The Philippines became the 85th member of the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol) with the deposit of the instrument of accession with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 25 April 2012.  President Aquino signed the instrument of accession on 27 March 2012.

The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty administered by the International Bureau of WIPO located in Geneva, Switzerland and is a filing system that facilitates the registration of marks in over 80 countries through a single application filed through the office of origin of the basic application or registration. In the Philippines, the international registration application is filed at the International Bureau of the WIPO through the IPOPHL. Applicants may file an international registration application with the IPOPHL if they are nationals of the Philippines, or are domiciled, or have a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment, in the Philippines.

While an international registration is issued under the Protocol, it remains the right of each country designated for protection to determine whether or not extension of protection in that country may be granted. Examination by national trademark offices will continue to be subject to local laws. Once registered, international trademarks are valid for ten years from receipt of the international registration application by the IPOPHL, and may be renewed for ten year terms upon payment of the required fees.

The Protocol will enter into force on July 25, 2012, and the IPOPHL will begin accepting applications filed via the Madrid Protocol on said date.