Patents Laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Here’s an overview of patent laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Patent Laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legal Framework:
Patent protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina is regulated primarily under the Law on Patents.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member of the European Patent Convention (EPC), allowing patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) to be validated in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The country also cooperates with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which facilitates international patent applications.
Patentability Criteria:
To qualify for patent protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina, an invention must:
Be new (not disclosed anywhere in the world before the filing date).
Have an inventive step (non-obvious to a person skilled in the relevant technical field).
Be industrially applicable (able to be made or used in some kind of industry).
Subject Matter Exclusions:
Certain things cannot be patented, including:
Discoveries, scientific theories, and mathematical methods.
Aesthetic creations.
Schemes, rules, or methods for performing mental acts, playing games, or doing business.
Computer programs as such.
Presentations of information.
Inventions that are against public order or morality.
Patent Application Process:
Patent applications are filed with the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the national IP office).
The application must contain a description, claims, abstract, and drawings if applicable.
The patent office conducts a formal examination and novelty search.
The patent term is 20 years from the filing date, provided annual maintenance fees are paid.
Enforcement:
Patent holders have the exclusive right to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention without consent.
Infringement disputes are handled by civil courts.
Criminal penalties may apply in cases of willful infringement.
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