Is Madrid Protocol the same thing as WIPO?

No, the Madrid Protocol and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) are not the same thing, but they are closely related.

The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty administered by the International Bureau of WIPO. It provides a centralized system for the international registration of trademarks. Under the Madrid Protocol, trademark owners can file a single international application with their national or regional trademark office and designate one or more member countries where they seek trademark protection. The application is then processed by the International Bureau of WIPO and transmitted to the trademark offices of the designated countries for examination and registration.

WIPO, on the other hand, is an international organization that administers various intellectual property treaties, including the Madrid Protocol. WIPO's mission is to promote and protect intellectual property rights worldwide. It provides services, information, and infrastructure to facilitate the protection of intellectual property, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. WIPO also facilitates international cooperation and harmonization in the field of intellectual property.

In summary, the Madrid Protocol is a specific international treaty that establishes a system for the international registration of trademarks, and it is administered by the International Bureau of WIPO. WIPO, as an organization, provides the administrative support and infrastructure for various international intellectual property treaties, including the Madrid Protocol, to facilitate the protection of intellectual property rights globally.