Qatar's Accession To The Madrid Protocol

On May 3rd, 2024, Qatar formally joined the Madrid System, marking its entry as the 115th member state. This significant step positions Qatar as the fourth member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to join, following Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE. The Madrid Protocol will take effect in Qatar on August 3rd, 2024.

The Madrid System offers unparalleled convenience, global reach, and cost efficiency in trademark registration. Applicants need only submit an international trademark (TM) application in one of the official languages (English, Spanish, French) and pay a single set of fees in Swiss Franc CHF. This application provides simultaneous protection in all signatory territories, covering approximately 80% of global trade. By streamlining registration and management processes, the Madrid System facilitates digital and centralized management of international trademark portfolios. This eliminates the need for multiple applications in individual countries, which often