EC: Bosnia Making Progress in IP Area

Last month the European Commission (EC) issued a report on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress in the process of European integration. According to the report, some progress has been made over the last year in the intellectual property area.

Following the adoption of new IP laws, implementing regulations have also been adopted. Bosnian IPO’s capacity has been strengthened and the IPO has continued to raise awareness of the importance of IP rights.

The Vienna Agreement establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks and the Patent Law Treaty entered into force. The International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) has yet to be implemented.

Some progress has been made in the area of enforcement. Five decrees that aim to regulate the implementation procedure for customs measures intended for the protection of IP rights have entered into force. Over the last year, the Customs Sector of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia seized counterfeit goods worth approximately EUR 20,000 (USD 26,000). In 12 out of 18 cases the goods were destroyed and six lawsuits were filed.

In March 2012, the Bosnian authorities launched a campaign to increase market inspection with an aim to discover and confiscate illegal software and educate the public about the importance of IP protection. As a result, more than 1,000 companies have started using licensed software. However, high rates of counterfeiting and piracy still persist across the country, so further efforts are still required in this area.

A reliable system for collecting, analyzing and exchanging data among various institutions involved in IP protection needs to be developed. Enforcement and coordination between all stakeholders remain to be improved.

Prepared by: Alma Vilic

For more information, please contact bosnia@petosevic.com.

Source: Bosnia and Herzegovina 2012 progress report