The United States deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol with the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva on August 2, 2003. The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, was quoted as saying "The U.S. accession to this key treaty is an important and positive development for both U.S. trademark holders as well as nationals of other countries that are party to the Madrid Protocol and opens up new commercial opportunities for all concerned. The accession of the United States to this agreement will make the system of international trademark registration more inclusive and will offer businesses and individuals in both the United States and elsewhere a simple, affordable and efficient way of obtaining and maintaining their trademarks."

The Protocol will enter into force in respect of the U.S. on November 2, 2003. You can read more about the Madrid Protocol in a Bulletin which we published last October: Use of the Madrid Protocol for International Trademark Protection. A .pdf version of this earlier Bulletin is available on-line.