🇬🇩 Grenada joins the Madrid Protocol effective March 15, 2026! 📜⚡
September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

🇬🇩 Grenada joins the Madrid Protocol effective March 15, 2026! 📜⚡

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In Intellectual Property Rights

On December 15, 2025, the Government of Grenada deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol with WIPO, officially becoming the 116th member of the international trademark system. Effective March 15, 2026, international applicants can designate Grenada under the Madrid System, extending global coverage across 132 member countries.

Key Legal Declarations & Operational Caveats

Grenada’s accession includes specific declarations and structural exceptions that directly impact international filing strategy:

  • Extended 18-Month Examination Timeline: Grenada has opted for the extended 18-month time limit to issue provisional refusals (replacing the standard 12 months).
  • Post-18-Month Opposition Refusals: Refusals resulting from third-party oppositions may still be notified after the 18-month period expires, meaning clear status cannot be assumed strictly by the passage of time.
  • Individual Designation Fees: Grenada requires an individual fee (calculated in CHF) for initial designations, subsequent designations, and renewals.
  • Exclusion of International License Recordal: Recording trademark licenses in the WIPO International Register has no legal effect in Grenada. License agreements must be recorded directly with Grenada’s national office—the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO)—to be recognized locally.
  • No Division or Merger of Registrations: CAIPO will not process requests for division or merger of international registrations, as national law currently lacks a procedural mechanism for these actions.

Strategic Portfolio Recommendations

To optimize international portfolio management and ensure local enforceability, brand owners should implement the following steps:

  1. Schedule Post-March 15 Designations: Plan initial applications or subsequent designations requesting protection in Grenada on or after the March 15, 2026 effective date.
  2. Execute Dual-Track Licensing Strategy: Maintain direct filings with CAIPO for any active license agreements covering Grenadian territory to guarantee local legal standing.
  3. Establish Extended Opposition Tracking: Monitor regional registry movements continuously, given that third-party oppositions can challenge applications beyond the standard 18-month window.
  4. Budget via WIPO Fee Structure: Review exact individual designation fees via WIPO’s Fee Calculator to update international filing budgets.