MAURITIUS

Mauritius has acceded to the Madrid Protocol and Hague Act on 6 February 2023. Both the Madrid System and the Hague System will be effective in Mauritius from 6 May 2023.

Mauritius accedes to Madrid Protocol and Hague Act

On 6 February 2023, Mauritius deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol, as well as its instrument of accession to the 1999 Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, with WIPO.

Mauritius is now the 130^th member of the Madrid System and effective 6 May 2023, trade mark applicants in Mauritius will be able to file one application and designate any of the other 129 countries part of the Madrid System. Similarly, effective 6 May 2023, users of the Madrid System, including existing trade mark registrants, will be able to designate Mauritius.

Mauritius is also the 70^th contracting party of the 1999 Geneva Act and the 78^th member of the Hague Union. Also effective 6 May 2023, design protection in Mauritius can be secured through the Hague System.

Domestic legislation recognizing and giving force and effect to applications in terms of the Madrid Protocol and Hague System is already in place following the Industrial Property Act, 2019 and the Industrial Property Regulations 2022 coming into force in Mauritius on 31 January 2022.