How does the Madrid System work?

You file for International Registration at the Trademark Office of the country which corresponds to the Office of origin, indicating to which Contracting Parties you want to extend your registration. The Office certifies that the mark in the international application is the same as in the basic application or registration, that the applicant is the same person as the owner of the basic application or registration and that the goods and services listed in the international application are covered by those listed in the basic application or registration. Then the Office will forward your application to the WIPO in Switzerland, the International Bureau checks that all the filing requirements are met and that the goods and services are correctly classified. If so, the mark is recorded in the International Register. The International Bureau then notifies the international registration to the Offices of the designated countries, where it will be handled the same way as if it had been presented directly to them.