What can be protected?
Patent protection is available for inventions in any field of technology that are new, involve an inventive step, and are industrially applicable.
What cannot be protected (as such / general exclusions)?
Exclusions include discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, aesthetic creations, schemes, rules, and methods for mental acts, games, or business, presentations of information, and computer programs as such. Inventions contrary to public order or morality are also excluded.
Filing and priority
Paris Convention priority can be claimed within 12 months from the priority date. Foreign applicants must act through a local representative (Montenegrin IP attorney). Priority documents (original or certified copies) must be filed within 3 months (non-extendable), with a certified translation into Montenegrin.
Language and translation requirements
Applications must be filed in Montenegrin. Supporting documents in foreign languages require certified translations into Montenegrin, depending on the document and stage.
Examination and office actions
National applications undergo formal examination only. Substantive examination is not performed initially. From 2025, patentees must submit evidence of patentability (for example, an EPO search report under a new cooperation agreement) by the end of the 9th year to maintain protection beyond the 10th year.
Term and maintenance
Standard patent term: 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annual maintenance fees.
Term extensions / SPC (important)
Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) for medicinal and plant protection products may extend protection up to 5 years, subject to eligibility rules.