The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) announced on February 6, 2023, that Mauritius had become the 114th member to join the Madrid System, which is an international centralized trademark system aimed at facilitating trademark application and protection. Brand owners from Mauritius can now seek trademark protection in any of the other 129 countries covered by the Madrid System by filing a single international application and paying a single set of fees.
New users worldwide can now designate Mauritius when seeking international protection for their trademarks, while existing Madrid System members can broaden the geographical scope of their registrations to include Mauritius.
With the prominent role that Intellectual Property (IP) plays in the development of Mauritius’ knowledge-based economy, this newly adopted policy will aim to further position the country as a hub that promotes and actively protects research and innovation vis-à-vis international parties.
The Madrid Protocol will enter into force in Mauritius on May 6, 2023.