What is the Madrid Protocol?

The Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks or the “Madrid Protocol” is an international treaty which allows trademark owners to file one application for registration (international registration) of their trademark in countries who have joined the Madrid Protocol.

Zimbabwe acceded to the Madrid Protocol on 11 December 2014. The Trademark (Madrid Protocol) Regulations, 2017 (the Madrid Protocol Regulations) which enable trademark owners to file an international registration through ZIPO were published in the Government Gazette on 13 March 2017.

Who can submit an international application through the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO)?

In terms of the Madrid Protocol Regulations, the persons who are eligible to file an international application through ZIPO are a Zimbabwean citizen, a person domiciled in Zimbabwe or a person who has a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in Zimbabwe.

What is the effect of an international registration?

An international registration designating Zimbabwe has the same effect as if an application for registration of a trademark has been filed directly with the Registrar in terms of Zimbabwe’s Trademarks Act [Chapter 26:04].

For requirements of an international registration, procedure and costs contact our head of IP Alec T. Muza