There are three types of international trademark applications, Community Trade Mark, Madrid System, and direct filing in individual countries.
A Community Trade Mark (CTM) application is a single application that covers the European Union (EU). The EU has 27 member states which includes Austria, Benelux, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. The CTM gives the proprietor uniform trademark rights in all of the member states or those selected member countries based on the needs of your company. A CTM application is filed with the Office of Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM).
The Madrid System was established by the Madrid Agreement in 1891 and the Madrid Protocol of 1989. The Madrid System allows you to file a single application, in one language, using one currency, to seek protection in more than 80 member countries or designating certain member countries based on the needs of your company. The member states and organizations belonging to the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol are listed at the following link: http://madridprotocol.info/memberstates.html A Madrid System application is filed with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
You can also file trademark applications directly in certain countries. This is an option to consider when it proves more cost effective than a CTM or Madrid application or you wish to register your trademark in a country that is not a member of the EU or the Madrid System, such as Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Israel, India, or United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The cost for these international trademark applications vary, depending on the type of coverage you are seeking. To obtain more information on the different types of international trademark registrations, we recommend speaking to your Trademark Attorney. If you do not have a Trademark Attorney, we are located just outside of Downtown Los Angeles in the City of Pasadena, California.