Three routes
| Route | Character | Fits when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | One application, multiple designations; fees per country | Scattered target markets, central administration | Requires a Chinese basic mark; central attack; slow examination in some members |
| EU trademark | One application covering all member states | Europe is the main market | One successful opposition can block the whole application; non-use revocation |
| Direct national | Local agent in each country | Key markets needing precise handling, or non-Madrid members | Higher cost and administration, but direct examination and remedies |
Madrid specifics
- Basic mark: a Chinese application or registration is required, and the international filing cannot exceed its goods and classes
- Central attack: for five years, if the Chinese basic mark is cancelled or invalidated, the international registration falls with it
- National examination: each designated office examines under its own law and may issue a provisional refusal, which needs a local agent within the deadline
- Fees: basic fee plus designation and supplementary fees, calculated per country and class; Switzerland and Japan are comparatively expensive
- Management: renewal, change and assignment can be handled centrally, though members' requirements still differ
EU practicalities
The advantage of an EU trademark is one filing across 27 member states. The disadvantage is all-or-nothing: a successful opposition in any single member state can block the entire application.
- Search across the EU before filing, with attention to earlier German, French and Spanish marks
- EUIPO does not refuse on relative grounds on its own motion, but does examine absolute grounds
- The opposition period is three months, and opponents may come from any member state
- Five years of non-use exposes the mark to revocation; keep use evidence from across the EU
WIPO and national fees are revised periodically. Amounts should be checked against the schedules published by WIPO and the relevant offices at the time of filing.
Frequently asked questions
Can we file Madrid without a Chinese trademark?
No. A Chinese basic application or registration is a precondition. Filing the Chinese application first is possible, but the basic mark's stability directly affects the international registration.
Is a Madrid registration valid in all designated countries?
No. It is a single filing, not a single examination. Each designated office examines under local law and may refuse. Protection arises only where no refusal is issued, or where a refusal is overcome.
What happens if the EU application is opposed?
You respond within the opposition period with arguments and evidence, or negotiate coexistence or restrict the goods. If the opposition fails, the application proceeds; decisions can be appealed to the EUIPO Boards of Appeal.
Can we use both Madrid and the EU route?
Yes. Some applicants designate the EU through Madrid for central administration, and file directly in key countries where they want a more direct examination and enforcement path.
How much does an international registration cost?
It comprises the basic fee, designation fees and supplementary fees, varying with the number of countries and classes. We provide a line-by-line schedule for your target markets rather than a bundled estimate.
Tell us the situation first, then we talk options
Send us your entity type, location and what you need done. We will set out the documents required, which steps need you in person, and a realistic timeline.
Where we workFoshan · Guangdong · China
We serve all five districts of Foshan, and act for clients elsewhere in Guangdong and overseas on the same process.
This page reflects publicly available information as of October 2026. The competent authority's latest requirements prevail.
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