NCE urges to expedite Lanka’s accession to Madrid Protocol
National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) actively encourages its members to export under their own brands. However, the cost of registering trademarks in multiple countries can be prohibitively expensive.
For instance, registering in 10 countries means incurring tenfold the cost and the Madrid Protocol offers a solution to this issue. Officially known as the Madrid Protocol, is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Joining this system would offer significant benefits to Sri Lankan exporters.
“One of the primary advantages of the Madrid System is the substantial reduction in costs associated with trademark registration. Instead of registering trademarks separately in each country, businesses can file a single application with a single fee and select multiple countries for trademark protection. This consolidation greatly reduces administrative and legal expenses.”
Additionally, the Madrid System simplifies the trademark registration process. With a single application written in one language and submitted to one office, businesses can protect their trademarks in up to 128 member countries. This streamlined process saves time and effort for Sri Lankan exporters while providing centralized management of trademarks.
Jayantha Karunaratne, President of the NCE and a leading tea exporter, stated, “It is crucial for Sri Lankan brands to gain recognition in international markets. Registering our own brands provides numerous benefits to Sri Lankan exporters and the country as a whole.”
Having Sri Lankan brands recognized globally not only enhances the visibility and reputation of individual businesses but also elevates the overall image of Sri Lankan products on the world stage. “This recognition can lead to increased demand, better market access, and higher revenue for exporters, thereby significantly contributing to the national economy.”
Secretary General/CEO of the NCE, Shiham Marikar, emphasized the financial burden associated with the current trademark registration process and highlighted the importance of the Madrid Protocol in increasing the global reach of Sri Lankan brands.
“Given Sri Lanka’s focus on an export-oriented economy, facilitative measures like joining the Madrid Protocol are crucial for improving international trade Therefore, the NCE strongly urges the President to oversee and expedite the process of Sri Lanka’s accession to the Madrid Protocol, ensuring that Sri Lankan trademarks are registered globally and thereby enhancing the country’s competitiveness in international markets.”
Despite the clear benefits, Sri Lanka is not yet a member of the Madrid Protocol. The decision to accede to the Madrid Protocol has been debated for the past 3 to 4 years. While the country agreed to accede to the Madrid Protocol in 2017, the process was delayed to 2018, then to 2020. As of February 2020, the Government had given its approval to accede to the Madrid Protocol, but the process remains incomplete.
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