Accession of Algeria and Gambia to the WIPO Madrid Protocol
On July 31, 2015, the Government of Algeria deposited with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) its instrument of accession to the Protocol
Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (“the Protocol” and “the Agreement”). The Protocol will enter into force, with respect to Algeria on October 31, 2015.
The instrument of accession was accompanied by the declaration referred to in Article 5(2)(b) and (c) of the Protocol, whereby Algeria availed itself of the flexibility to replace the time limit of one year to notify provisional refusal of protection by 18 months, and to provide notification of a provisional refusal resulting from an opposition after the expiry of the 18-month time limit.
Algeria was the last remaining member of the Madrid Union to be a Contracting Party of the Agreement only; all members of the Madrid Union will be either Contracting Parties to the Protocol only or to both the Agreement and the Protocol.
Following Algeria’s accession, the Madrid System has thus become for practical purposes a single Treaty System, whereby only one treaty – the Protocol – will govern all transactions effected by or in respect of Contracting Parties and users. The Protocol will apply in all cases because it will be the only common treaty between Contracting Parties or pursuant to MADRID
The Madrid System is already recognized by individual entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes, representing a broad cross-section of industries, as a convenient and cost -effective way of obtaining trademark protection in all corners of the globe.
Following Algeria’s accession to the Protocol, not only will holders from Contracting Parties bound by the Protocol be ab le to designate, or subsequently designate, Algeria in their international applications, the prevalence of the Protocol will also bolster the Madrid System’s benefits by providing for the general application of features and flexibilities of the Protocol.
Gambia became the 96th member of the Madrid System on September 18, 2015, following deposit with the Director General of WIPO of its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks. The Madrid Protocol will enter into force with respect to The Gambia, on December 18, 2015