Português

>[14.Jan.09] Trademarks – Portuguese as an Official Language for Madrid Protocol
Source: INPI/BR [Adapted]

Brazil may have soon another reason to adhere to the Madrid Protocol. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is discussing the inclusion of Portuguese as a filing language of the protocol, which makes the registration of trademarks abroad easier and less costly. According to recent calculations, this system can reduce costs in up to 80%.

The inclusion of Portuguese would reduce costs even more, for the translation into English or Spanish would no longer be required. A study is being conducted at WIPO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and a meeting on the subject, with the participation of INPI/BR representatives, should be held this year in June.

The adhesion to the Madrid Protocol is being discussed in the Federal Government and in the National Congress. In 2006, the Foreign Trade Chamber (Camex), of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, recommended the adhesion of Brazil. Since then, INPI/BR has been getting ready to start working with such system.