DAVE: Thank you for coming out.

NARRATOR: Dave is a rockstar. He is the founder of a rock band IRON SUSPENDERS that is quickly gaining popularity around the world. He wants to trademark the name of the band but wants to find out how far the protection will take him.

DAVE: How did you like the concert?

TRADEMARK FACTORY: It was great. Looks like you are getting a lot of traction with your music.

DAVE: Yeah, our new record is going gold.

TRADEMARK FACTORY: You must be very proud. So how can I help?

DAVE: I know we want to protect our brand. What I was wondering is whether registering it as a trademark in the U.S. would protect us anywhere else?

TRADEMARK FACTORY: With very few exceptions that you should not rely on, the answer is no. Trademark protection is national, which means that you are only protected in the country where the trademark is registered.

DAVE: But didn't you say that the protection is Federal?

TRADEMARK FACTORY: Exactly. Your U.S. registration protects you in every state, but not outside the United States.

DAVE: So how do we protect the brand in Canada?

TRADEMARK FACTORY: You would need to file a separate trademark application with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

DAVE: Oh.

TRADEMARK FACTORY: Good news is that both the U.S. and Canada are parties to the Paris Convention that gives you a 6-months grace period. Here's how it works.

TRADEMARK FACTORY: Let's say you file your application in the U.S. on May 1, 2014.

TRADEMARK FACTORY: Someone else, let's call him Richard, files an application for the same name in Canada on August 12, 2014.

TRADEMARK FACTORY: You have until November 1, 2014, to file your applications in any other country, and such future applications will prevail over applications for confusingly similar marks filed by anyone else.

TRADEMARK FACTORY: So if you file your application in Canada BEFORE November 1, 2014, then Richard's trademark application will be refused, because you can claim the date back to the date of your U.S. application.

DAVE: There ya go!

TRADEMARK FACTORY: However, if you DON'T file your application in the U.S. by November 1, 2014, then Richard's trademark application will be approved, and will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S.

DAVE: We better get my applications filed soon then.

TRADEMARK FACTORY: We're ready when you are. And don't forget to watch our video about international trademark applications! It may be very useful!

DAVE: I sure will.