Plan and file your international trade mark with a clearer strategy from Australia

Problems often begin before the application is lodged. Businesses may nominate countries without a clear commercial reason, choose goods and services that do not align well with the Australian base mark, or assume one filing route will suit every market. Those early choices can affect cost, follow-up work and the likelihood of objections later. This service helps you address those issues at the planning stage by looking at eligibility, filing route and jurisdiction choices before the application is submitted.

It is commonly relevant when your business is already selling overseas, preparing to launch in several countries, licensing the brand internationally, or trying to secure rights before entering new markets. If your commercial activity is still only in Australia, a domestic filing may be the more sensible first step. This service is aimed at businesses that need support with the international layer, including the strategic decisions that come before and during a Madrid Protocol filing, rather than advice limited to an Australian application alone.

Yes. Choosing countries is one of the most commercially important parts of the process because each nominated jurisdiction can add cost and possible follow-up issues. We can discuss where you currently trade, where you expect to expand, and which markets matter most for licensing, manufacturing, distribution or competitor risk. That helps shape a filing strategy that reflects your plans rather than a blanket list of countries. Final acceptance still depends on the assessment made by each relevant overseas office after filing.

Not necessarily. The Madrid Protocol can be a useful pathway for many Australian businesses, but it is not the right answer in every case. Suitability can depend on your Australian application or registration, the countries you want to cover, and whether there are practical reasons to consider direct national filings instead. As part of this service, we can explain the trade-offs and help you decide whether a Madrid filing appears appropriate for your circumstances. That way, the filing route is chosen for strategic reasons, not just convenience.

It helps to have your Australian trade mark details, including whether the mark is pending or registered, along with a list of the countries you are considering. You should also be ready to explain the goods or services tied to the brand and any overseas expansion plans that matter commercially. If you already know of similar brands or possible conflicts in target markets, that information can also be useful. With that material, we can assess eligibility and move more efficiently into filing strategy and application preparation.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Our law firm operates completely online, which means we can help you wherever you are in Australia. We work at The Commons Central - a cool co-working space in Chippendale, Sydney - but our lawyers often work flexibly across various locations.

Our lawyers also work from co-working spaces and home offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, so clients can get help online without needing to meet in person.