News & Insights

In a welcome change for Australian exporters, IP Australia has announced that the current Trade Marks Goods and Services list will be replaced by the internationally recognised Madrid Goods and Services (MGS) list in March 2024.

This change will bring Australian trade mark practice in line with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and many international trade mark offices.

What is the significance of this change?

By adopting the MGS list, it will likely become easier for Australian exporters to protect their trade marks in other countries and will make the overall process of filing and managing trade marks more efficient. Additionally, the change should make it easier for Australians to file marks internationally and will provide applicants with a more comprehensive database of acceptable goods and services.

It is important to note that while the Australian Goods and Services list currently allows very broad claims (i.e. installation and repair services), the MGS requires more specificity in the goods and services claimed. The table below provides some examples of goods and services claims under the IP Australia list compared to the MGS list:

Need further information?

If you need further information on how the adoption of the MGS list will affect your future trade mark applications, please get in touch with our Intellectual Property team.

The information contained in this article is general in nature and cannot be relied on as legal advice nor does it create an engagement. Please contact one of our lawyers listed above for advice about your specific situation.