Madrid Protocol, plainly explained

The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty that lets you extend a single trademark application to 130+ member countries with one form and one fee schedule. For a founder expanding beyond India, it is often the fastest and cheapest way to secure multi-country protection — but only when the numbers add up.

How it works

You file a base application in India. Then, through the Madrid system administered by WIPO in Geneva, you designate which other member countries you want protection in. Each designated country examines your mark according to their local law but the application itself stays centrally managed.

When Madrid is the right call

• You already have (or have filed) a trademark in India.
• You expect to operate in three or more member countries within five years.
• Budget predictability matters more than country-specific optimization.

When to skip Madrid

• You only need one or two extra countries — direct filing is often cheaper.
• Your top target country isn't a Madrid member (e.g. some African nations).
• Your Indian base application may fail — Madrid is tied to the base for five years.

What it costs

Roughly: a base fee paid to WIPO, plus a per-country fee. For three countries including the UK, US, and EU, expect something in the ₹1.5–2.5L range all-in depending on class count and examination outcomes.

A free consult will give you a hard number specific to your situation.