FAQs for International Trademark Registration
The Madrid Protocol, administered by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is an international treaty that allows a trademark owner to seek registration in any of the countries that have joined the Madrid Protocol by filling a single application.
Singapore acceded and became a party to the Madrid Protocol in Oct 2000. Individuals and organisations need only to file one application in one language and pay one set of fees to protect your mark in the territories of up to 98 members.
Before filing for an International Trademark, you must first register your mark in Singapore (or country of origin). The classes of goods or services in your international mark application must be covered by your Singapore mark. You will be able to use your Singapore mark as a base of an international application, provided that the countries which you are seeking registration with are party to the Madrid Protocol.
The applicant needs to pay fees to both IPOS and WIPO for this filing. Administration fees to IPOS is at S$250, while WIPO charges in Swiss Francs and the fees are dependent if your mark is produced in black and white or colors, the Contracting Parties designated, and the number of classes of goods and services in your application.
A registered international trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of application, with terms and conditions to maintain its validity.
Madrid Monitor provides the status in real time of an international application being processed by WIPO and the status of your international registration in designated national/regional Offices. This allows you to see what is happening to your mark at any time.
Simply select “realtime search” in the left-hand column, then indicate your basic application or registration number, or your international registration number.
(Source: http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/how_to/monitor/eservices.html)