Registration of industrial designs in Croatia – Every company that owns an industrial design and intends to expand its business in the Croatian market should use the Croatian intellectual property system. It is of paramount importance for businesses to file an industrial design application in Croatia for industrial designs, even if the launch of the respective product on the market in Croatia has not yet commenced.
Requirements for application for registration of industrial designs in Croatia
The deadline for filing an industrial design application in Croatia claiming priority is normally six months from the priority date. This term can be reinstated in Croatia within one year after the due date.
The official language when registering an industrial design at the Croatian State Intellectual Property Office (CSIPO) is Croatian.
The following information and documents need to be provided in the application for registration of an industrial design in Croatia:
- requirements for registration of industrial designs in Croatia;
- name, address, and nationality of the applicant, business address;
- industrial design name
- industrial design description;
- information on priority rights (if any);
- copies of the design (up to 6 copies).
- information identifying the authorized representative and a valid Power of Attorney (can be submitted after application, within two months of receiving notice from CSIPO).
Formal legalization of power of attorney (POA) is not required for the registration of industrial designs in Croatia. The POA must be filed within 60 days of receiving the official notification from the Croatian IP Office.
A certified copy of the priority document must be translated into Croatian and filed within three months of the filing of the industrial design application in Croatia.
Examination of an industrial design application in Croatia
The substantive examination of industrial designs in Croatia is not regulated.
Term of validity and renewal of industrial designs in Croatia
If the industrial design application complies with the requirements on a formal and absolute basis, the applicant will be notified to pay the maintenance fee for the first five years.
Concerning the novelty requirement for industrial design registration in Croatia, there is an exception that states that publication of the design is not considered if the design sought has already been published:
- by the design owner, designee, or third party as a result of information provided or action taken by the design owner or designee;
- within 12 months before the filing date of the industrial design registration application or if there is a claim for the priority right from the priority date.
Represented by an industrial design registration attorney
An international applicant for an industrial design registration in Croatia should conduct an industrial design search in Croatia through a law firm, or an experienced industrial design attorney.
You can find list of Croatia IP Firms here.