Singapore acceded to the Madrid Protocol on 31 July 2000. Come 31 October 2000, persons with (a) real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in or (b) who are domiciled in or (c) nationals of Singapore may use the Madrid system of international registration of marks ("the Madrid System"). Under the Madrid System, an application for international registration must designate one or more countries in which the mark is to be protected. Further countries may be designated subsequently.
Upon acceptance for registration, the mark will be recorded in the International Register and will be published in the WIPO Gazette of International Marks. The international registration will bear the date on which the international application was filed with the Office of origin, provided it has been received by the International Bureau within two months of that date. Otherwise the International Registration will bear the date on which it was received by the International Bureau.
It must be noted that the Madrid System cannot be used to protect a trademark in a country which is outside the Madrid Union. An international registration is effective for a period of ten years and renewable for another ten years.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.