You have registered a trade mark in the Swiss trade mark register and would like to protect it abroad too. Through the international procedure, you can apply for protection in as many countries as you like in a single application.

Within the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), over 131 countries and regional organisations have agreed to a centralised procedure called the Madrid System, which simplifies the administrative process for registering trade marks. This means that as the owner of a Swiss trade mark, you can also benefit from this if you want to protect your trade mark in other countries, too.

With a single application and the advantage of only having to use one language, you can apply to register your trade mark in as many of the contracting states as you like. Your trade mark application will then be examined by the individual countries in question. If approved, you will have the same scope of protection as you would by registering your trade mark in each country individually.

You also have the option to register your trade mark directly with a trade mark office abroad.