PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Croatia

Croatia has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since October 08, 1991, and became a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on July 01, 1998. Additionally, Croatia is a signatory to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures, as well as the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). Croatia is also a member of the European Patent Organization (EPO).

The time frame to enter the Croatian national phase of a PCT application is a generous 31 months from the priority date.

The official language for a Croatian patent application is Croatian. While the application can initially be filed in any foreign language, a Croatian translation must be provided within two months of entering the Croatian national phase.

In Croatia, the 31-month due date for national phase entry may be restored within 12 months from its expiration.

• Power of Attorney - The POA must be submitted within 60 days of receiving the official invitation from the Croatian IP Office. The legalization of the Power of Attorney is not required.

The filing fee, examination fee, publication fee, and maintenance fees are reduced by 50% if the applicant is also the inventor.

After the formal examination is completed, the applicant is invited to request a state of the art search. Upon the applicant's request, the Patent Office may also prepare a written opinion on patentability along with the search report. Once the search report is finalized, it is published alongside the patent application. The request for substantive examination must be submitted within 6 months of the publication.

• Bilateral PPH
  The Republic of Croatia has signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Czech Republic, which includes substantive elements of a PPH Agreement.
• Unilateral Use of Work Products from Foreign Applications and Grants
  Croatian patent examiners at the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) utilize search and examination reports, as well as other relevant information from the European Patent Register, when applicable, to assist in the examination of corresponding national applications.
• Bilateral Cooperation
  Croatia has entered into agreements to conduct search and substantive examination with the following organizations:
  • Agreement between the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia and the Austrian Patent Office (1995, 2005)
  • Agreement between the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (2005)

In Croatia, renewal fees are to be paid annually for the third and every subsequent year, counting from the filing date of an application. Late payments are allowed within a 6-month grace period, provided that an additional surcharge is paid.

A patent in Croatia is valid for 20 years from the application filing date. This duration can be extended for patents concerning medicinal or plant protection products. In Croatia, a Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) provides an extended patent protection period for the holder of a patent on a medicinal or plant protection product. This extension allows the patent rights to be extended for up to five years beyond the original patent expiration date, mainly to compensate for the time spent obtaining marketing authorization due to lengthy clinical trials. As an EU member state, Croatia follows the same European regulations governing SPCs.

Croatia impressively ranks 43rd out of 133 economies in the highly anticipated GII 2024, showcasing its growing innovation prowess on the global stage. Among the 51 high-income economies, Croatia stands strong at 37th, demonstrating its competitive edge within the wealthiest nations. Within Europe, Croatia shines brightly at 27th, outperforming many other economies across the continent. This year, Croatia has made notable strides in innovation inputs, ranking 42nd an impressive improvement over last year’s position. Additionally, Croatia’s innovation outputs have also soared, ranking 40th, marking another significant leap compared to the previous year.

Croatia has a rich history, having been part of the Roman Empire, later forming its own kingdom in 925 AD, and eventually becoming part of Yugoslavia before gaining independence in 1991. The country boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Dubrovnik, Split’s Diocletian’s Palace, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park. It’s famous for its Mediterranean cuisine, vibrant coastal towns, and as a filming location for "Game of Thrones." Football is the most popular sport, with the national team reaching the FIFA World Cup final in 2018. Interestingly, the necktie originated from Croatian soldiers in the 17th century, adding a unique cultural touch to its legacy.