Are trademarks protected internationally and how?

Trademark law exists in order to protect the ownership and exclusive use of an identifier, such as a symbol, name, or phrase, that is used to distinguish the source of goods and/or services. Trademark law not only exists within the United States, but also extends internationally. Trademark protection is extended outside the United States primarily through international treaties. The most widely used treaty is the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. Signatories of this treaty must afford citizens of other signatory countries the same rights and privileges that it grants to its own citizens with regards to trademarks. In addition, the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, commonly referred to as TRIPS, requires member countries to offer national treatment, meaning that foreign and domestic trademark owners must receive equal rights to registration and enforcement. In Washington State, trademarks can also be protected by registering them with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This will provide protection in the U.S., as well as any other countries that have signed treaties with the U.S. protecting trademarks. Overall, trademark law is an important tool for protecting the exclusive use of identifiers in the US and around the world. With the help of international treaties and organizations, trademarks are better protected than ever before.

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Are trademarks protected internationally and how?

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