ZAGREB - The Croatian IP Office is no longer issuing the official filing certificates for design and trademark applications with effect from May 1, 2008. The official filing certificates included the assigned application number and the filing date.
According to SD PETOSEVIC, the application number and the filing date will still be assigned by the IPO immediately upon receipt of an application. However, an official filing certificate that would normally follow to inform applicants of the application number and the filing date will no longer be issued.
An assigned application number and the filing date will be sent to the applicant upon examiner’s review of the application and will be included in examiner’s first correspondence to the applicant concerning the application.
The IP Office in Croatia noted that regulations did not require issuing a certificate at the time of application and that the practice was time-consuming for its staff.
The IP Office hopes this change in procedure will reduce the time needed to process applications.