Direct answer
The Madrid System is an international filing framework administered by WIPO. An applicant with a qualifying connection to a Madrid member and a basic trademark application or registration through its Office of origin can seek protection in designated members, including China. A Madrid international registration is not a worldwide trademark and does not automatically make a mark protected in China.
What is the basic mark?
WIPO’s filing overview defines the basic mark as the national or regional trademark application or registration filed with the applicant’s Office of origin. WIPO says Madrid eligibility requires nationality, domicile or business in a member plus that basic mark. If the company is connected with more than one member, the Office of origin choice still needs a basic mark there. A registration in an unrelated country is not, by itself, a complete eligibility answer.
The applicant should compare the basic mark’s owner, sign and goods or services with the intended international application. WIPO’s filing materials and the selected Office of origin determine the international application process. A company should also identify the person who will receive WIPO communications and any local notices from designated offices. The list of designated members is a set of requests for protection, not a single decision binding every jurisdiction.
What happens when China is designated?
WIPO explains that each designated member’s domestic law determines the scope of protection. CNIPA’s foreign-applicant guidance identifies Madrid designation of China as a separate route from domestic China filing. A brand should therefore ask how a China designation will be monitored, how a provisional refusal or other notice will be handled, and whether its Chinese brand name or goods descriptions require separate attention. Do not state that Madrid is always cheaper or faster: fees, member rules and commercial scope need current, case-specific comparison.
For a first brief, provide the Office of origin, basic-mark number, intended designated members, mark image and goods or services. Professional review should compare this route with a domestic China application before an instruction is given.
Official sources and scope
As checked on 2 November 2026, the 2019-amended Trademark Law is the current statutory text. The 2026 revised Trademark Law has been enacted but takes effect on 1 January 2027. For a matter crossing that date, check the applicable rule and final implementing measures. This is ChanYond’s independent explanation of public sources, not an official CNIPA statement or advice on a particular mark.
Primary topic sources checked 2 November 2026: WIPO Madrid filing overview