Annual Technical Report on Trademark Information Activities in 2024 submitted by the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia
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URLs in responses should meet the following requirements:
I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADEMARK INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of patent information activities and expected time frames for their realization
In 2024 IPO Serbia continued to maintain its electronic services. The whole system uses data from IPAS administration system (patents, trademarks, industrial design), as well as separate databases for GI and Copyright:
- e-Registers for: Patents, Petty patents, SPC, Trademarks, Industrial design (connected to IPAS)
- Evidence of deposited copyright and related right works
- e-register of geographical indication of origin
- e-Filling
- e-Delivery
e-Filling – system consists of application and submission modules:
- Application for protection of invention with submodules for: patent, petty patent, SPC, EP validation and e-PCT application for international protection of invention
- Application for trademarks protection including submodules for: individual trademark, collective trademark and warranty trademark
- Application for industrial design with submodules for individual and multiple design applications
- Different modules for submitting submissions in the administrative procedures grouped in 10 groups with almost 70 electronic forms:
- Pre-application search, two forms for patent and trademark commercial searches
- Procedure upon submission of an application (17 forms)
- Procedure for international registration of trademark and industrial design (4 forms)
- Entries of changes into registers (12 forms)
- Cancellation of trademark and termination due to non-use (4 forms)
- Complaint request (1 form)
- Extracts from registers and certificates (5 forms)
- Other requests and submissions (12 forms)
- Fees (9 forms)
- Submissions of Collective management Organizations (14 forms)
Prerequisite for using e-Filing system for most of the actions in e-Filling system is possession of electronic signature certificates issued by certification bodies in Serbia.
In 2024 IPO RS received 4206 applications for industrial property rights in national proceedings, out of which 79.3% are received through e-Filling system, and share of other submissions through e-Filling was 63%.
E- delivery has been established in July 2020. It represents an electronic delivery of e-documents issued by the IPO, with its e-signature. The documents are being sent directly from our IPAS (Industrial Property Administration System) to the e-Mailbox within our governmental portal e-Uprava. Mainly is meant for representatives of our filed applications, but intention is to include as many applicants/owners of the rights, as possible. E-delivery was used for 30.3% of all Office’s delivered documents.
In calendar year 2024, Intellectual Property Office of Republic of Serbia received 2600 national applications. Compared to 2023 (2510), number of national applications fillings increased by 3.5%. 1935 national applications were registered, 21 more than in 2023, and 223 were refused, 50 more than in 2023.
At the same time the number of trademark applications filed under the Madrid System decreased for 2 applications. There were 4425 international applications in 2024 and in 2023 total number of international trademark applications was 4427. On the other hand, the International trademark department issued 4130 grant protection statements in 2024, against 4208 in 2023.
Trademark applications:
Year Madrid System National Total
2024 4425 2600 7025
2023 4427 2510 6937
2022 4598 2393 6991
Registered Trademarks:
Year Madrid System National Total
2024 4305 1935 6240
2023 4359 1914 6273
2022 4496 2081 6577
Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.
IPO Annual report https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/about-us/documents/annual-reports/
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) - URLs
All relevant data considering the trademark protection in Republic of Serbia are posted on the web site https://www.zis.gov.rs/ (https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/rights/trademark/). That includes 1) frequently asked questions about trademarks, 2) TM legislation, 3) guidelines and forms, 4) fees; 5) statistics; 6) Annual reports.
National trademark database: https://reg.zis.gov.rs/regis/search.htm?lang=en
Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
Application dossiers are available by the official website of the IP Office. Electronic trademark register contains bibliographic data on applications and registered trademarks and representations of trade marks, as well as the data on changes relating to applications and registered marks (assignments, licenses, pledges).
Trademark e-register: https://reg.zis.gov.rs/regis/search.htm?lang=en
For the changes in the Register after 1 January 2008, data are available electronically. For the changes, which are initiated before 1 January 2008, data are available in the written TM registers at the premises of the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia in Belgrade.
Matters concerning classifying
(i) Classification and reclassification activities; classification systems used, e.g., International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (Nice Classification), International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (Vienna Classification), other classification
(ii) Use of electronic classification systems and pre-defined terms of the classification applied
The Nice Classification is used for the similarity examination search, for commercial search and for statistics. The translation of the list of goods and services is available on the official web site with version from 2025: https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/databases/trademark/
In the course of 2024, 1852 figurative elements of trademark applications were classified according to the Vienna Classification of the Figurative Elements of Trademarks in the Electronic Register of Trademarks, as the regular task in the Trademark Department.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), from May 1st, 2013 activated the application of “Madrid Goods and Services Manager” (MGS) which represents the database with the purpose to assist the applicants of trademark applications and their representatives to create in an easier and more correct manner the list of goods and services necessary for the filing of the international trademark applications through the Madrid System.
In the Distinctive Signs Sector, the IPO has prepared the Serbian translation of changes for 2025 version of 12th edition of the Nice Classification, for the purpose of updating the Serbian version of the International database Goods and Services Manager on the WIPO’s website.
Apart from that, the active list of observed mistakes is continually updated with regard to translations and proposals for the improvement of particular translations, in particular the Nice Classification and the database of the MGS translation.
Matters concerning processing of different types of non-traditional marks (e.g., three-dimensional, motion, hologram, color mark, etc.)
IPO of the Republic of Serbia allows registration of non-traditional types of trademark for the three-dimensional, color and sound (musical) signs.
III. SOURCES OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
Main types of publications in the field of trademark information, outline of the content and medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs)
The main type of the publication in the field of trademark information is an official Intellectual Property Gazette. The following information and bibliographical data concerning published national applications and registered national trademarks and international trademarks are published in the Intellectual Property Gazette: application number, application date, application publication date, registration number, registration date, date concerning exhibitions, data relating to priority under the Paris Convention, list of goods and services according the Nice Classification, disclaimer, reproduction of the mark, information concerning the colors claimed, indication relating to the nature or kind of mark, name and address of the holder of the registration, name and address of the representative. Trademarks are published in grayscale and color technique.
Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online, URL), etc.
The Intellectual Property Office of Serbia, publishes its official gazette, Intellectual Property Gazette, on the official web site. The Intellectual Property Gazette is published twice a month (since 2020) and the first half-monthly issue contains only published trademark applications for the purpose of the opposition period which lasts three months from the publication date in the Gazette. The second monthly edition is published at the end of month with published trademark applications, trademark registrations with all other industrial property right information. The Intellectual Property Gazette, in the part referring to trademarks, is prepared by means of computer, using the IPAS system. From the beginning of the 2010, Gazettes can be found on our official web site and since 2012 they are published only in electronic form:
http://www.zis.gov.rs/information-services/intellectual-property-gazette.462.html
Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases
Electronic trademark register contains bibliographic data on applications and registered trademarks and representations of trade marks, as well as the data on changes relating to applications and registered marks (assignments, licenses, pledges).
Trademark e-Register: https://reg.zis.gov.rs/regis/search.htm?lang=en
Examiners use also IPAS, internal database which contains more information available through workflow, MADRID monitor and other international TM databases.
Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) and services available to external users; conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)
Electronic register, and also Alphabetical list of goods and services of the Nice Classification are available to the external users via the official website of the IPO, free of charge.
https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/databases/trademark/
Other TM search services upon request are liable to payment of fees: https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/rights/fees/#information-search-service
Trademark search is also offered by the Office as a commercial service and in 2024, 520 trademark searches as FTO searches for Serbia were delivered to customers.
Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)
Legal status information is available through the Electronic Register of Trademarks, and also in paper register version for the applications submitted before January 1st 2014.
IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRADEMARK INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Information on the following topics is desired:
E-filing system for IP rights is fully functional and is improved on the back-office side with common dispatch module. The general information available on
E-Filing: https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/e-application/
System of the e-filing of documents enables to file the applications of trademarks, patents, petty patents and industrial design electronically. The receiving of documents and filings for the applications in the procedure and for the registered intellectual property rights are supported as well. Software became operational in May 2016, with the continual work on its improvement. In 2024 the share of e-filed trademark applications in national procedure is 71.4%.
Internal database of trademarks is searched through IPAS.
Other matters
General information related to trademarks are posted at the IPO website regularly, data in Trademark e-register are updated daily with data from IPAS.
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION
Information on the following topics is desired:
Office's library (if deals with trademark information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign libraries
At Office's library (public reading room) all interested parties could free of charge access the trademark databases which are internally available for external users. Also, all interested parties are offered free of charge consultations on trademark filling and trademark procedures in person, by phone or by e-mails. In 2024, 2972 consultations to customers were delivered in regard to trademark application procedure and other issues related to trademarks by the employees of the helpdesk - Education and Information Centre. The consultations regarding trademark applications in procedure provided by trademark examiners are not included in that figure.
Publications related to different business procedures and trademark information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
Various publications related to trademarks such as studies, brochures, newsletters and leaflets are available in paper form or in electronic form on the IPO website: https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/electronic-publications/
Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
The Education and information Centre (EIC) of the IPO provides support in the form of a service of disseminating information and education realized through consultations and training, seminars and workshops aiming identification, protection, management and exploitation of the results of research considering that intellectual property is created in research institutions. In a broader context this helps to promote innovation - transformation of ideas into products, processes and technologies benefiting society as a whole.
Stimulating universities and other public research institutions to be more active in protecting and exploiting, the EIC held many seminars for professors, researches and students.
Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
IPO Serbia has a public library where all interested parties can get the personal consultancy for trademark, patent, industrial design filing and procedures. Through Education and Information Center the seminars, information, including trademark system and the other proceedings are delivered to the public. Each month on third Thursday, Open Door event is organized in IPO for customer’s consultations beside the opportunity for consultations every day on regular basis.
Wide scope of education and information services is adjusted to the various target groups including: business companies and institutions that offer support to business, organizations involved in R&D, institutions of high education, institutions for the enforcement of the intellectual property rights and others. The education is performed in the form of lectures, seminars, conferences, consultations on protection, use and management of intellectual property rights. In 2024, 47 seminars were delivered to different stakeholder’s groups with 2927 participants. 24 seminars were delivered to universities and R&D organizations with 1036 participants, 10 events for general public with 1391 participants, 10 events for SMEs with 373 participants 2 events with 97 participants for enforcement institutions and 1 event for 30 inventors. Small and medium enterprises and R&D teams are offered the special service designed in particular for them, Intellectual Property Pre-diagnosis and “1to1” consultations and altogether 11 of such services were delivered. The Office was present at the 6 trade and other fairs with 330 consultations delivered to visitors and exhibitors
E-filing user guide, electronic certificates description and installation manuals, recommendations how to prepare the proper documentation and graphic data format for application – all is accessible through link:
English: https://www.zis.gov.rs/en/e-application/
Serbian (more extensive): https://www.zis.gov.rs/e-prijava/
E-filing system for IP rights was prepared and started in April 2016.
Other activities
Over the year, the Office’s website was visited by 76,000 users, of which 73,000 were unique visitors. A total of 436,000 pages were viewed (5.76 pages per user). Besides the homepage, the most frequently visited pages were those that allow searches of trademark and patent databases, containing information on intellectual property rights, and providing guidelines for application submissions and fees payable in proceedings before the Office. In 2024, 102 news were published on the Office’s website, while more than 120 posts, including news, announcements, and educational content about intellectual property rights, were shared across its social media platforms.
Quality management system according to the standard ISO 9001 which includes patent grant, petty patent grant and trademark grant processes has been implemented at the IPO since 2011and continues to provide constant level of quality of services provided by the Office. In November 2024, another recertification audit was successfully conducted in compliance with ISO9001:2015 standards. User satisfaction is regularly assessed through electronic survey among users, and overall impression for trademark grant procedure among users are: 67.5% very satisfied, 30.2% satisfied and 2.3% not satisfied users
VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF TRADEMARK INFORMATION
Information on the following topics is desired:
The officials of the IPO attended regularly WIPO Committees related to TM and Liaison Meetings on Trademarks in EUIPO in 2024.
VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING TRADEMARK INFORMATION
Note: For each Standard listed below, please enter one of the following values:
- "Implemented";
- "On implementation phase";
- "Planning to implement"; and
- "No plan to implement"
WIPO Standard ST.3: Two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and organizations
Implemented
WIPO Standard ST.13: Numbering of applications for IPRs
No plan to implement
Partly implemented for the purpose of exchange data with other databases
WIPO Standard ST.60: Bibliographic data relating to marks
WIPO Standard ST.61: The exchange of trademark legal status data
Implemented
WIPO Standard ST.63: Content and layout of trademark gazettes
No plan to implement
WIPO Standard ST.66: Processing of trademark information using XML
Implemented
WIPO Standard ST.67: Electronic management of the figurative elements of trademarks
No plan to implement
WIPO Standard ST.68: Electronic management of sound marks
Implemented
WIPO Standard ST.90: Recommendation for processing and communicating Intellectual Property data using Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
No plan to implement
WIPO Standard ST.91: Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images
No plan to implement
WIPO Standard ST.96: Processing of Industrial Property information using XML
No plan to implement
Other WIPO Standards Related to Trademarks
Note: Please list any other WIPO Standards related to trademarks (not mentioned above) that your Office or Organization has implemented, is currently in the process of implementing, or plans to implement in the future. For each Standard, please indicate the implementation status with an option: Implemented, On implementation Phase or Planning to Implement.