http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/business/top-business-news/23798-aquino-signs-madrid-protocolAquino
signs Madrid Protocol Published on 29 May 2012Hits:1,271Written
byRAADEE S. SAUSA09074THE Philippines is now a member of the
Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the
International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol) with the
deposit of the instrument of accession with the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO).
President Benigno Aquino 3rd recently signed the instrument of
accession for the protocol.
The Philippines is the first country to accede this year and is
the 85th Contracting Party to the Madrid Protocol.
The Madrid Protocol is a filing system that facilitates the
registration of marks in several countries through a single
application filed with the Intellectual Property Office of the
Philippines (IPOPHL).
It simplifies the protection of marks outside the Philippines
and reduces the cost of registration. The major trading partners of
the PhilippinesJapan, United States of America, China, Singapore,
South Korea and Germanyare members of the Madrid Protocol.
The Philippine accession to the Madrid Protocol is essential in
making the country globally competitive. By membership in the
Madrid Protocol, the Philippines opens its doors to 84 countries,
(which is expected to increase overtime), of which their economies
constitute most of international trade.
Foreign businesses interested in establishing their businesses
in the Philippines will be encouraged by the ease in protecting
their marks in the country. More importantly, accession to the
Madrid Protocol will help Filipino entrepreneurs to protect their
brands as they expand into international markets since financial
and administrative costs are considerably reduced, IPOPHL said.
The Madrid Protocol also eases the cost of doing business for
foreign investors and facilitates exports for Filipino
entrepreneurs.
IPOPHL noted that accession by the Philippines to the Madrid
Protocol was endorsed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, Makati Business Club, Federation of Filipino-Chinese
Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., American Chamber of
Commerce of the Philippines/Joint Foreign Chambers of the
Philippines, the Philippine Retail Association and the Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce Philippines Inc.
The IPOPHL will begin accepting applications filed via the
Madrid Protocol on July 25, 2012.
For more information on Madrid Protocol, contact the IPOPHL
798-0114 or 238-6300 ext. 515 or [email protected] log
on to www.ipophil.gov.ph.
