International Protection

Obtaining Protection for Your Mark Outside the United States

Trademarks issued by the PTO have no effect outside the United States and its territories. Companies desiring protection for their marks in other countries must register their marks in those countries. In most instances, owners of U.S. registrations rely on the protections of the Paris Convention of 1883, adhered to by more than 130 countries, including those in Europe and most of South America, Canada, Mexico, and many African and Asian nations. The Paris Convention is based on the principle that countries will provide the same patent and trademark protection to citizens of other member nations as they do their own citizens.

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