European Patents - Applicability of Co-operation and Extension Agreement in Montenegro

On May 23, 2007, the European Patent Office issued a notice concerning the Co-operation and Extension Agreement with the former State Union of Serbia and Montenegro that ceased to exist on June 3, 2006.

“Serbia is the legal successor to the former Union of Serbia and Montenegro as regards the Co-operation and Extension Agreement. As of 4 June 2006 the Co-operation and Extension Agreement no longer applies to the territory of Montenegro.

European patent applications and PCT applications filed after 3 June 2006 and entering the European phase, and European patents resulting from such applications, can be extended to the territory of Serbia only.

The protection conferred by pending European patent applications and PCT applications filed up to 3 June 2006 and entering the European phase, and by European patents resulting from such applications, can be extended to the territory of Serbia.

The European Patent Office, in co-operation with the Serbian and Montenegrin authorities, will attempt to clarify whether the protection resulting from such applications and patents can also be extended to the territory of Montenegro.”

For more information, please contact Loic Dufour.