Belize, a small country in the northeastern corner of Central America that is a member of the Commonwealth, has English as its official language.
Belize has just announced that it will join the Madrid System effective February 24, 2023. This small Central American country will become the 129th member of the System, which already includes other countries in the Americas such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, and the former Dutch Antilles.
A Caribbean country with an economy that relies primarily on agriculture (mainly sugar and bananas) and on a growing tourism industry thanks to its idyllic setting, although it is not entirely free from conflict precisely because of its strategic location. It has significant mineral and oil production.
A palapa at sunset at the end of a pier in Placencia, Belize
In any case, this is an important jurisdiction for our Spanish clients, who often include it in their trademark protection plans.
There are some unknowns surrounding its incorporation into the Madrid System. The first issue to consider is language. The second is the harmonization of local requirements regarding the declaration of use or non-use mandated by national law. It is likely that it will still be necessary to comply with local formalities even when opting for a form of international protection. In any case, let’s wait for the entry into force to be officially confirmed, and as always, we’ll see how things unfold as we gain practical experience.
Cristina Arroyo, Director of International Brands at ELZABURU