Overview
IP protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a unified trademark registration system administered at the state level by the Institute for Intellectual Property of BiH (IIP BiH). Trademark rights are acquired through registration with the Institute. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member of the Madrid Protocol and the Paris Convention.
The country has a two-entity administrative structure - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and the Brčko District - which is relevant for market-level enforcement, where inspectorates operate separately by entity. Trademark registration itself is handled at state level through a single office.
Foreign applicants must appoint a local representative registered with the IIP BiH for all proceedings before the Institute.
IP Office
Institut za intelektualnu svojinu Bosne i Hercegovine (IIP BiH)
Madrid Protocol
Yes
Opposition period
3 months from publication
Trademark validity
10 years, renewable
Local rep. required
Mandatory for foreign applicants
IP Office
The IP Office.
| Full name | Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina Institut za intelektualnu svojinu Bosne i Hercegovine (IIP BiH) |
| Website | ipr.gov.ba |
| Legal basis | Law on Trademarks, Official Gazette BiH, No. 53/10 |
| Madrid Protocol | Yes |
| Paris Convention | Yes |
| Nice Agreement | Yes - all 45 classes |
| WIPO member | Yes |
| Local representative | Mandatory for foreign applicants - IIP BiH registered representative |
Registration
Trademark registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Applications are filed with the IIP BiH in Mostar. Bosnia and Herzegovina follows the first-to-file principle. The application must include a representation of the mark and a list of goods and services in one of the official languages of BiH.
Filing language
Bosnian, Croatian or Serbian
Priority claim
6 months
Certified copy required within 3 months of filing in BiH, with certified translation
Opposition period
3 months from publication
Can not be extended. No supplementary submissions after expiry
Registration timeline
12–18 months
For uncontested applications
POA requirement
Simple signature
No notarisation or legalisation required
Non-use cancellation
After 5 years of continuous non-use
Classification
Nice Classification, all 45 classes
Madrid Protocol
Available
BiH can be designated in international applications
Response to opposition
60 days
Can not be extended under any circumstances
Trademark validity
10 years from filing date
Renewable indefinitely
Renewal
From 6 months before expiry
Grace period: 6 months after expiry
Oppositions
Oppositions & cancellations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a functioning opposition system. Third parties may file an opposition within 3 months of publication. This deadline cannot be extended under any circumstances - no supplementary submissions are permitted after its expiry.
The applicant has 60 days to respond to the opposition. This deadline also cannot be extended. If the applicant does not respond, the application is refused within the scope of the opposition.
Non-use cancellation is available after 5 years of continuous non-use. The burden of proof lies entirely with the trademark holder. Unlike some other jurisdictions in the region, the petitioner does not need to demonstrate a legitimate interest to file the request.
Appeals against Institute decisions go to the IIP Appeal Commission within 15 days, and subsequently to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina within 30 days.
Enforcement
Trademark enforcement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Enforcement in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires awareness of the country's two-entity structure. Border measures operate at state level; market enforcement is handled separately by each entity.
Civil proceedings
Competent Courts
Trademark owners can seek injunctions, removal of infringing goods from circulation, damages and publication of judgment. Statute of limitations: 3 years from knowledge of the infringement, no later than 5 years from first infringement.
Border measures
Indirect Taxation Authority (UIO BiH)
operating at state level across all border crossings. Rights holders can file a customs recordal request for up to 2 years, renewable.
Market Inspectorate
Market Inspectorate
Enforcement is handled separately by inspectorates in the Federation of BiH, Republika Srpska and the Brčko District. Rights holders must file with the relevant entity-level inspectorate depending on where the infringement occurs.
Criminal / misdemeanor proceedings
Available for wilful infringement
Fines range from 5,000 to 200,000 KM for legal entities and 3,000 to 10,000 KM for individuals.
Local counsel
Local counsel
Foreign applicants cannot act directly before the IIP BiH. Local representation is mandatory for all proceedings.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's two-entity structure adds complexity to enforcement — understanding which inspectorate has jurisdiction and how to coordinate action across entities requires specific local knowledge.
IP Adria handles trademark prosecution, opposition, cancellation and enforcement in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of its regional practice. For matters spanning BiH and other Balkan jurisdictions, we coordinate all actions from a single point of contact.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
How long does it take to register a trademark in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Approximately 12–18 months for uncontested applications, from filing to registration.
What happens if I miss the deadline to respond to an opposition in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The application is automatically refused within the scope of the opposition. The 60-day response deadline cannot be extended under any circumstances, and no supplementary submissions are permitted after its expiry.
Do I need to demonstrate a legitimate interest to cancel a trademark for non-use in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
No. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not require the petitioner to demonstrate a legitimate interest to file a non-use cancellation request. The burden of proof lies entirely with the trademark holder.
Other jurisdictions
Also covered.
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