WIPO Releases Madrid System Yearly Review 2026: Enterprises Should Make Effective Use of the International Trademark System in Overseas Brand Strategies

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released Madrid System Yearly Review 2026, compiling information on applications, designations, renewals, and the maintenance of international trademark registrations under the Madrid System in 2025. The review provides enterprises with an important reference for observing global brand protection trends and developing international trademark strategies.

The Madrid System is one of the common filing routes for enterprises seeking international trademark protection. Through a single international application procedure, enterprises may seek trademark protection in multiple member countries or regions and progressively expand the geographical scope of trademark protection in line with market development through subsequent designations.

International Trademark Applications and Subsequent Designations Continue to Receive Strong Attention from Enterprises

According to this WIPO yearly review, more than 64,000 international trademark applications were filed through the Madrid System in 2025, comprising more than 450,000 designations. In addition, a large number of international trademark registrations remain in force, demonstrating that cross-border brand protection continues to be an important component of global market strategies for enterprises.

The report also indicates that subsequent designation requests increased in 2025 compared with the previous year. This reflects that enterprises do not necessarily designate all markets at the time of the initial application, but may instead gradually expand the geographical scope of trademark protection in line with product launches, agency partnerships, cross-border sales, or the progress of market expansion.

Selection of Goods and Services Classes Affects the Completeness of Brand Protection

WIPO statistics indicate that most international trademark applications include between one and three classes of goods or services. Class 9 continued to account for an important proportion of international trademark applications in 2025. This class commonly covers computer hardware, software, electronic products, and related technology goods.

When filing an international trademark application, enterprises should not only confirm whether the brand name and representation are registrable, but also carefully plan the classes of goods and services. If the designated scope is too narrow, it may not cover actual business activities fully; if the designated scope is too broad, it may increase examination risks, the burden of proving use, or subsequent maintenance costs.

Enterprises Should Plan Overseas Brand Strategies in Advance

As cross-border e-commerce, overseas agency relationships, international exhibitions, technology licensing, and brand expansion become increasingly common, enterprises should confirm whether their brands have obtained appropriate trademark protection before entering overseas markets. If an application is not filed until after a product launch, the signing of an agency agreement, or market exposure, enterprises may face preemptive third-party registrations, obstacles posed by similar trademarks, restrictions on licensing negotiations, or increased rebranding costs.

For enterprises with overseas sales plans or the potential to expand into international markets, trademark strategies should not be limited to applications in Taiwan. Domestic and overseas trademark applications and subsequent maintenance plans should be developed based on target markets, sales channels, manufacturing bases, agent locations, and long-term brand strategies.

Recommendations for Intellectual Property Strategy

AIPT Group advises that enterprises should avoid approaching international trademark strategy solely from the perspective of a single market or product. Instead, they should develop an overall plan covering brand use, classification of goods and services, target countries, filing schedules, and rights maintenance systems.

• Conduct a Trademark Search Before Filing: Confirm whether identical or similar trademarks already exist in the target market to reduce the risk of refusal or subsequent infringement disputes.
• Confirm the Classification of Goods and Services: Plan an appropriate scope of designated goods and services based on the actual products, service content, and future business direction.
• Evaluate the Filing Route: Based on the target countries, complexity of the case, and cost considerations, assess whether to use the Madrid System or file directly in individual countries.
• Consider a Subsequent Designation Strategy: If the market for a brand expands gradually, protection may be extended to additional territories through subsequent designations. However, examination and use requirements in each country should still be considered.
• Establish a Trademark Maintenance System: After obtaining a trademark, enterprises must continue to manage renewals, preserve evidence of use, administer licenses, and monitor the market to prevent the validity of their rights from being affected.

International Trademark Protection Should Keep Pace with Brand Growth

Trademarks are important assets for corporate brand identity, the accumulation of goodwill, and market competition. As business operations become increasingly international, brand protection should extend from domestic registration to overseas markets, with filing and maintenance strategies continuously adjusted according to the pace of market expansion.

AIPT Group will continue to monitor developments in the WIPO Madrid System and trademark systems in different countries, assisting enterprises with trademark searches, classification planning, domestic and overseas trademark applications, international trademark strategies, trademark renewals, and rights maintenance to help clients establish a more comprehensive brand protection framework.

Source: WIPO｜Madrid System Yearly Review 2026