The central Atlantic Island country of Cape Verde has officially acceded to the Madrid Protocol for the international registration of trade marks. The Protocol entered in force on 6 July 2022.

It is now possible for trade mark owners to designate Cape Verde when applying for the protection of their trade marks through WIPO’s international registration (Madrid) system.

Until such time as Cape Verde has updated its trade mark law (Ordinance No. 22/2007) to give full legal recognition to the validity and enforceability of international registrations (IRs), and the Registry has improved its examination and publication timelines to the extent that they can consistently examine applications within WIPO’s timelines (12 – 18 months for IRs), it remains recommended for brand owners to secure national registrations in Cape Verde to avoid potential enforcement challenges from arising.

Source: WIPO