Discover the risks and dangers of failing to register a trademark to understand the value and importance of trademark registration for your brand.
The Risks of Not Registering a Trademark
Croatia Trademark Registration
Protect Your Brand in Croatia Through a Simple Process Backed by Certified Local Attorneys
Simple steps to register your trademark
In Croatia, there are two ways to protect your trademark: register a European Union Trademark, which covers all 27 member states, or register directly with the State Intellectual Property Office.
STEP 1
Comprehensive Trademark Study
Before filing your trademark in Croatia, you must evaluate any issues that may arise during the registration process. Our Comprehensive Trademark Study not only lists similar trademarks (graphic and phonetic) that may conflict with yours but also provides you with an Attorney's opinion on the trademark registration possibilities and the class(es) that your goods/services belong to.
- Graphic and phonetic similarity trademark search report
- Trademark attorney's analysis and advice
- Trademark class recommendation
STEP 2
Trademark Application Filing
Specialized attorneys will file your trademark application in Croatia and carry out all the necessary formalities to bring your application for approval and registration. As soon as your trademark is filed, we will send you a filing report that will include the application number and application date. Also, we will send you a scanned copy of the filed application.
- Process Handled by Experienced Trademark Attorneys
- Filing the Report & a Scanned Copy of the application
- Tracking the Registration Process Online
STEP 3
Trademark Registration Certificate
Once your trademark application is approved, our attorneys complete all the formalities necessary to obtain the registration certificate in Croatia. After the certificate is issued, it is forwarded to your address along with a registration report specifying the registration number, registration date, and any special consideration that should be taken into account in Croatia.
- Process Handled by Experienced Trademark Attorneys
- Delivery of Registration Certificate & Report
- Monitoring & Notification of Important Dates
Additional Services in Croatia
Discover how our services help protect and strengthen your brand in Croatia.
Trademark Search
Check if your trademark is available for registration with our easy-to-use search tool.
Search TrademarkTrademark Renewal
Renew your trademark to maintain uninterrupted protection for your brand.
Renew TrademarkDomain Registration
Safeguard your local domain with ease through our trusted partner, Register.Domains.
Search .HR DomainsFrom our Blog
National vs. International Trademark Registration
Discover how national and international trademark registration compare, the pros and cons of each, and which is right for you.
Commonly Asked Questions About Trademark Registration
Learn answers to some of the most commonly asked questions on trademark registrations to improve your trademark knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign a Power of Attorney document?
Yes, you need to sign a Power of Attorney.
Do I need to use my trademark before applying for registration?
No, you don't need to use your trademark before applying for registration. You can register it based on your intention to use it in the future.
What rights do you gain by having a registered trademark?
Yes. By registering a trademark, you gain the following rights:
- Exclusive rights to use the trademark and earn profits from it
- Ability to oppose later applications that conflict with your trademark
- Right to cancel later registrations that conflict with your trademark
- Right to take legal action against others who infringe on your trademark
- Right to claim damages from those who infringe on your trademark
- Right to request customs authorities to seize counterfeit goods being imported
Can you claim priority for a filing in Croatia?
Yes, you can claim priority in Croatia. You can use the filing date from your home country as the filing date in Croatia if:
- Your home country is part of the Paris Convention
- You filed in your home country within the last 6 months before filing in Croatia
- Your home country is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
- International registration can be based in this jurisdiction
If I register my trademark in Croatia, will it be protected in other countries?
No, registering a trademark in Croatia only provides protection within Croatia itself.
Does the European Union Trademark registration cover Croatia?
Yes, a European Union Trademark is valid in Croatia.
What are the reasons for opposing a Trademark Application?
Trademark applications can be challenged based on:
- Industrial property and registered design rights
- Personal name and likeness rights
- Copyright infringement
- Ownership rights
- Famous mark rights
- Trade name rights
Can a registration be canceled?
Yes, you can cancel a registration for the following reasons:
- There is a conflicting registration due to existing proprietary rights.
- The mark is descriptive.
- The mark is functional.
- The mark is generic.
- The mark includes a geographical indication.
- The mark is immoral or against public policy.
- The mark is not distinctive.
- The mark is misleading, disparaging, or deceptive.
- There is a breach of copyright.
- There are personal name rights involved.
- There are registered design rights involved.
- There is a violation of rights under Article 6bis, Article 6ter, and Article 8 of the Paris Convention.
What advantages are there to using a trademark before officially registering it?
Yes. Using the trademark before filing allows the applicant to:
- Demonstrate the unique characteristics of the mark;
- Address challenges related to lack of distinctiveness.
What rights do I have if I register a trademark in Croatia?
In Croatia, trademark rights are granted on a "first to file" basis, meaning you must register your trademark to obtain legal protection.
Who is eligible to challenge my trademark registration?
Individuals or entities with a previously registered trademark, as well as those who have been granted a license to use such a trademark, have the right to contest your trademark registration.
What is the typical duration for trademark registration approval?
Typically, it takes about 12 months to get a trademark registered, assuming there are no objections or oppositions.
What are the steps involved in the trademark application process in Croatia after filing?
The application process includes the following steps:
What types of trademarks are not eligible for registration?
Applicants cannot register the following types of trademarks:
- Trademarks that go against public order or moral standards
- Trademarks that include flags, symbols, or names of any international organization, country, region, or nation
- Words with a general or broad meaning
- Trademarks that are not distinctive
What actions are necessary to meet the usage requirement for a registered mark?
To meet the use requirement, you need to use the trademark within 5 years of its registration date or from the last time it was used, ensuring there is no gap longer than 5 years between uses. The trademark must be used in Croatia, and the necessary amount of use is evaluated individually for each case.
How long is a registered trademark valid for once it has been approved?
In this area, a registered trademark remains valid for a period of ten years.
What is the duration of the opposition period?
The opposition period is 3 months long, beginning on the date the application is published and ending three months later.
Still have questions?