Over a Century of Intellectual Property in Serbia

On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Intellectual Property Office in Belgrade, a ceremonial conference titled “Celebrating Innovators, Creators, and Users of the Intellectual Property System” was held, highlighting the close and productive cooperation between Serbia and the European Union in building a modern economy driven by knowledge and innovation.

The conference featured panels on innovation and the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) awards were presented to the winners of national competitions.

“A strong intellectual property system is at the heart of economic growth—from attracting investment and supporting the green and digital transition to creating new jobs and enhancing competitiveness. To date, the European Union has invested €90 million in Serbia’s innovation sector and will continue to be Serbia’s largest partner on the path to full EU membership,” said Andreas von Beckerath, EU Ambassador to Serbia, during his congratulatory address.

Vladimir Marić, Director of the Intellectual Property Office, emphasized that all procedures are now fully digital, with 80% of applications submitted electronically, and that the Office operates in a fully renovated building thanks to the support of the Serbian government and the EU. He also highlighted the crucial role of cooperation with WIPO, the European Patent Office (EPO), and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarović noted that Serbia has placed special emphasis on nurturing creative industries in recent years. With the support of international partners, the country has adopted new legislation on patents, trademarks, designs, and trade secret protection.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises often underestimate the value of their intellectual property,” she said.

Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation Bela Balint described the Intellectual Property Office as an investment in Serbia’s future as an innovative technology-driven nation.

In addition to Serbian officials, remarks were delivered by Antonio Campinos (EPO), Hasan Kleib (WIPO), Sandris Laganovskis (EUIPO), Swiss Ambassador En Luçon-Moulin, and, via video message, Shen Changyu (CNIPA). Panels on innovation and the enforcement of intellectual property rights followed, along with the presentation of WIPO awards to Serbia’s top innovators.

A full list of award recipients is available HERE.

In celebration of the milestone, a national campaign titled “Creative. Protected. Yours.” was launched with financial support from the European Union through the project “EU for the Development of Serbia’s Internal Market”. The initiative aims to raise awareness among citizens and businesses about the importance of protecting ideas and inventions.

The 105-year history of the Intellectual Property Office demonstrates that, with strong EU support, Serbia is actively building a future in which knowledge and creativity are its most valuable resources.

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