PCT applications: any international application where Montenegro is designated or elected shall be deemed to be an application for extension of the European patent to Montenegro, and the European Patent Office shall act as designated or elected Office under the PCT. Also, the European Patent Office shall act as the competent authority for the searching and international preliminary examination of international applications filed with the responsible authority acting as receiving office under the PCT. Time limit for entering the national phase: 30 months from the priority date (as for the European applications).
Extension of European Patents: an agreement was signed with Montenegro on February 13, 2009. From March 1, 2010, it is possible to extend to Montenegro the protection conferred by European patent applications and patents directly. European patent validation requirements: (a) appointment of a national representative is required; (b) translation of the claims only into the official language is required, within a non-extendible term of three months after the date on which the mention of the grant of the European patent is published in the European Patent Bulletin; (c) the minimum time period for paying renewal fees due at validation is two months.
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.
Kinds of protection: verbal, pictorial, three-dimensional and other designations or their combinations. 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 publication date may lead to cancellation.
Duration – renewals: 10-year period after the filing date or last renewal date.
Opposition: can be filed within ninety days from the date of publication of the application by the owner of an earlier mark on relative grounds. Interested persons can only notify the IP Office about the existence of an identical or similar sign or other reasons for refusal.
Duration - renewals: after formal examination: 25 years from the filing date.
Opposition: not provided for.
Duration – renewals: one to ten years, renewable for like periods.
Uniform dispute resolution procedure: before the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.
Area: 13,812 sq. km.
Population: 625,266 inhabitants (census 2011).
Capital: Podgorica.
Language: Montenegrin.
Currency: Euro.
Montenegro was one of the six republics of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It became an independent state on June 3, 2006.
The economy of Montenegro is mainly based on tourism and commerce, with a less developed industry based mainly on bauxite and forestry.
If you wish more detailed information concerning intellectual property protection in this territory please contact us or order Katzarov's Manual on Industrial Property®.
KATZAROV SA
Patent & Trademark Attorneys
Geneva Business Center
Avenue des Morgines 12
1213 Petit-Lancy
Geneva
Switzerland
T +41 22 342 66 30
F +41 22 342 66 15
admin@katzarov.com