What foreign priority claims are available for a U.S. Trademark Application ?
The U.S. is a signatory to the (1) WTO TRIPS, (2) Inter-American Convention (Pan American Convention), (3) Buenos Aires Convention, and (4) PARIS Conventions. Additionally, a foreign applicant may claim priority arising out of a European CTM, and their exists a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Taiwan. Foreign priority will also be afforded where the foreign jurisdiction provides reciprocal rights of trademark priority to U.S. citizens. Finally, the U.S. has ratified the Madrid Protocol which shall become effective in the U.S. in November, 2003.
