SpicyIP Tidbit: Special Services announced by WIPO for users of Madrid System

India's accession to the Madrid system and the consequent amendments to the Trademarks Act and Rules had been covered previously on the blog, available here and here. On July 30, 2013, the WIPO has announced new special services for the users of the Madrid System. The services which will come into effect from August 1, 2013, includes the issuance of a certified copy of a certificate of an international registration and of a certificate of its renewal which can be obtained on payment of  a fee of 50 Swiss francs per certified copy, expedited establishment of a certified extract from the International Register and legalization of a certified extract from the International Register. 

The second service essentially means that the WIPO has to provide the simple or detailed certified extract within five working days, once a request for expedited establishment is received for a fee of 100 Swiss francs per extract. The third service provides for legalisation of the certified extract, which is an essential condition for their production in any non-Contracting parties to the Madrid System. Under the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks and the Protocol relating to that Agreement, production of certified extracts in Contracting Parties to the Madrid System is exempt from legalization. This legalization can be obtained by payment of a fee of 75 Swiss francs per extract. 

These special services can be requested by the users of the Madrid System by sending a detailed communication containing he new special service requested and the international registration number to which the request relates to the address madrid.records@wipo.int.