Madrid Trademark Communications Available Via E-Mail

On August 28, 2007, WIPO announced that its International Bureau intends to replace ordinary mail by electronic mail for the transmission of certain communications regarding international registrations under the procedures of the Madrid system. Communications covered by this new, optional email service initially include:

• copies of notifications of provisional refusals recorded under Rule 17(4) of the Common Regulations;


• copies of irregular notifications of provisional refusals referred to in Rule 18 of the Common Regulations;


• copies of rectified notifications of provisional refusals referred to in Rule 18(1)(d) and (e) of the Common Regulations;


• copies of statements of grant of protection recorded under Rule 17(6)(b) of the Common Regulations;


• copies of statements of confirmation or withdrawal of provisional refusals received by the International Bureau under Rule 17(5)(a) and (b) of the Common Regulations.

Communications other than those listed in the terms and conditions, which are to be notified by the International Bureau under the Common Regulations to the holder or his representative, will, for the time being, continue to be transmitted by ordinary mail. In case of non-delivery, the communications will be resent using ordinary mail.

Users may take advantage of this new service by sending an e-mail message to the following address: e-marks@wipo.int while indicating, with reference to the present information notice, the e-mail address which they would like the International Bureau to use for this purpose, as well as the list of all international registrations concerned. The International Bureau will start sending the communications in question by e-mail within one month following receipt of the e-mail address, as indicated above. All international registrations for which the relevant user is recorded in the International Register as the holder or its representative, will then be sent exclusively to the e-mail address indicated by the user.