Trademark registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina, shortened BiH or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often identified informally as Bosnia, is a country in South and Southeast Europe, settled within the Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a thriving country that attracts many foreign businesses. If one wants to conduct business in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they need to know the trademark registration procedure here.
Register a trademark in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina follows the ‘first to file’ regulation. Therefore, it is crucial for trademark owners to register their trademark as soon as possible, for others might steal their trademarks by applying first. The trademark applications can be filed with the Intellectual Property Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IPR).
Bosnia and Herzegovina is also a member state of the Madrid Protocol. Hence, the extension of international registration of a trademark via the Madrid System is possible for this country.
Trademark registration procedure in Bosnia and Herzegovina
If you register a combined trademark (include both word and figurative elements) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exclusive right to use the trademark is limited to the use of the trademark in the exact configuration or way in which it was filed and registered. Therefore, to avoid such circumstances, applicants should file their application with the word element of their trademark separately from the logo (or vice versa). Furthermore, applicants should only register for another trademark including only the word or figurative elements they wish to use and protect separately.
Once registered, the trademark will be protected by the law of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If a third party means to register or use a trademark for similar goods or services that includes a primary or distinct part or portion of the trademark, trademark owners will have the right to oppose the application based on confusing similarity.
Note: If a trademark isn’t used for 5 consecutive years after the date of registration, it will become vulnerable to cancellation actions based on lack of use of the trademark. However, it should also be noted that the applicants may object this decision if he/she can provide reasons justifiable in some circumstances.
The opposition of trademark registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina
After the publication of the application in the trademarks gazette, any related parties may file an opposition against a local trademark application within 3 months. In the event of applications designating Bosnia and Herzegovina and filed via the Madrid protocol, the timeframe is of 3 months beginning on the first of the month after the publication in the WIPO Gazette.
Trademark renewal in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Trademarks in Bosnia and Herzegovina have a validity of 10 years from the application date and can be renewed for another 10 years indefinitely. Trademark owners should also know that there is a grace period of 6 months after the expiration date for the owners to renew their trademark with an additional fee in case they forget to extend their trademark before the deadline.
You can see a list of Bosnia and Herzegovina IP firms here.