On 4 July 2022, Chile will become the 111th member state to join the Madrid trade mark system following a unanimous vote by Chile’s Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. Chile will be the sixth Latin American member of the system.

The Madrid trade mark system is an international treaty that allows for international trade mark applications to be filed. An applicant using the system can file one application with the national IP office of a member state to seek trade mark protection in one or more of a number of territories around the world, the territories of interest being designated when the application is filed, or later as subsequent designations. The Madrid system is a cost-effective way of obtaining trade mark protection in multiple territories.

Trade mark owners can now designate Chile as one of the territories covered by an international application. Additionally, it is possible for proprietors of existing international trade mark registrations to seek to extend the coverage of their registrations to include Chile by way of a subsequent designation.

Wilson Gunn has extensive experience in trade mark matters, including filing and managing international trade mark applications.

If filing a new international application or expanding the coverage of an existing application or registration to include Chile is of interest (or indeed any other country that is party to the system), please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual contact at Wilson Gunn. Alternatively, feel free to contact one of our trade mark attorneys.