On Madrid, WIPO is stuck between a rock and Latin America

For many years, WIPO has been flirting with Latin America. WIPO expects a wave of accession to the Madrid Protocol in the region, which has repeatedly shrugged off Geneva's advances. Patricia Covarrubia this week reported that Congress in Colombia - the Latin American state favoured by WIPO to join first - has failed to discuss the proposed bill at recent meetings. It is a sorry situation indeed for mark owners keen to reduce costs while continuing to expand their businesses.