Businesses using the Madrid System for international Trademark protection should be aware of an important change announced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Effective 1 August 2026, Jersey will no longer be automatically covered when applicants designate the United Kingdom in an international Trademark application.
Instead, Jersey will become an independent designation under the Madrid System, requiring applicants to specifically select Jersey if they wish to obtain Trademark protection there.
What Is Jersey?
Jersey is a self-governing British Crown Dependency located in the Channel Islands off the northwest coast of France. Although it has a population of just over 100,000, Jersey is a well-established international financial centre with significant banking, investment, agriculture, and tourism industries.
Many international businesses maintain commercial interests in Jersey, making Trademark protection in the jurisdiction increasingly relevant.
What Is Changing?
Until now, designating the United Kingdom under the Madrid System automatically extended Trademark protection to Jersey.
From 1 August 2026, this will no longer be the case. Applicants filing a new international application, a subsequent designation, or a renewal must separately designate:
- United Kingdom; and/or
- Jersey.
Selecting the United Kingdom alone will no longer provide Trademark protection in Jersey.
Why Does This Matter?
The change is particularly important for businesses that:
- operate in Jersey;
- plan to expand into the Jersey market;
- license their Trademarks to partners in Jersey; or
- wish to prevent third parties from registering similar marks there.
Failure to designate Jersey may leave Trademark owners without protection in the jurisdiction.
Declaration of Intention to Use
Applicants designating Jersey must declare that they intend to use the Trademark, or permit its use, for the goods and services covered by the international registration.
This declaration will be incorporated into the relevant Madrid System forms.
Jersey Will Have Its Own Office of Origin
From the same date, Jersey-based applicants will file international applications through the Jersey Registrar of Intellectual Property, which will become Jersey’s own Office of Origin under the Madrid System.
What About Existing International Registrations?
For international registrations that designated the United Kingdom before 1 August 2026, WIPO will automatically record a designation for Jersey.
However, if the UK’s refusal period has not yet expired, WIPO will wait until the UK grants protection before recording the Jersey designation.
If protection is ultimately refused or invalidated in the United Kingdom, WIPO will not record the Jersey designation. Once recorded, the UK and Jersey designations will operate independently.
Should you need more information regarding Trademark searches, registration, protection, licensing, and portfolio management in Jersey or any other country, please contact us through the channels below and claim your FREE 15-minute consultation:
📩 E-Mail : [email protected]
📞 Book a Call : +62 21 83793812
💬 WhatsApp : +62 812 87000 889
About AFFA:
Established in 1999, AFFA Intellectual Property Rights is an Indonesia-based boutique IP law firm serving international brands and innovators, offering full-service support—from prosecution and licensing to enforcement and commercialization—in Indonesia’s dynamic IP landscape. Our firm is widely recognized for its excellence, with accolades including “Best Boutique Law Firm in Indonesia” and “IP Enforcement Firm” at the Indonesia Law Firm Awards 2025 by Asia Business Law Journal, as well as being listed as a “Recommended Firm 2024 — Indonesia” by WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals. For more information, please visit: www.affa.co.id.
