From November 15th to 16th, the commemorative activity for the 125th anniversary of the establishment of trademark brand and Madrid international trademark system was held in Qingdao.

    Jointly hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC), the activity intended to present the role played by the Madrid system in the process of supporting international trademark and economic development and promote Madrid system in China. Over 200 guests from 27 different countries and regions including China, Spain, Germany, America and Japan,, international organizations and non-governmental organizations such as the WIPO attended the activity.

    Qingdao, which is of the same age as the Madrid system founded in 1891, has many internationally renowned trademarks. The brand awareness and notion take root in people’s mind after industrial development for hundreds of years. The Qingdao Municipal Government and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have signed the minutes on strengthening the protection of international Madrid trademark registration and promoting local economic development and cooperation. This is the precedent for Chinese local government to conduct cooperation with the WIPO. The fact that the commemorative activity was held in Qingdao can fully reflect the accomplishments Qingdao has made in the international Madrid trademark registration.

    The number of Madrid trademark applied by Qingdao in 2014 and 2015 is respectively 719 and 811, ranking the 1st in China for the 2nd consecutive year. It is called the “Qingdao Phenomenon” of international registration of Madrid trademark by the WIPO.