Howard Berman: “I rise in support of H.R. 769, a bill to implement the Madrid Protocol Agreement providing for an international…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 769, a bill to implement the Madrid Protocol Agreement providing for an international registration system for trademarks. I am strongly of the belief that the one-stop shop provided for in the Madrid Protocol whereby trademark applicants can file one application in their own country and in their own language and, in so doing, achieve worldwide protection for their trademarks is in the interest of American businesses. But while the Protocol took effect 2 years ago, it may never achieve its purpose unless and until the U.S. elects to participate. However, the State Department has not forwarded the treaty to the Senate for ratification because of continuing concerns on the part of the United States regarding the voting rights of intergovernmental members of the Protocol. In particular, under the Protocol, the European Union receives a separate vote in addition to the votes of its member states. The State Department is concerned that it is a violation of the concept of one vote per country and could set an unfortunate precedent in future international agreements. While the State Department pursues its concerns with European Commission officials, I believe it is important that we in this body signal our support for the substantive provisions of the Protocol. I know of no opposition to these provisions, nor to this bill. I urge its support.”