There is no discrimination in the IPR protection. Any firm can protect its IPRs before the Ministry of Justice National Institute for Industrial Property (INPI), despite of its nationality or domicile. In light of the changes made to the Portuguese legislation in 2008, the foreign firms have no longer to act before INPI through an industrial property official agent, as they can protect trademarks and patents directly before INPI’s services. Concerning  the requirements to take up and pursue an economic activity as an industrial property official agent, the Portuguese legislation has no discriminatory measures as it is currently in compliance with Directives 2005/36/CE and 2006/123/CE. The European Union is a Party to the Madrid Protocol.