14.11.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 296/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1992/2003 of 27 October 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 40/94 on the Community trade mark to give effect to the accession of the European Community to the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks adopted at Madrid on 27 June 1989 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 308 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (!), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (), Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (), Whereas: (1) Regulation (EC) No 40/94 (4 (the Community trade mark Regulation), which is based on Article 308 of the Treaty, is designed to create a market which functions properly and offers conditions which are similar to those obtaining in a national market. In order to create a market of this kind and make it increasingly a single market, the said Regulation created the Community trade mark system whereby undertakings can, by means of one procedural system, obtain Community trade marks to which uniform protection is given and which produce their effects throughout the entire area of the European Community. (2)  The Diplomatic Conference for the conclusion of a Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks adopted the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks (hereafter referred to as the Madrid Protocol) on 27 June 1989, at Madrid. (3)  The Madrid Protocol was adopted in order to introduce certain new features into the system of the international registration of marks existing under the Madrid Agree- ment concerning the international registration of marks of 14 April 1891 as amended (hereafter referred to as the Madrid Agreement) (°). (4)  As compared to the Madrid Agreement, the Madrid Protocol introduced, in its Article 14, as one of the main innovations the possibility that an intergovernmental () 0 C 300, 10.10.1996, p. 11. () 0J C 127, 2.6.1997, p. 251. () O] C 89, 19.3.1997, p. 14. (4 o] (’) The Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks as revised last at Stockholm on 14 July 1967 and as amended on 2 October 1979. organisation which has a regional office for the purpose of registering marks with effect in the territory of the organisation may become party to the Madrid Protocol. (5 The Madrid Protocol entered into force on 1 December 1995 and became operational on 1 April 1996 and the Community trade mark system also became operational on the latter date. (6)  The Community trade mark system and the international registration system as established by the Madrid Protocol are complementary. Therefore, in order to enable firms to benefit from the advantages of the Community trade mark through the Madrid Protocol and vice versa, it is necessary to allow Community trade mark applicants and holders of such trade marks to apply for interna- tional protection of their trade marks through the filing of an international application under the Madrid Protocol and, conversely, holders of international regis- trations under the Madrid Protocol to apply for protec- tion of their trade marks under the Community trade mark system. (7)  Moreover, the establishment of a link between the Community trade mark system and the international registration system under the Madrid Protocol would promote a harmonious development of economic activ- ities, will eliminate distortions of competition, will be cost efficient and will increase the level of integration and functioning of the internal market. Therefore, the accession of the Community to the Madrid Protocol is necessary in order for the Community trade mark system to become more attractive. (8)  For the above reasons, the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission (), approved the Madrid Protocol and authorised the President of the Council to deposit the instrument of accession with the Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) as from the date on which the Council has adopted the measures which are necessary to give effect to the acces- sion of the European Community to the Madrid Protocol. This Regulation contains these measures. (®) Commission proposal for a Council Decision approving the acces- sion of the European Community to the Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks, adopted at Madrid on June 27, 1989 (O] C 293, 5.10.1996, p. 11).