What is a trademark?

According to the Croatian legislation any sign, in  particular words, letters, numbers, abbreviations, graphic representations, color combinations and their tones, three-dimensional forms, product forms or their packaging, may be protected by trademark, provided that they are distinctive as well as combinations of all the aforementioned characters.

 

How to register a trademark in Croatia?

The first step is to file a national trademark application with the Croatian State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). The application is at first examined as to formal requirements, which is followed by an examination for absolute grounds for refusal. If such grounds exists, the SIPO gives the applicant an opportunity to make observations. If the trademark is accepted for registration, the application is published in the Official Journal to allow  the owner of an earlier trademark or any other person to oppose, within three months, the registration. If no opposition is filed or it eventually filled opposition has been refused, the trademark is registered

 

How long does registration last in Croatia?

The registration is valid for 10 years, and can be renewed every subsequent 10 years upon payment of approx. 200 EUR of renewal fee to SIPO.

 

What rights does a registered trademark confer in Croatia?

The exclusive right to use the trademark to identify goods or services and the right to prevent third parties not having the owner’s consent from using it in the course of trade.