Chapter 9: 116 Members, 132 Nations – Structure and Expansion Logic of the System

The Madrid System's most cited statistic is "116 members covering 132 countries." Why do these numbers differ? What gaps remain in the map? Who might join next? All of this impacts your designation strategy.

Membership and Nation Counts: The "Multiplicative Effect" of Two Intergovernmental Organizations

The difference between 116 and 132 stems from two unique members of the system: intergovernmental organizations. The European Union (EU) joined on 2004-10-1, designating 27 member states at once; the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) joined on 2015-3-5, designating 17 member states at once. Though they occupy a single seat as one entity, their reach is multiplied—designating these two entries effectively bundles procedures for over forty countries into one form.

Latest territorial changes

The system continues to grow. On 2026 3, 15, Grenada joined as the 116th member. More notably, in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession on 2026 7, 8, effective July 10, becoming the 117th member and covering 133 countries. Saudi Arabia is the fifth GCC member under the Madrid Agreement; previously, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar had joined, while Kuwait remains the only non-member GCC state.

According to WIPO's official stance, the list of candidates also includes South Africa (currently amending domestic legislation), Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malta, Fiji, and others. China is currently proceeding with arrangements to extend the Protocol's application to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Covers over 80% of global trade, yet blind spots still require vigilance.

The system covers over 80% of global trade, but the remaining 20% includes key markets for Chinese enterprises. As of 8 in 2026, major non-member countries include:

Latin America: Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay;

Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, Tanzania, Uganda;

Middle East: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (before 2026/10/8), Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Yemen;

South Asia and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar;

Surrounding China: Taiwan, Macao, and Hong Kong.

For these markets, the Madrid system is not feasible; individual country applications are required. On the layout table, "Covered by Madrid" and "Individual Country Application Required" should be standard labels.

Scaling logic aligned with enterprise rhythm

The timeline in recent years follows a clear pattern: Brazil joined in 2019, ending the "gap" among Latin American powers; Canada joined in 2019, completing North America's representation; and Gulf states entered densely after 2021. The larger the market joining, the higher the marginal value it adds to the system—this is the fundamental driver behind Madrid's sustained growth.

Three key takeaways for enterprises: First, maintain the list dynamically. Review target market lists annually against membership updates; once Saudi Arabia becomes effective, country-specific filings can be replaced with Madrid Protocol applications. Second, leverage later designation. When new members join, existing international trademarks can be extended at any time. Third, prepare early for untapped markets. Single-country filing timelines and costs vary significantly in non-member markets; incorporate these into your budget and schedule proactively.

The system landscape isn't a static map; it's a continuously expanding network. Keep pace with scaling to fully capitalize on the opportunities.

Fuzhou Mingzhi Trademark and Patent Agency (General Partnership)

IP professional agency filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration

Integrity builds trust; knowledge drives action.

Fujian-based boutique IP firm specializing in niche industries. Core team members have over 10 years of experience, focusing on high-value services including cross-border patents, patent invalidation proceedings, and patent infringement litigation. We uphold the highest standards of professional practice, strictly conduct cross-research using Incopat and PatSeas, maintain a selective caseload, and refuse to accept abnormal patent applications involving mere drafting. We deliver strong protection and high win rates for specialized, innovative, and new enterprises.

Location: Fuzhou, Fujian

Core Business Areas: Domestic trademark registration and Madrid Protocol international trademark filing, patent application agency services, trademark refusal review and invalidation proceedings, IP litigation and enforcement, corporate IP strategic planning, and training.

[Keywords] Madrid trademark, Madrid System, Madrid Protocol, international trademark registration, WIPO International Bureau, exporting trademarks overseas, foreign trademark registration, Fuzhou trademark agency, Fuzhou intellectual property agency

Disclaimer: This article is for general industry education and does not constitute legal advice for specific cases. For case-specific guidance, please consult a qualified trademark agent.