Readers may be interested to know that WIPO has today launched the Madrid Application Assistant. The Assistant is an electronic version of the MM2 form which automatically records all the information required to complete an international application.

WIPO states:

The Madrid Application Assistant is the latest improvement to the service level of the Madrid Registry as part of WIPO’s drive to enhance the creation and management of trademark rights under the Madrid System.

The Madrid Application Assistant helps users to generate high-quality application files. Through the data import from the Office of origin’s national/regional trademarks database, the application is automatically pre-populated with the relevant information for a Madrid international application - from contact details to a full list of goods and services. Built-in features also include the automatic verification of the classification of the list of goods and services, as well as its translation. This reduces user effort while also lessening the risk of irregularities, thus making the process of filing an international application more efficient and accurate.

Functionalities of the Madrid Application Assistant include:

• convenient data import for basic marks
• real-time calculation of fees
• easy use of classification tools (Madrid Goods & Services Manager)

Benefits include:

• Simple Process: Retrieve essential information concerning your basic mark directly from the database of your Office of origin
• Faster Completion: Fill in your application following a step-by-step process and ensure accuracy of the captured data
• Validated data: Get your list of goods and services checked for classification and translated automatically

Francis Gurry, Director General, WIPO, said: “Availability of all services online will make the Madrid System more user-friendly, bringing long term benefits to the users as well as the Offices.

The Assistant integrates online filing options in all member Offices and is expected to contribute to reducing the workload of examination for the Office of origin by minimizing irregularities.

As the Assistant is derived from Madrid e-Filing, it could easily be upgraded to support all examination work by Offices of origin from start to finish, including online verification and real-time communication of files to WIPO.

WIPO advises all users of the Madrid System to use the Madrid Application Assistant and online filing services offered by IP Offices. It says it is committed to providing more online services under the Madrid System for the benefit of the users as well as member IP Offices.

For more information, read WIPO’s announcement or Information Notice No 53/2020.