The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee reported favorably on the resolution for advice and consent of the Madrid Protocol in November 2001, and the report is currently awaiting a floor vote in the Senate. Implementing legislation has passed in the House of Representatives. Upon enactment of the implementing legislation, President Bush will have one year to deposit formally the instrument of ratification with WIPO.

Once the Protocol is in effect, a U.S. trademark applicant will be able to file a single application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and have that application serve as a basis for an International registration which may be extended for the same goods/services to other member states designated by the applicant. As of January 2002, 55 countries have ratified the Protocol. The Protocol will also be useful to foreign companies and individuals who wish to register their marks in the United States.