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Table of Contents
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
Module Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Module Overview .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Learning Outcomes .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Module Map ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6
How many different systems of international registration does WIPO oversee? ................................................................. 7
Check Your Learning 1 ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Check Your Learning 2 ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Part 1: The Madrid System ............................................................................................................................................ 10
Process of International Registration of Marks .................................................................................................................... 10
Eligibility Criteria .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Role of the Office of Origin, WIPO and a Designated Contracting Party .............................................................................. 12
Check Your Learning 3 ........................................................................................................................................................... 13
Duration of Protection for a Mark Under the Madrid System ............................................................................................. 14
Part 1: The Hague System .............................................................................................................................................. 15
An Overview of the Hague System ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Benefits of Acquiring Industrial Design Protection ............................................................................................................... 17
Worldwide Industrial Design Protection ............................................................................................................................... 18
Check Your Learning 4 ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
Part 1: The Lisbon System .............................................................................................................................................. 20
Obtaining Protection Internationally Under the Lisbon System? ......................................................................................... 20
Eligibility Criteria .................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Check Your Learning 5 ........................................................................................................................................................... 22
Role of the Competent Authority, WIPO and a Designated Contracting Party.................................................................... 23
Check Your Learning 6 ........................................................................................................................................................... 25
Protection of an Appellation of Origin Under the Lisbon System ........................................................................................ 26
Part 2: The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).................................................................................................................. 27

Overview of PCT..................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Purpose and Objectives of PCT.............................................................................................................................................. 28
Patent Application Procedure Using the PCT ........................................................................................................................ 29

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 Check Your Learning 7 ........................................................................................................................................................... 32
Check Your Learning 8 ........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Advantages of Applying Under the PCT ................................................................................................................................ 34
Module Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 37
Module Quiz.................................................................................................................................................................. 40
Question Set........................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Answer Key ................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Check Your Learning .............................................................................................................................................................. 43
Module Quiz........................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Module Resources ......................................................................................................................................................... 48
End of Module 9: International Registration .................................................................................................................. 48

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 Module Introduction
Module Overview

The first part of this module will focus on the role of WIPO in the administration of registration systems for marks, and
industrial designs and appellations of origin.

The second part of this module will deal with the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This is the leading treaty administered
by WIPO, in terms of generated revenue, which facilitates the application for patents in different countries.

This module starts with a description of the international registration systems.

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 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you should be able to meet the learning outcomes listed here.

• List the systems of international registration administered by WIPO.

• Explain in about 100 words who can use the Madrid System and what the requirement of the basic mark is.

• Draw a diagram explaining how an applicant can use the Madrid System to get protection for a mark in multiple
markets.

• Describe the roles of the Office of origin, WIPO and a designated Contracting Party in the international registration
process.

• State the protection period for a mark under the Madrid System.

• List the benefits of protecting an industrial design internationally.

• Explain the process of legal protection offered to industrial design by the Hague Agreement.

• Explain who can use the Lisbon System and what the requirements of the recognition and protection in the country
of origin are.

• Draw a diagram explaining how an applicant can use the Lisbon System to get protection for an appellation of origin
in multiple markets.

• State the protection for an appellation of origin under the Lisbon System.

• Explain in 100 words the purpose of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

• Describe in around 200 words the benefits of the PCT.

• Draw a diagram of the process involved in using the PCT.

• Explain in 200 words the role of WIPO in the PCT.

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 Module Map

This module is divided into two parts and four topics. You are required to complete the topics sequentially in order to best
meet the module learning outcomes.

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 How many different systems of international registration does WIPO oversee?

There are actually three systems.

1. There is what is known as the Madrid System, which is for the international registration of marks. It consists of two
treaties: the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid System was established by the Madrid
Agreement. However, now it is, de facto, a non-operational treaty, since it is no longer possible to become a
member of the Madrid Agreement alone, and no more registrations can occur under the Agreement only. The
Madrid System is therefore governed by the Madrid Protocol, which was concluded with a purpose to modernize
and streamline the international registration process.
2. Then there is the system of international registration of industrial designs, which is offered through the Hague
System.
3. The third is the system of international registration and protection of appellations of origin, under the Lisbon
Agreement.

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 Check Your Learning 1

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 Check Your Learning 2

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 Part 1: The Madrid System
Process of International Registration of Marks

How does the international system for the registration of marks work?

1. Somebody files an international application through their Office of origin to WIPO in Geneva.

2. In the application they designate the Contracting Parties in which they want the mark to be protected.

3. WIPO registers the mark in the International Register and then passes it on to the designated Contracting Parties.
They would normally examine it as though it were an application filed with them directly and apply their normal
domestic criteria accordingly.

4. The protection may then be granted or refused in each jurisdiction.

The Madrid System therefore; facilitates access to possible export markets, but whether or not the mark is protected in a
given territory is determined by the respective Contracting Party. What is important to know is that a refusal of protection
by one designated Contracting Party does not affect the protection of the mark in other designated territories.

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 Eligibility Criteria

Who is entitled to file an international application under the Madrid System?

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 Role of the Office of Origin, WIPO and a Designated Contracting Party

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 Check Your Learning 3

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 Duration of Protection for a Mark Under the Madrid System

How long is the protection period for a mark under the Madrid System?

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 Part 1: The Hague System
An Overview of the Hague System

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 Benefits of Acquiring Industrial Design Protection

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 Worldwide Industrial Design Protection

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 Check Your Learning 4

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 Part 1: The Lisbon System
Obtaining Protection Internationally Under the Lisbon System?

How can holders of an appellation of origin obtain protection internationally under the Lisbon System?

To answer that question, I should first explain how the Lisbon System for the protection and international registration of
appellations of origin works.

• The holder or holders of the right to use the appellation of origin files an international application through the
competent authority of their country of origin to WIPO in Geneva. The country of origin is the country whose name,
or the country in which is situated the region or locality whose name, constitutes the appellation of origin.

• Contrarily to the Madrid or Hague systems, applicants do not need to designate the Contracting Parties in which
they want their appellations of origin to be protected, as all Contracting Parties will automatically receive the
notification of the international registration, unless the applicant has renounced to request protection in one or
some Contracting Parties.

• WIPO registers the appellation of origin in the International Register and then passes it on to the other Contracting
Parties. They would normally examine it as though it were an application filed with them directly and apply their
normal domestic criteria accordingly.

• The protection may then be granted or refused in each jurisdiction.

Take note of the workflow presented visually.

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 Eligibility Criteria

Who is entitled to file an international application under the Lisbon System?

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 Check Your Learning 5

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 Role of the Competent Authority, WIPO and a Designated Contracting Party

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 Check Your Learning 6

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 Protection of an Appellation of Origin Under the Lisbon System

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 Part 2: The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Overview of PCT

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 Purpose and Objectives of PCT

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 Patent Application Procedure Using the PCT

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 Check Your Learning 7

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 Check Your Learning 8

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 Advantages of Applying Under the PCT

What advantages are there for the individual or company applying for a patent under the Patent Cooperation Treaty?

As stated in the introduction, the primary goal of the PCT is to simplify the procedures involved in getting patents in a
number of different countries. One further benefit to an applicant is the decision as to whether to proceed in any particular
country or delay that procedure compared with the traditional patent system.

Take a look at some other advantages listed here.

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 Module Summary

Part 1: The Madrid, Hague and Lisbon System

So far in this module, you have heard about three systems of international registration of marks, industrial designs and
appellations of origin. The role of WIPO in this process is to serve as the administrator that facilitates the registration process
and publishes information about different recordings with regard to international registrations at WIPO Gazette of
International Marks (Madrid System), the International Designs Bulletin (Hague System) and the Appellations of Origin
Bulletin (Lisbon System).

The Madrid System, created in 1891, is the one-stop solution for trademark owners to obtain and maintain protection in
multiple markets. The decision whether or not to grant protection to a particular mark in a particular territory depends on
the national or regional system concerned. When protection is granted, it can be extended indefinitely.

The Madrid System offers several advantages to trademark owners. Having entitlement with a Contracting Party of the
Madrid System and a basic mark in that Contracting Party, the trademark owner has only to file one international
application, in one language, and pay one set of fees in one currency. This is done instead of filing separate applications in
various countries or regions, in different languages, and paying separate fees in different currencies. Similar advantages
exist when the international registration has to be renewed or modified.

The Hague System established the system for the international registration of industrial designs. It works in a similar way
to the Madrid System in that you file an international application, which is entered in the International Register, published
by the International Bureau and notified to the Contracting Parties concerned, who then have the right to grant or refuse
protection.

A difference between registration of industrial designs under the Hague Agreement and registration of marks under the
Madrid Protocol is that you don’t need to start with registration in the country of origin. So for example a designer in France
can make an international deposit and through it secure protection in France as well as in Switzerland, Italy, the Benelux
countries and Spain, for instance.

Another difference between the protection of industrial designs under the Hague System and the protection of marks under
the Madrid System is that you don’t need a national/regional application or registration before filing an international
application. So for example, a designer in Switzerland can file an international application and through it seek protection in
Switzerland as well as in the European Union, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United States of America, for instance.

The way in which an international design application is processed is shown in the following figure:

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The Lisbon System established the system for the international registration and protection of appellations of origin. It works
in a similar way to the Madrid and Hague systems in that you file an international application, which is entered in the
International Register, published by WIPO and notified to the other Contracting Parties, who then have the right to grant
or refuse protection.

A difference between the protection of industrial designs under the Hague System and the protection of appellations of
origin under the Lisbon Agreement is that you need to start with recognition and protection in the country of origin of the
appellation of origin. So as for example, a French association of producers of an appellation of origin produced in France
can request the Competent Authority of France to file an international application and so secure protection in all the other
contracting parties.

Part 2: Patent Cooperation Treaty

The Patent Cooperation Treaty provides a simplified procedure for an inventor or applicant to apply for and eventually
obtain patents in a large number of countries. In addition it promotes and facilitates the exchange of technical information
contained in patent documents to industries and workers in the relevant field.

The advantage to an applicant in using the PCT is that by filing one application at one patent office, in one language, the
applicant will obtain an international filing date, and that filing date will have effect in each of the PCT contracting States.
In addition the PCT provides a period of time in which the applicant can decide whether to proceed, and if so, in which
countries.

The main role of WIPO in the PCT process is to facilitate the treaty by:

• receiving and storing all application documents;

• performing a formality examination;

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 • publishing the international application on PATENTSCOPE;

• publishing data about the PCT application as prescribed in the Treaty;

• translating various portions of the PCT application and certain associated documents into English and/or French;
and

• communicating documents to national and regional Offices.

The way in which a PCT application is processed is shown in the following figure:

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 Module Quiz
Question Set

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 Answer Key
Check Your Learning

ID No Check Your Learning Questions and Model Answers

Question: Match the following international registration systems with their core function.

Question: Which of the following two treaties of the Madrid System is the governing one?

Question: Imagine that you have registered a mark in a country which a member of the Madrid System. You do
not have any connection to that country, but you are domiciled in another country, which is also a member of
the System. You would like now to file an international application based on the above mentioned basic mark.
Would you be able to do it? If so, where would you file your international application – to the IP Office where
your basic mark is registered, or to the IP Office of the country of your domicile, or to WIPO directly?

Question: Can protection be obtained in all the countries in the world by means of the Hague System?
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 Question: Categorize the following statements into TRUE or FALSE. Select Submit to check your answers.

Question: Using no more than 5 bullet points describe the sequence of the procedure for getting protection for
an appellation of origin in other countries through the Lisbon system.

Question: Take a few minutes to think about the process you just reviewed. On a paper, draw a diagram
7
showing the process involved when an applicant uses the PCT.

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 Question: Which of the following acts are ALWAYS performed by the International Bureau in Geneva, which
8
MAY BE carried out by the International Bureau and which are NEVER carried out by the International Bureau?

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 Module Quiz

Question Question Correct Answer/s

Number

1 The main purpose of the Madrid System is to: 3. monitor the international
registration of trademarks.

2 A trademark can be protected internationally for: 3. an indefinite period, with a

required renewal typically every 10
years.

3 The System of international registration of industrial design is called: 2. The Hague Agreement

4 The main difference between a patent and an industrial design is: 1. A patent protects an innovation
and invention and an industrial
design protects the appearance of
an object.

5 The owner of an industrial design is protected for: 3. a fixed term of usually 10 years
or 15 to 20 years depending on the
country.

6 The main purpose of the Patent Cooperation Treaty is: 1. to simplify and to make more
effective the process of applying
for patent protection in numerous
countries.

7 The four steps in the Patent Cooperation Treaty process are: 3. the filing, the international
search, the international
publication the international
examination and the national
phase.

8 The Patent Cooperation Treaty does not grant patents. 1. True

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 Module Resources

Legislative Texts

Name Hyperlink

Madrid Agreement Concerning the International https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/madrid/

Registration of Marks

Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/madrid_pro

the International Registration of Marks tocol/

Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/hague/

of Industrial Designs

Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/lisbon/

Origin and their International Registration

Nice Agreement Concerning the International https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/classification/nice/

Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of
the Registration of Marks

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/pct/

End of Module 9: International Registration

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