Are trademarks internationally protected?
Yes, trademarks are internationally protected. In Mississippi, trademarks are governed by both state and federal law. Under federal law, trademarks are protected by the Lanham Act, which establishes a procedure for registration, as well as the right to sue to protect your trademark from infringement. Under this law, the federal government grants the exclusive use of specific trademarks to their owners. At an international level, the Madrid Protocol is an agreement between different nations to provide international protection for trademarks. This agreement allows trademark owners the ability to register their marks in multiple countries, and protects them against infringement throughout the participating countries. This agreement makes registering a trademark in multiple countries much easier and more efficient than having to register separately in each country. In Mississippi, the official registering body for trademarks is the United States Patent and Trademark Office. By registering with the USPTO, you will receive federal protection for your trademark in all 50 states. If you would like to pursue international protection for your marks as well, you can apply for the Madrid Protocol. Overall, trademarks are internationally protected. Federal law and the Madrid Protocol both provide a mechanism for the protection of trademarks in multiple countries. It is important that trademark owners register their marks in Mississippi with the USPTO and consider pursuing international protection through the Protocol.
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