The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the modifications suggested in the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill, 2007. According to a news report this approval came on the basis of recommendations contained in the report of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce. The Cabinet had approved in February, 2007, introduction of the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill. Accordingly, the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, 2007. The committee presented its report to both Houses of Parliament in March 2008. It endorsed the proposal and objectives of the Bill in general and agreed with most of the provisions of the Bill.

The modification in the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill would help India in joining Madrid Protocol on Trade Marks. According to the Bill, the trade mark applications will have to be published within 18 months of its filing. The amended Bill is understood to provide better protection to Indian trade marks in designated member countries and afford reciprocal protection to trade marks from member countries abroad.

The news report elaborates that India is at an advanced stage of joining the Madrid Protocol. Madrid Protocol is a simple, facilitative and cost-effective system for registration of international trademarks. India’s membership of the Madrid Protocol will help Indian companies to register their trade marks in the member countries of the Protocol through a single application.