Registering across borders
Trademark rights are normally granted country by country. Even so, a few systems let you file once and be protected in several places at the same time. Here are the main ones:
- European Union Trade Mark (EUTM): one registration that applies throughout the European Union.
- Benelux Office for Intellectual Property: a single filing that covers Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
- Madrid System: lets you seek international registration through one application.
- Regional organizations: bodies such as the African Intellectual Property Organization offer protection across their member regions.
Why they matter
With these options, businesses can secure trademark protection in multiple countries or regions with far less effort than filing separately in each one.