20 international trademark applications seen as Phl joins Madrid Protocol

MANILA, Philippines - At least 200 applications for international trademarks are expected to be filed when the country’s accession to the Madrid Protocol takes effect later this month, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said yesterday.

IPOPHL director general Ricardo Blancaflor said in a briefing that the agency can start accepting applications for trademarks under the Madrid system starting July 25.

“For those who have expressed interest so far (for the application), we are looking at 200 marks,” he said.

He said those that have expressed interest in filing applications for trademarks under the Madrid system are engaged in the food, banking and garments business.

President Aquino signed the instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol in March.

With the accession to the Madrid Protocol, Philippine-based trademark owners can seek registration in any of the 85 signatory countries of the pact by filing a single application.

In the past, Filipino trademark holders had to file applications in different countries for the protection of their marks abroad.

Blancaflor said the Madrid system not only allows Filipino trademark holders to register their marks with ease but also allows them to do it at a lower cost.

He said trademark applications in the US will have to pay a fee of $400 while applications made in the Philippines will be less than $100.

He said that apart from Filipino enterprises being able to file multiple country applications to protect marks with ease and in a cost-effective manner, more international brands are expected to come to the Philippines as the accession to the Madrid system provides an environment that ensures the protection of marks.

“The bulk (of international brands) are expected to come from Europe,” he said.

For his part, Derek Page, director for trade and investments at the British Embassy in Manila, said in the same event that the country’s accession to the Madrid Protocol would encourage more British companies to do business here.

“This is very welcome from the UK (United Kingdom) perspective because it enables to promote the Philippines as a market where you will find confidence that IPR (intellectual property rights) and trademarks will have protection,” he said.

He said the Philippines, being a contracting party to the Madrid Protocol, will also allow the country to simplify the bureaucracy in registering the trademark.

“Anything that lessens bureaucracy and red tape is very welcome,” he said further.