For Korean brands going global, the first wall is trademark cost. A separate filing in every market, a local agent in each one, separate currencies and separate deadlines — even ten countries quickly turn into a management burden.
This is where the Madrid Protocol, administered by WIPO, comes in. A single international application can secure trademark protection in many member territories at once, with renewals, name changes, and other post-registration management handled in one place.
What the Madrid Protocol is
The Madrid System is an international framework that allows applicants to seek trademark protection in multiple member territories through a single international application. Korea joined in 2003, and according to WIPO, with Grenada's accession the Madrid System now covers 132 territories.
The application is filed in one of three languages — English, French, or Spanish — fees are paid in a single currency, the Swiss franc (CHF), and renewals and ownership changes are all handled centrally at the WIPO International Bureau.
How a Korean base application links to the international application
A Madrid international application sits on top of a base application or registration in the home country. A Korean applicant must already have a Korean trademark application or registration with KIPO, and then files an international application using KIPO as the Office of Origin, based on that filing.
At filing, the applicant designates the member territories where protection is sought. To expand later, a subsequent designation can add territories to the same international registration, making portfolio expansion flexible.
Key advantages of the Madrid System
| Item | Direct national filings | Madrid System |
|---|---|---|
| Number of filings | Separate filing in each country | One international application |
| Language | Each country's official language | One of English, French, or Spanish |
| Currency | Each country's currency | Swiss franc (CHF) only |
| Renewal | Country by country | Centralized at WIPO (10-year cycle) |
| Owner / address change | Country by country | Centralized at WIPO |
| Local agent | Required from filing | Only when a refusal or opposition issues |
The five-year dependency period (central attack)
A Madrid international registration depends on the home base application or registration for its first five years. If the Korean base is refused, invalidated, or cancelled during that period, the international registration is affected and may lapse or be reduced in every designated territory.
Central attack — for five years, the base equals the international registration
If the Korean base is refused, invalidated, or cancelled, the consequences flow simultaneously to every designated territory. Transformation can recover protection in some territories, but it takes additional time and cost. Stability of the base application is the starting point of any Madrid strategy.
Once five years pass, the international registration becomes independent of the base. From that point on, anything that happens to the home filing no longer affects the international registration.
Grenada's accession — 132 territories now covered
According to WIPO, Grenada deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on December 15, 2025, and the Protocol enters into force in Grenada on March 15, 2026. Grenada becomes the 116th member of the Madrid System, bringing total coverage to 132 territories.
From the date of entry into force, applicants can designate Grenada in new international applications, and existing international registration holders can add Grenada through a subsequent designation. For Korean companies considering the Caribbean market, that is a new option.
How Korean applicants use the Madrid System in practice
- Secure a Korean base application or registration: same mark and matching goods or services with KIPO
- Choose initial designations: select target markets reflecting current and planned expansion
- File the international application through KIPO: KIPO acts as Office of Origin and forwards it to WIPO
- WIPO formal examination and international registration: typically recorded within 1–3 months
- Substantive examination in each designated office: protection is confirmed if no refusal issues within 12–18 months
- Use subsequent designation when needed: add new territories to the same international registration as the business expands
Big cost savings, but refusals are still handled locally
The Madrid System dramatically lowers filing and renewal costs, but if an Office Action issues in a designated territory, a local agent must be engaged there to respond. The system is unified, but substantive examination remains a national prerogative.
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