Grenada to enforce Madrid Protocol as of March 2026

Grenada has officially become the 116th member of the Madrid System for international trademark registration, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s intellectual property landscape. The Madrid Protocol will take effect in Grenada on March 15, 2026, following the government’s deposition of its accession instrument approximately three months prior.

This accession positions Grenada as the tenth Latin American and Caribbean nation to join this global framework, which the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) describes as “a practical and efficient solution for protecting trademarks worldwide.” The move significantly strengthens the international trademark ecosystem while providing Grenadian businesses with streamlined access to global markets.

From the implementation date onward, Grenadian enterprises and entrepreneurs who have registered trademarks through the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO) will gain the ability to seek trademark protection across all 131 Madrid System member jurisdictions through a single application process. This streamlined approach requires submitting documentation in English and paying fees exclusively in Swiss francs, eliminating the need for multiple applications in different jurisdictions.

Concurrently, trademark holders from other member countries will be able to designate Grenada in their international applications, while existing international registration holders can extend their protection to include the Caribbean nation. This reciprocal arrangement promises to enhance Grenada’s attractiveness for international business and investment.

In preparation for this significant transition, WIPO dispatched two high-level experts to Grenada in February 2025 to conduct stakeholder consultations. These sessions aimed to educate businesses and legal professionals about the implications and procedures of the Madrid Protocol ahead of its implementation.

During the 2026 budget debate, Senator Claudette Joseph confirmed that Grenada formally became a signatory to the Madrid Protocol on December 10, 2025, with an initial target implementation date of April 1, 2026. The actual implementation date of March 15, 2026, represents a slight adjustment from this original timeline.