PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO - Almost two years after formally announcing its independence from Serbia, Montenegro opened its Intellectual Property Office (IPO) on May 28, 2008.

According to SD PETOSEVIC, Serbian registrations granted before May 28, 2008, are automatically valid in Montenegro, without having to file a request for re-registration, until the trademark is due for renewal.

Intellectual Property right holders are advised to request a Certificate of Registration from the IPO in Montenegro, as a proof of their rights in this new jurisdiction.

Pending applications in Serbia must be re-filed in Montenegro within six months of May 28, 2008; i.e., by November 28, 2008, in order to maintain the original filing date.

The official fees of the IPO have been published and the application forms prepared. The forms have been reviewed and found that they are identical to the Serbian application forms, amended for the Montenegrin dialect.

Both the fees and the forms are expected shortly on the website of the Ministry for Economic Development at www.minekon.vlada.cg.yu. The IPO website is yet to be launched.