Is there a single international trademark?
No. Trademark rights are territorial — they exist country by country. To protect a brand abroad from India you either file one Madrid Protocol application designating member countries, or file directly with the trademark office of each country. Many businesses combine both.
Does my Indian trademark registration protect my brand in other countries?
No. An Indian registration gives rights only within India. To stop others using or registering your brand abroad, you need protection in each country where you do business or plan to.
Should I use the Madrid Protocol or file directly in each country?
Madrid is usually more economical and easier to manage when you need several member countries: one application, one language, one renewal. Direct filing is needed for countries outside Madrid (such as Hong Kong, Taiwan or South Africa) and may suit you if you prefer a right that does not depend on your Indian mark.
What is the six-month priority rule?
Under the Paris Convention, if you file in another member country within six months of your Indian trademark application, you can claim your Indian filing date as the priority date there. This protects you against anyone who files the same mark abroad in between.
Do I need an Indian trademark before filing abroad?
For the Madrid Protocol, yes — you need an Indian application or registration for the same mark. For direct national filings it is not strictly required, but filing in India first is recommended because it gives you a priority date for the six-month window.
Does an EU trademark also cover the United Kingdom?
No. Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is separate from the European Union. An EU trademark covers all 27 EU member states, but the UK must be designated or filed separately.
Is Hong Kong covered if I designate China?
No. Protection obtained in China through the Madrid System does not extend to Hong Kong or Macao. Each needs its own separate trademark filing.
How much does international trademark registration cost?
Official costs depend on the route, the countries and the number of classes. Through Madrid you pay a ₹5,000 IP India handling fee, a WIPO basic fee (CHF 653, or CHF 903 for a colour mark) and a fee for each country. Direct filings carry each country’s own fees and usually a local attorney’s charges. We work on economical, reasonable professional fees and share a transparent quote.