The Madrid System

Mauritius has joined the Madrid System – the Indian Ocean state deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on 6 February 2023, although this will only formally enter into force on 6 May 2023. By doing so Mauritius has become the 114th member of the Madrid System for the international registration of trade marks.

The practical effect of this is that Mauritian businesses will be able to protect their trade marks in much of the world through international registrations, and companies in Madrid Protocol countries will be able to include Mauritius in international registrations.

 

The Hague System

Mauritius has also joined the Hague System – it deposited its instrument of accession to the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement on 6 February 2023, although this will only formally enter into force on 6 May 2023. Mauritius is the 70th contracting party to the 1999 Act and the 78th member of the Hague Union.

The practical effect of this is that as of 6 May 2023, it will be possible for business owners in Mauritius to be able to use the Hague System to protect their designs in more than 90 countries simultaneously, and it will also allow applicants of international designs to protect their rights in Mauritius through a single international design application.