If you own a U.S. trademark and want protection abroad, there’s a new way to start.
Since October 1, 2026, WIPO’s Madrid e-Filing platform has been the default route for new international trademark applications based on a U.S. application or registration. It replaces the USPTO’s old TEASi system.
So what does this mean for you? It changes where you begin your international filing and how you submit and manage it. The steps feel familiar but the starting point is different.
In this newsletter, we’ll look at what’s new, what to watch out for and how to get ready before your next filing.
A New Starting Point for International Filings
For U.S. applicants, the practical change is that the international filing process now begins through WIPO’s platform rather than the former USPTO filing system.
The underlying Madrid framework remains the same, including the centralized approach to filing and managing international trademark registrations.
The new platform started with a soft launch on July 31, 2026. By WIPO’s October 1 announcement, U.S. applicants had already filed 436 applications through it.
About the Madrid System
Through the Madrid System, you can seek trademark protection in many countries with a single international application. Instead of filing separately in each place, eligible owners file once with WIPO and manage the resulting international registration from one central system. It offers a centralized system for filing and managing requests for protection of trademarks internationally.
But one application does not automatically protect you everywhere. Every country you choose still decides on your request using its own rules. One office may approve it, while another may raise concerns or refuse it. So Madrid e-Filing makes the process easier to start but it does not create worldwide trademark rights with a single approval.
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How Does Madrid e-Filing Work for Applicants in the U.S.?
Filing through Madrid e-Filing is simple once you know the basics. Here’s what U.S.-based applicants need to know to get started.
U.S. Trademark Is the Starting Point
You can’t start an international application from scratch. It must be built on a U.S. trademark application or registration, which is often called the “basic” filing.
The good news is that Madrid e-Filing can import key details from that U.S. filing. This means you don’t have to type the same information twice and it can help you avoid simple mistakes.
Applicants Need a WIPO Account
Before you can file, you’ll need a WIPO account. This is your login for Madrid e-Filing. Once you’re signed in, you can prepare and submit your international application through WIPO’s eMadrid platform.
If you don’t have an account yet, set one up first, so you’re not stuck at the start. It only takes a few minutes, and it saves you a headache later.
A Quick Walkthrough of the Process
The process is fairly simple. First, log in to eMadrid with your WIPO account and choose the option to prepare an application. Next, select the United States as your Office of Origin and start a new Madrid e-Filing application.
Then import your U.S. basic application or registration. Last, complete the required details and submit. Each step builds on the last, so you can move through them one at a time.
Key Features of Madrid e-Filing
Madrid e-Filing is built to make the process easier for applicants. Here are the main things it lets you do.
- You can file your international trademark application online.
- You can communicate directly with your Office of Origin on the platform.
- If WIPO sends an irregularity notice, you can receive it and respond there.
- Key details from your U.S. application or registration can be imported for you.
- This saves time and lowers the risk of filing errors.
A New Way to Pay WIPO Fees
Fees work differently now, too. Starting October 1, 2026, U.S. applicants must pay the applicable WIPO fees directly to WIPO. Payment has to be made in Swiss francs.
This matters when you prepare your Madrid e-Filing application. Payment is part of the process, so it helps to know how it works before you start. That way, you won’t be surprised at the final step.
WIPO also offers payment options, including the WIPO Wallet. Fee amounts depend on your application, so check WIPO’s fee information for the details. A little planning now keeps filing day smooth.
The Impact on U.S. Trademark Applicants
For applicants familiar with TEASi, the main practical adjustment will be becoming familiar with the new workflow and where each stage of the application is handled.
Applicants should still review the information carried into the international application before submitting it.
The platform change also does not alter the role of the designated trademark offices in examining international applications.
Why This Matters for Global Brand Protection?
Going global takes more than filing a form. Before you apply, think about where your business plans to operate and where a trademark really matters. The Madrid System gives you one central way to file and manage your international application, but you still need a plan for each market you choose.
The move from TEASi to Madrid e-Filing also changes the day-to-day workflow. U.S. businesses, trademark owners and attorneys who manage international portfolios will need to learn the new steps. Knowing them early can make your next filing much smoother.
A Few Things Worth Remembering
Before you file, a few simple checks can save you trouble. First, use the current Madrid e-Filing process for new U.S.-based Madrid applications. The old TEASi workflow is no longer the way to go.
Next, look over your U.S. application or registration. Madrid e-Filing pulls details from it, so any mistakes there can carry into your international application. Be sure all the details are right before you start.
Finally, applicants should consider the specific markets they intend to designate and understand the requirements that may apply in each one.
The USPTO’s move to Madrid e-Filing is a big change for U.S. applicants who want trademark protection abroad. Since October 1, 2026, it has been the default platform for new international applications based on a U.S. application or registration. It replaces TEASi.
For applicants, the priority is to understand the updated workflow, review the application details carefully and prepare for the payment and submission stages before filing. Most of all, remember that a new platform doesn’t change who makes the final call. Each country or region still decides on protection under its own laws.
Understanding the updated filing route will help applicants approach the process with fewer procedural surprises.