Trademark Class Selection and Madrid International Registration Strategy

Trademark class selection directly affects brand protection scope, while Madrid international registration is an efficient channel for overseas trademark portfolio building.

1. Class Selection Strategy

The International Classification of Goods and Services for trademark registration comprises 45 classes (Classes 1–34 for goods, Classes 35–45 for services). Enterprises should register in classes related to core business and conduct defensive registration in associated classes. For example, a restaurant business needs Class 43 (food and beverage services), Class 29 (food products), Class 30 (condiments), Class 35 (advertising and sales), etc.

2. Defensive Registration

Defensive registration includes: cross-class registration (registering in non-related classes to prevent brand dilution), associated trademarks (registering similar marks to prevent free-riding), and all-class registration (registering all 45 classes, suitable for well-known brands). All-class registration is costly; enterprises may select scope based on brand recognition and budget.

3. Madrid International Registration

The Madrid System allows trademark registration in over 130 contracting parties through a single application, in one language, with one set of fees. Applicants need a basic application or registration in their home country and submit through the national trademark office to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). International registration is valid for 10 years and renewable.

4. Costs and Process

Madrid registration fees include: basic registration fee of CHF 653 (CHF 903 for color marks) + supplementary registration fee (CHF 100 per contracting party) + individual fees (charged by certain countries). Process: submit through home trademark office → WIPO formal examination → international publication → substantive examination by each contracting party (12 or 18 months). Enterprises are advised to select contracting parties based on export target markets.