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The Paris Convention Explained
The Paris Convention Explained
6 Dec 2025
How Businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the UK Can Protect Their Trade Marks Overseas Using the Paris Convention
If you're expanding your business overseas, whether through exporting, franchising, licensing, or opening new locations, the Paris Convention is one of the most powerful tools for protecting your brand internationally.
Here's the key benefit: file your trade mark in one country, and you get six months to file in other countries while keeping your original filing date.
This means you can stop copycats from hijacking your brand overseas before you physically expand.
What Is the Paris Convention?
The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property is an international treaty covering 180+ countries. It was established to harmonise intellectual property protection across borders.
For trade mark owners, it offers one critical advantage: priority rights.
If you file a trade mark application in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK, you automatically get a six-month window to file in other Paris Convention countries, and all those later filings are treated as if they were filed on your original filing date.
Understanding Priority: What It Means for Your Brand
Priority is the legal concept that your first filing date "travels" with you internationally.
Here's why this matters:
Your original filing date gets priority status in all subsequent Paris Convention countries
No one can claim a trade mark in another country with an earlier date than yours if you ultimately apply in that country within the 6-month window also
You buy time to evaluate markets before committing to international filings
You take steps to protect your brand globally before launching internationally
In short, priority helps to protect your brand from the moment you first file, even as you expand globally.
Why Priority Is Critical for International Expansion
There are two major reasons priority matters:
1. Buy Time to Plan Your Expansion
You don't need to commit to 50 countries immediately. File at home, then use up to six months to research markets, evaluate demand, and decide where to file next. Your priority date is protected the whole time.
2. Build a Strategic Global Brand Protection Plan
Rather than reactive filings, you can develop a coordinated strategy that aligns with your actual business expansion, without losing legal priority across borders.
The Six-Month Priority Window: Timeline and Example
The six-month priority window gives you flexibility. Here's how it works:
Example Timeline:
1 January 2025: You file a trade mark application in Australia for your café brand
1 July 2025: Deadline to file in other countries
Result: All filings before 1 July are treated as if filed on 1 January 2025
This six-month window is fixed. You cannot extend it, so planning ahead is essential.
How Australian, NZ and UK Businesses Use the Paris Convention
Real-World Examples:
Scenario 1: Australian Café Group Expanding to Singapore and Malaysia
An Australian café brand files a trade mark application in Australia in January. Before July, they've evaluated the Singapore and Malaysia markets. They file Paris Convention applications in both countries, securing priority on their original Australian filing date. The brand is now on its way to being protected across three jurisdictions with one filing date.
Scenario 2: NZ eCommerce Business Growing Into the US and EU
A New Zealand online retailer files domestically in March. They spend four months analyzing US and EU market demand. In July, they file Madrid Protocol applications (which use Paris Convention priority). Their brand is now on its way to being secured in the US, EU, UK, and NZ, all with March priority.
Scenario 3: UK Food Brand Entering the EU
A UK-based food company files a trade mark in the UK in May. By October, they've confirmed EU expansion plans. They file with EUIPO (EU trade mark office), claiming Paris Convention priority from their UK filing date. EU protection is now on its way to being locked in with the original UK date.
Who Benefits Most From the Paris Convention?
The Paris Convention is ideal for:
Hospitality groups expanding across regions
Retail brands entering new markets
Tech companies scaling internationally
Export-focused businesses protecting goods globally
Fashion and luxury brands securing premium markets
Food and beverage companies expanding across continents
Professional services entering new jurisdictions
If your business is planning international growth, the Paris Convention is a must-use tool.
Where Australian, NZ and UK Companies Typically File Next
Based on business expansion patterns, here are the most common next steps:
Asia-Pacific Markets:
Singapore (IP hub, strong enforcement)
Malaysia (regional expansion)
Hong Kong (Asia-Pacific gateway)
China (high market opportunity, file early)
European Markets:
EUIPO (single EU filing covering 27 countries)
Switzerland (important for luxury brands)
UK (if filing from EU, vice versa)
North America:
United States (largest market)
Canada (trade volume, geographic proximity)
Common Mistakes Australian, NZ and UK Businesses Make
Mistake 1: Missing the Six-Month Deadline
The priority window doesn't extend. If you wait seven months, you lose priority status in new countries. Plan ahead, mark your calendar.
Mistake 2: Filing in Too Many Countries Too Early
Filing in 30 countries when you're only expanding to 5 wastes budget. File strategically aligned with your business roadmap.
Mistake 3: Incorrect Trade Mark Class Selection
If your original filing covers only goods but you expand into services (or vice versa), priority won't apply to the new classes. Get your classes right the first time.
Mistake 4: Assuming Priority Guarantees Approval
Priority protects your date, not your trade mark. Each country still examines your application independently. A rival might still oppose your mark in some countries.
Mistake 5: Not Aligning Protection With Business Strategy
If you're not actually expanding to a country, why file there? Focus on real markets, use Paris Convention to protect your actual expansion plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does claiming priority guarantee my trade mark will be approved?
A: No. Priority protects your filing date. Each country still examines your application independently against their own laws and existing trade marks.
Q: Can I file after six months?
A: Yes, but you lose priority status. Your new filing date becomes the effective date in that country, so anyone filing between month 6 and your filing date could claim priority over you.
Q: Can I expand my goods or services when filing in other countries?
A: No. Consult early to avoid this.
Q: Does priority apply to logos, word marks, and composite marks?
A: Yes, priority applies to all trade mark types, word marks, logos, composite marks.
Q: What if I file in Australia and later in the US, but another company files the same mark in between?
A: Your priority date is earlier, so your application takes precedence. The later filer's application may be objected to by the examiner or opposed by you based on your priority date.
Expanding overseas from Australia, New Zealand or the UK?
The Paris Convention gives you a six-month window to protect your brand globally. Don't miss it.
Plummark can help you:
File your trade mark correctly in your home country
Develop an international filing strategy aligned with your expansion plan
File in priority countries within your six-month window
Avoid costly mistakes with class selection and timing
Book a free consultation or email us to discuss your international trade mark strategy. We'll create a filing plan and cost estimate so you're confident your brand is protected as you grow.
How Businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the UK Can Protect Their Trade Marks Overseas Using the Paris Convention
If you're expanding your business overseas, whether through exporting, franchising, licensing, or opening new locations, the Paris Convention is one of the most powerful tools for protecting your brand internationally.
Here's the key benefit: file your trade mark in one country, and you get six months to file in other countries while keeping your original filing date.
This means you can stop copycats from hijacking your brand overseas before you physically expand.
What Is the Paris Convention?
The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property is an international treaty covering 180+ countries. It was established to harmonise intellectual property protection across borders.
For trade mark owners, it offers one critical advantage: priority rights.
If you file a trade mark application in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK, you automatically get a six-month window to file in other Paris Convention countries, and all those later filings are treated as if they were filed on your original filing date.
Understanding Priority: What It Means for Your Brand
Priority is the legal concept that your first filing date "travels" with you internationally.
Here's why this matters:
Your original filing date gets priority status in all subsequent Paris Convention countries
No one can claim a trade mark in another country with an earlier date than yours if you ultimately apply in that country within the 6-month window also
You buy time to evaluate markets before committing to international filings
You take steps to protect your brand globally before launching internationally
In short, priority helps to protect your brand from the moment you first file, even as you expand globally.
Why Priority Is Critical for International Expansion
There are two major reasons priority matters:
1. Buy Time to Plan Your Expansion
You don't need to commit to 50 countries immediately. File at home, then use up to six months to research markets, evaluate demand, and decide where to file next. Your priority date is protected the whole time.
2. Build a Strategic Global Brand Protection Plan
Rather than reactive filings, you can develop a coordinated strategy that aligns with your actual business expansion, without losing legal priority across borders.
The Six-Month Priority Window: Timeline and Example
The six-month priority window gives you flexibility. Here's how it works:
Example Timeline:
1 January 2025: You file a trade mark application in Australia for your café brand
1 July 2025: Deadline to file in other countries
Result: All filings before 1 July are treated as if filed on 1 January 2025
This six-month window is fixed. You cannot extend it, so planning ahead is essential.
How Australian, NZ and UK Businesses Use the Paris Convention
Real-World Examples:
Scenario 1: Australian Café Group Expanding to Singapore and Malaysia
An Australian café brand files a trade mark application in Australia in January. Before July, they've evaluated the Singapore and Malaysia markets. They file Paris Convention applications in both countries, securing priority on their original Australian filing date. The brand is now on its way to being protected across three jurisdictions with one filing date.
Scenario 2: NZ eCommerce Business Growing Into the US and EU
A New Zealand online retailer files domestically in March. They spend four months analyzing US and EU market demand. In July, they file Madrid Protocol applications (which use Paris Convention priority). Their brand is now on its way to being secured in the US, EU, UK, and NZ, all with March priority.
Scenario 3: UK Food Brand Entering the EU
A UK-based food company files a trade mark in the UK in May. By October, they've confirmed EU expansion plans. They file with EUIPO (EU trade mark office), claiming Paris Convention priority from their UK filing date. EU protection is now on its way to being locked in with the original UK date.
Who Benefits Most From the Paris Convention?
The Paris Convention is ideal for:
Hospitality groups expanding across regions
Retail brands entering new markets
Tech companies scaling internationally
Export-focused businesses protecting goods globally
Fashion and luxury brands securing premium markets
Food and beverage companies expanding across continents
Professional services entering new jurisdictions
If your business is planning international growth, the Paris Convention is a must-use tool.
Where Australian, NZ and UK Companies Typically File Next
Based on business expansion patterns, here are the most common next steps:
Asia-Pacific Markets:
Singapore (IP hub, strong enforcement)
Malaysia (regional expansion)
Hong Kong (Asia-Pacific gateway)
China (high market opportunity, file early)
European Markets:
EUIPO (single EU filing covering 27 countries)
Switzerland (important for luxury brands)
UK (if filing from EU, vice versa)
North America:
United States (largest market)
Canada (trade volume, geographic proximity)
Common Mistakes Australian, NZ and UK Businesses Make
Mistake 1: Missing the Six-Month Deadline
The priority window doesn't extend. If you wait seven months, you lose priority status in new countries. Plan ahead, mark your calendar.
Mistake 2: Filing in Too Many Countries Too Early
Filing in 30 countries when you're only expanding to 5 wastes budget. File strategically aligned with your business roadmap.
Mistake 3: Incorrect Trade Mark Class Selection
If your original filing covers only goods but you expand into services (or vice versa), priority won't apply to the new classes. Get your classes right the first time.
Mistake 4: Assuming Priority Guarantees Approval
Priority protects your date, not your trade mark. Each country still examines your application independently. A rival might still oppose your mark in some countries.
Mistake 5: Not Aligning Protection With Business Strategy
If you're not actually expanding to a country, why file there? Focus on real markets, use Paris Convention to protect your actual expansion plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does claiming priority guarantee my trade mark will be approved?
A: No. Priority protects your filing date. Each country still examines your application independently against their own laws and existing trade marks.
Q: Can I file after six months?
A: Yes, but you lose priority status. Your new filing date becomes the effective date in that country, so anyone filing between month 6 and your filing date could claim priority over you.
Q: Can I expand my goods or services when filing in other countries?
A: No. Consult early to avoid this.
Q: Does priority apply to logos, word marks, and composite marks?
A: Yes, priority applies to all trade mark types, word marks, logos, composite marks.
Q: What if I file in Australia and later in the US, but another company files the same mark in between?
A: Your priority date is earlier, so your application takes precedence. The later filer's application may be objected to by the examiner or opposed by you based on your priority date.
Expanding overseas from Australia, New Zealand or the UK?
The Paris Convention gives you a six-month window to protect your brand globally. Don't miss it.
Plummark can help you:
File your trade mark correctly in your home country
Develop an international filing strategy aligned with your expansion plan
File in priority countries within your six-month window
Avoid costly mistakes with class selection and timing
Book a free consultation or email us to discuss your international trade mark strategy. We'll create a filing plan and cost estimate so you're confident your brand is protected as you grow.