• PCT entries
  • Patent Translations
  • Inventions
  • Utility models
  • Patent Analysis (FTO)
  • Trademarks
  • Designs
  • Geographical Indications
  • Plant Breeders’ Rights
  • Domain disputes
  • Copyright
  • Customs control
  • European Declaration of Conformity
  • Business mediation

    • Bosnia and Herzegovina

    What can be protected

    Patent protection is available for inventions in any field of technology, provided that the invention:

    • is new (novel),
    • involves an inventive step, and
    • is industrially applicable.

    What cannot be protected

    As a rule, patent protection does not extend to the following subject matter as such:

    • discoveries, scientific theories, and mathematical methods;
    • aesthetic creations;
    • schemes, rules, and methods for performing mental acts, playing games, or doing business;
    • presentations of information;
    • computer programs as such.

    In addition, inventions whose commercial exploitation would be contrary to public order or morality are generally excluded.

    Filing and priority

    Paris Convention priority may be claimed within 12 months from the earliest filing date (priority date).

    Foreign applicants must generally be represented before the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina by a locally registered patent attorney.

    Language and translation requirements

    Applications must be filed in Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian.
    Where supporting documents are in a foreign language, translations will be required.

    Examination and office actions

    National patent applications typically undergo:

    • formal examination, and
    • substantive examination (patentability assessment).

    The Office may issue office actions for deficiencies or objections, to which the applicant must respond within the prescribed time limits.

    Term and maintenance

    Standard patent term: 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annual maintenance fees.

    Term extensions / SPC (important)

    Bosnia and Herzegovina provides for Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) for certain regulated products (notably medicinal products and plant protection products) in qualifying cases, which may extend effective protection beyond the 20-year patent term, but by no more than 5 years.

    Typical required filing documents (national patent)

    • application form;
    • description;
    • claims;0
    • abstract;
    • drawings (if any);
    • power of attorney;
    • priority document(s) (if priority is claimed), with translation if required.