name and trademark in foreign jurisdictions.
A global trademark portfolio is an intangible asset that increases the valuation of your company during funding or acquisition.
It provides you with the legal standing to take action against counterfeiters in international markets under International Trademark Law.
Escalade Legal is an internationally affiliated intellectual property law firm with strong global credentials and recognised professional memberships. The firm is officially associated with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) administered intellectual property systems, including international trademark and patent frameworks, enabling seamless cross-border IP protection for clients.
Escalade Legal is also a proud member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) , reflects our active engagement with leading global and regional IP bodies. These affiliations underscore the firm’s commitment to international best practices, policy awareness, and high-quality legal services in trademarks, patents, copyrights, and allied intellectual property matters.
These define the purpose of the trademark
International trademarks are classified into 45 classes (Nice Classification) to determine the scope of protection:
The journey from a local brand to an international icon involves a structured process. Here is how the International Registration of Trademarks in India typically unfolds:
To use the Madrid Protocol, you must first have an active trademark application or registration in India. This is known as the "Basic Application."
We prepare the MM2 form. The Indian Trademark Registry must certify that the details in the international application match your Indian base mark.
Once certified, the application is forwarded to WIPO in Geneva.
WIPO conducts a formal examination (not a legal one) to ensure all fees are paid and classifications are correct.
WIPO records the mark in the International Register and notifies the trademark offices of the countries you have selected.
Each country's office examines the mark according to their local laws. They have 12 to 18 months to notify WIPO of any objections.
If no objections are raised (or after objections are resolved), the mark is protected in that country just as if it had been registered locally.
International protection is no longer just for Fortune 500 companies. If your business falls into any of the following categories, you should prioritise International Trademark Filing:
Indian skincare, apparel, or home decor brands selling via Shopify or Amazon Global to international customers.
Software is borderless. Protect your brand name before launching on global app stores
Manufacturers of garments, spices, or machinery who export to Europe, the Middle East, or the Americas.
Protecting the "look and feel" and brand name in fashion hubs like France, Italy, and the USA.
Platforms providing courses to students located outside India.
Our attorneys understand the nuances of different jurisdictions, from the "intent to use" requirements in the US to the "first-to-file" systems in China.
From the initial search and filing in India to communicating with WIPO, we manage the entire lifecycle of your application.
We don’t just file everywhere, we help you select the right member countries based on your business roadmap to optimise your Madrid Protocol Trademark Registration budget.
No hidden costs. We provide a clear breakdown of WIPO fees and professional charges upfront.
If a foreign trademark office issues a "Provisional Refusal," our global network of associates helps us file responses effectively.
Meet our experienced legal team for clear, strategic advice on intellectual property cases. Schedule a consultation with Escalade Legal and take the next step with confidence.
Visit our office at Cunningham Road, Bengaluru
An international trademark is a legal mechanism that allows a trademark owner to seek protection for the same trademark in multiple countries. It does not create a single worldwide trademark but enables centralised filing and management of trademark rights in selected jurisdictions, commonly through the Madrid System administered by WIPO.
International Trademark Registration is the process of obtaining legal rights for your brand name, logo, or slogan in multiple foreign countries. Under the Madrid Protocol, this is done through a single centralised application managed by WIPO.
You do not necessarily need a registered mark, but you must have at least a pending application in India. This “Base Application” serves as the foundation for your international request.
To register an international trademark from India, the applicant must first file or own a trademark in India. An international application is then filed through the Indian Trademark Office under the Madrid Protocol, designating the countries where trademark protection is required.
Yes, a trademark can be registered in a different country, provided the applicant follows the trademark laws of that jurisdiction. Indian businesses commonly use the Madrid Protocol to extend protection abroad, avoiding the need to file separate applications in each country and ensuring efficient international trademark protection.
The fees include the WIPO basic fee (in Swiss Francs), individual country fees for each nation selected, the Indian Registry’s handling fee and professional service charges.
International Trademark Registration Fees are the costs involved in protecting a trademark in multiple countries, usually through the Madrid Protocol system. These fees include a mandatory WIPO basic filing fee, additional country-wise designation fees and charges based on the number of trademark classes selected.
Since the application is filed from India, there may also be an Indian Trademark Office handling fee. In addition, professional or legal fees are charged for drafting, filing and managing the application. The total cost varies depending on the countries chosen, classes covered, and whether the trademark is filed in color or black and white.
Note: The WIPO fee increases if your trademark is in color or if you file in more than three classes of goods/services.
IP Lawyer Venkata Raghavan and the legal team at Escalade Legal can assist you with filing International Trademark Registrations and Madrid Protocol applications from India.
With expertise in international trademark law, they provide end-to-end support, from eligibility assessment and country selection to application filing, handling office actions, and ensuring compliance with WIPO and national trademark authorities. Whether you are a startup, exporter, or established brand expanding globally, Escalade Legal offers professional guidance tailored to your business needs.
Yes. Since India joined the Madrid Protocol in 2013, any individual or business with a “real and effective” industrial or commercial establishment in India (or Indian citizenship) can use the system.
The Madrid System is an international framework that simplifies trademark registration across multiple countries. It provides a centralised procedure for filing, renewing, and managing trademarks internationally, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses expanding beyond domestic markets.
The Madrid System is a global trademark filing system managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It allows trademark owners to apply for protection in over 130 countries using a single application, one language, and a centralized management framework.
The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty that India is a member of, allowing Indian trademark owners to file one international application to seek trademark protection in multiple member countries. The application is filed through the Indian Trademark Office and administered by WIPO.
Any individual, company, or entity that has a real and effective business establishment, domicile, or nationality in India and has filed or registered a trademark in India can file a Madrid application for international trademark registration.
International trademark filing under the Madrid Protocol involves preparing an application based on an Indian trademark, selecting member countries, paying WIPO and designation fees, and submitting the application through the Indian Trademark Registry, which forwards it to WIPO for processing.
While the filing is immediate, the examination process in designated countries typically takes 12 to 18 months. However, your protection date usually tracks back to the date of your international application.
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