On March 28, 2003, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") issued proposed rules for its implementation of the Madrid Protocol, an international treaty that will significantly affect U.S. trademarks and their owners. See http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/fr_madrid.htm. While the Protocol goes into effect in the U.S. on November 2, 2003, trademark owners and practitioners should use this interim period to familiarize themselves with the Protocol and evaluate how best to use it to maximize international trademark protection.
The Protocol (not to be confused with the trademark-related Madrid Agreement of 1891) has been in force outside the U.S. since April 1, 1996. It provides a centralized process through which member countries can apply to register trademarks, and maintain trademark registrations, in other member countries.
