In great news for companies that file trade marks internationally, the Government of the United Arab Emirates has agreed to join the Madrid Protocol from 28 December 2021.

The Madrid Protocol system makes it possible to protect a mark in a large number of countries by obtaining an international registration that has effect in each of the designated Contracting Parties.

The UAE has been a difficult country for companies intending to file international trade mark applications due to a number of expensive formalities that were required to be fulfilled prior to filing. Accession to the Madrid Protocol does away with these requirements. It should mean that businesses wishing to access the UAE trade mark system find it easier and less expensive to do so.

Along with Oman and Bahrain, the accession of the UAE means three MENA countries have now joined the Madrid Protocol.

If your business has filed Madrid Protocol applications in the past, it may be time to review the countries included in the application as in the last 5 years a number of new jurisdictions have joined including:

• Pakistan

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Malaysia

• Canada

• Brazil

• Samoa

• Malawi

• Indonesia

• Afghanistan

• Brunei Darussalam

• Thailand