WIPO welcomes 57th member to Madrid Protocol

The Madrid Protocol on the international registration of marks entered into force in South Korea today, bringing the number of member countries to 57.

The agreement allows Korean trademark owners to obtain international registrations for their marks based on a Korean application or registration. Similarly, foreign trademark owners are now able to obtain international registrations protectable in South Korea based on applications or registrations in their home countries.

During the past three months, since the accession documents were submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Korean Intellectual Property Office has been busy recruiting staff and developing its computer system so that it can begin receiving applications based on the protocol as of today.

For background discussion, see Korea plans to join Madrid Protocol.

Yoon Bae Kim, Kims & Lees, Seoul