Making an international trade mark application in Jersey

Overview

You can apply for international trade mark protection through the Madrid System.

You must start with a trade mark application or registration in Jersey. This is known as your office of origin.

The process

To apply for an international trade mark from Jersey, you will:

  • check you are eligible
  • prepare your Jersey application
  • decide where you want protection
  • submit your international application through us using myIPO

We will then send your application to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). WIPO checks the application and sends it to your chosen countries.

Check you are eligible

Before you apply, make sure you meet the requirements.

You must have any of the following:

  • have a Jersey trade mark application or registration
  • be a Jersey national
  • be domiciled in Jersey
  • have a real and effective business presence in Jersey

Prepare your Jersey application

Your international application must match your Jersey application exactly.

Check that:

  • the owner’s details are correct and consistent
  • the trade mark is identical
  • the goods and services match exactly
  • your Jersey application is filed correctly and is in good standing

Differences may delay your application or lead to refusal.

Decide where you want protection

You can apply for protection in one or more countries that are part of the Madrid System.

When choosing countries, consider:

  • where you already trade
  • markets you plan to enter
  • where your goods or services may be sold
  • where you want to prevent others from using a similar mark

Submit your international application

You must submit your application through us. You cannot apply directly to WIPO.

We will:

  • check that your application matches your Jersey filing
  • certify your application
  • send it to WIPO

WIPO examination

WIPO manages the international system of trade marks.

WIPO will check that your application:

  • is complete
  • uses the correct classification
  • includes the required fees

If your application meets the requirements:

  • it is recorded in the International Register
  • it is published in the WIPO Gazette
  • it is sent to the countries you seek protection of your basic mark to perform substantive examination based on its own domestic laws
  • each Office must grant or refuse protection within a given time limit – 12, or in some cases 18 months from the date on which we notified it of its designation

Each country will then examine your application under its own laws.

What happens next

Each country can:

  • accept your trade mark
  • refuse protection
  • request further information if it does not comply, WIPO will send you and your Office of origin an ‘irregularity notice’ explaining how to correct the issue within a given time limit (typically three months)

You will deal directly with each country if issues are raised.

Further information

For more detail about the process, see guidance on the Madrid System.