North Macedonia
North Macedonia (which officially changed its name from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in February 2019) is a member of the European Patent Convention (since 2009), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (since 1995), the Madrid Agreement (since 1991) and Madrid Protocol (since 2002) for trademarks, and the Hague Agreement (Geneva Act, since 2006) for industrial designs. Trademarks are protected for 10 years (renewable), patents for 20 years, and industrial designs for up to 25 years. The .mk country code domain requires local presence. Filing word-mark applications in the Cyrillic alphabet, in addition to the original version, is highly recommended. This page covers the filing requirements, legal basis, and key deadlines for protecting intellectual property in North Macedonia.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 25,713 sq. km.
Population: 2,135,622 (2024).
Capital: Skopje.
Language: Macedonian.
Currency: Macedonian denar.
GENERAL REMARKS
North Macedonia (previously known as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) used to be a part of former Yugoslavia. The Republic declared its independence on September 8, 1991. On February 12, 2019 the country officially changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia or “North Macedonia” for short, following an amendment to the Constitution.
PATENTS OF INVENTION
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Industrial Property, in force since February 23, 2009.
- Regulation on Patent, in force since July 24, 2009.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act, since September 8, 1991.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), since August 10, 1995.
- European Patent Convention (EPC), since January 1, 2009.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (no legalization)
- Specification and abstract (to be translated)
- Drawings (if necessary);
- Priority document, if claimed, to be filed within three months from the filing date.
REMARKS
Validity: after formal examination – valid for 20 years from the filing date.
Annuities: are due for the third and each following year for patent applications and patents counting from the filing date.
Opposition: not provided for
TRADE AND SERVICE MARKS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Industrial Property, in force since February 23, 2009.
- Regulation on Trade Mark, in force since July 24, 2009.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act, since September 8, 1991.
- Madrid Agreement, since September 8, 1991.
- Madrid Protocol, since August 30, 2002
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (no legalization);
- A representation of the trademark;
- List of goods and services, grouped according to the International Classification;
- Priority document, if any.
REMARKS
Kinds of protection: verbal*, pictorial, three-dimensional and other designations or their combination. Service marks are registrable. (*Besides the original version, filing of word mark applications in the Cyrillic alphabet is highly recommended.)
Classification: International.
Obligation to use the registered mark: compulsory. Non-use during any five-year period after the registration date may lead to cancellation.
Duration – renewals: 10-year period after the filing date or last renewal date.
Opposition: provided for. The application is published for opposition, which should be filed within 90 days.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Industrial Property, in force since February 23, 2009.
- Regulation on Industrial Design, in force since July 24, 2009.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act, since September 8, 1991.
- Hague Agreement, Geneva Act, since March 22, 2006.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (no legalization);
- Short description of the model or design, and of the novelty and purpose thereof;
- A representation of the design;
- Priority document, if any.
REMARKS
Duration – renewals: after formal examination, valid for 5 years, plus four 5-year extensions of term.
Opposition: provided for, within 90 days from the publication date of the application.
DOMAIN NAMES
LEGAL BASIS
- Regulation for the organization and management of MK Macedonian top-level domain names.
FILING
- ccTLD: .mk
- Applicant: individuals and legal entities.
- Local presence: required.
REMARKS
Duration – renewals: one year, renewable.
Uniform dispute resolution procedure: none.
Frequently Asked Questions — IP Protection in North Macedonia
What documents are required to register a trademark in North Macedonia?
To register a trademark in North Macedonia, the following documents are required: a Power of Attorney (signed by the applicant without legalization), a representation of the trademark, a list of goods and services grouped according to the International (Nice) Classification, and a priority document if applicable. Trademark registration is governed by the Law on Industrial Property, in force since February 23, 2009. Filing word-mark applications in the Cyrillic alphabet, alongside the original version, is highly recommended.
Can I register a trademark in North Macedonia through the international Madrid System?
North Macedonia is a member of the Madrid Agreement (since 1991) and the Madrid Protocol (since 2002), so international registration via WIPO is also possible.
What kinds of trademarks may be registered in North Macedonia?
In North Macedonia, trademarks may comprise verbal, pictorial, three-dimensional designations, or any combination thereof. Service marks are registrable. Besides the original version, filing word-mark applications in the Cyrillic alphabet is highly recommended for protection in North Macedonia.
How long is the trademark opposition period in North Macedonia?
The trademark application is published for opposition purposes, and opposition must be filed within 90 days from the publication date.
How long does trademark protection last in North Macedonia?
Trademark protection in North Macedonia lasts for 10 years from the filing date (or the last renewal date) and can be renewed for further periods of ten years indefinitely.
Must a trademark be used in North Macedonia?
Yes, use of a registered trademark in North Macedonia is compulsory. Non-use during any five-year period after the registration date may lead to cancellation of the registration.
What are the routes for filing a patent in North Macedonia?
North Macedonia is a member of the Paris Convention (since 1991), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT, since 1995), and the European Patent Convention (EPC, since 2009). Filing requirements include: a Power of Attorney (no legalization), a specification and abstract (to be translated), drawings if necessary, and a priority document (claimed within three months from the filing date if applicable). After formal examination, the patent is valid for 20 years from the filing date.
How long is the patent opposition period in North Macedonia?
Opposition is not provided for in North Macedonia. Patent applications proceed through formal examination at the State Office of Industrial Property (SOIP).
When are patent annuities due in North Macedonia?
Patent annuities in North Macedonia are due for the third year and each following year, counting from the filing date, for both patent applications and granted patents. Timely payment is essential to keep the patent in force throughout its 20-year term. For current deadlines and practitioner guidance, consult Katzarov’s Manual on Industrial Property.
How do I register an industrial design in North Macedonia?
Industrial designs in North Macedonia are protected under the Law on Industrial Property (in force since February 23, 2009). Filing requires: a Power of Attorney (no legalization), a short description of the model or design including its novelty and purpose, a representation of the design, and a priority document if any. North Macedonia is also a member of the Hague Agreement (Geneva Act, since March 22, 2006), so international design protection via WIPO is available. After formal examination, design protection lasts for 5 years from the filing date, extendable by four additional 5-year periods (maximum 25 years). Opposition is provided for within 90 days from the publication date of the application.
How do I register a .mk domain name?
The .mk domain is North Macedonia’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD). Both individuals and legal entities can register a .mk domain, but local presence is required. Registration is for one year, renewable. There is no uniform dispute resolution procedure (UDRP) for .mk domains.
Does the power of attorney need notarization or legalization in North Macedonia?
In North Macedonia, the Power of Attorney for trademark, patent, and design filings does not require legalization or notarization. A simply signed POA is sufficient.
Where can I search the North Macedonian trademark database?
North Macedonia’s trademark register is maintained by the State Office of Industrial Property (SOIP) in Skopje. Effective searching requires knowledge of the Nice Classification, multilingual considerations (Macedonian, Cyrillic and Latin scripts), and interpretation of legal status codes. For comprehensive trademark searches and clearance opinions, contact Katzarov’s team.
Where can I search for patents in North Macedonia?
Patent records in North Macedonia are maintained by the State Office of Industrial Property (SOIP). For professional patent searches, contact Katzarov’s team.
What is the contact information for the State Office of Industrial Property of North Macedonia (SOIP)?
The State Office of Industrial Property (SOIP) of North Macedonia is located in Skopje. Website: ippo.gov.mk. For prosecution, search and clearance assistance, contact Katzarov’s team.
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