Hall Of Fame

Intellectual property in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Maric & Co Law Firm

Maric & Co Law Firm stands out for its strong trade mark and patent litigation practice, regularly representing domestic and multinational clients on issues of copyright infringement before domestic courts. With a multidisciplinary approach, the team is also active in anti-counterfeiting and enforcement. Anisa Tomić, a ‘true expert in the IP field‘, heads the practice. Tomić advises on all areas of IP law, including the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, as well as cross-border IP matters. Associate Arijana Hadžiahmetović-Softić is noted for her expertise in the field of IP litigation.

Practice head(s):

Anisa Tomic

Other key lawyers:

Arijana Hadžiahmetović-Softić

Testimonials

‘They are indeed well organised with the long-lasting practice of recruiting new young practitioners. Anisa Tomić is highly professional and prompt whenever needed. Her practice is undoubtedly one of the best in IP, namely in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is highly recommended to use her knowledge in the IP field.’

‘Maric and Co. Law firm has been at the forefront of Bosnian legal practice for decades, and IP practice is no different. Knowledgeable and proactive team has great overview of not only Bosnia but EU legal developments. Anisa Tomić leads the IP team and is well known not only in Bosnia but also within the whole EU IP community. Anisa is knowledgeable and responsive and a true expert in the IP field.’

‘Maric & Co acts as a gateway to the Balkan region and provides highly versatile IP services that are unmatched in the region in terms of quality of delivery. Their method of operations is simple, effective, agile, and with fast turnaround. Anisa Tomić provides stellar IP legal consultancy. She is able to distill complex legal matters in simple terms that allows the client to make better decisions. She provides prompt yet very insightful feedback.’

‘Maric & Co and its IP practice provide the best collaboration, competitive prices, and optimum quality of services. The partners and associates are well-educated in providing IP services. They have a very good reputation as being a responsible, experienced, and committed firm.’

‘The law firm Maric & Co provides wide expertise in resolving all issues that domestic and international investors encounter when setting up and operating businesses there. The scope of their office allows each of the attorneys to highly specialise in their fields, which ensures delivery of premium advice and seamless service. They seek long-term partnerships with clients with the aim of providing the best and most complete solution to the client’s legal needs.’

‘Their lawyers are well-versed in local regulations and court practices, and are highly professional, specialised in their practice area, that may help their clients. They are one of the few representatives registered as trademark and industrial design agents before the State IP Office. The IP practice group has considerable expertise in all areas of IP. Leader of the IP practice group Anisa Tomic is very professional and her aim is to provide the best and most complete solution to the client’s legal needs.’

‘They are prompt in response, active in the field, and know the IP practice exceptionally which is very important in my field. Anisa Tomić, my main contact, has been quite positive, proactive, and very helpful in our day-to-day work!’

Key clients

Fortenova Group (Agrokor)

Association De Gestion Internationale Collective des Oeuvres Audiovisuelles- AGICOA

Citroen

Automobile Peugeot

Fred Perry (Holdings) Limited

Turlen-turlen Holding SA

Versace (Ganni Versace S.P.A)

Vuiton (Louis Vuitton Maleier SA)

Audemars Oiqvet Holding SA

Asics Corporation

Zegna (Consitex SA)

Wellington (Daniel Wellington)

Alcon Inc

The Polo-lauren Company

Koninklijke Philips N.V

Dr.martens International Trading

Diageo Brands B.V

Puma SE

Rado Uhren A.G (Rado Watch Co. Ltd) (Montres Rado S.A)

Samsung Eletronics Co.ltd

Sas Jean Cassegrain

Bottega Luxury Goods International

Sisco Textiles NV

August Storck KG

Swarovski

Swatch AG (Swatch SA)

Tissot SA (Tissot AG) (Tissot Ltd)

Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kajsha

Biontech SE

Beaute Prestige International

Babyliss S.a.r.l

Volkswagen AG

(Thomas) Limited

Novartis AG

Omega SA

Geneva Laboratories Limited

Opel Automobile Gmbh

Fila Luxembourg S.a.r.l

Salvatore Ferragamo S.P.A

Mattel Inc

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Lvmh Swiss Monufactores

Longines Watch Co.

Levi Strauss & Co

Kia Motors Cu Ltd

Hyndai Mobis Co.ltd

Hunter Boot Ltd

Brown Forman Finland Ltd

Hublot SE Geneve

Jack Daniels

Pandora S/A

Google LLC

YouTube LLC

Apple Inc.

Belje plus d.o.o.

Mliječna industrija 99 d.o.o.

Sanrio Ltd. Japan

AstraZeneca

Teva Pharmaceuticals

Abbvie Inc.

Work highlights

  • Retained as an exclusive outside counsel in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Google and its subsidiary YouTube.
  • Advised Porsche and Audi on the practical and regulatory aspects of the introduction of car connect services.
  • Advised Fortenova Group, a major regional FMCG group, on a trade mark portfolio transfer of rights and recordal of changes and IP pledges in national trade mark registers.

PETOŠEVIĆ

The highly specialised international property practice at PETOŠEVIĆ offers market-leading IP services to clients from a diverse range of industries in Bosnia and abroad. In particular, the firm’s contentious practice is strong, and it is equipped to represent clients in litigation and counterfeiting proceedings. Tarik Prolaz regularly assists in contentious matters concerning domestic and international IP, and leads the team from the Sarajevo office. He is assisted by associate Berina Prolaz, whose practice covers prosecution and enforcement of IP rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Practice head(s):

Tarik Prolaz

Other key lawyers:

Berina Prolaz

Testimonials

‘They are able to meet the needs of foreign/international clients and are used to provide services on a high level.’

‘Tarik Prolaz found suitable ways to achieve the goals of the client. He is a very capable attorney who is very knowledgeable in both domestic and foreign IP matters, which makes it very easy and pleasant to work with him.’

CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz D.O.O. in cooperation with local lawyers

Acting primarily for international companies, the intellectual property practice at CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz D.O.O. in cooperation with local lawyers is noted for its ability to advise across the full spectrum of IP-related matters, including trade mark registration, patent protection procedures, parallel imports, and IP litigation and arbitration. Its client roster includes companies from the pharmaceuticals and consumer goods sectors. NedžIda Salihović-Whalen assists domestic and foreign clients with commercial and regulatory issues. Sanja Voloder specialises in corporate and M&A law with a focus on related IP issues.

Practice head(s):

Sanja Voloder

Other key lawyers:

Nedžida Salihović-Whalen

Key clients

Naspers / MIH Group

Lilly UK

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Company

J FLORIS

Reckitt Benckiser

Kid’s Festival

ŽITO DD

PODRAVKA

HI Nevena

Work highlights

  • Advising PARTNERS IN PET FOOD in respect of new trade marks registrations and protections.
  • Advising Lactalis, a dairy company, on trade mark and industrial design protection in connection with a new dairy product.
  • Advising J FLORIS on a trade mark infringement case.

Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers

From its offices in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, the intellectual property team at Karanovic & Partners in cooperation with local lawyers is well placed to advise clients on national as well as local and regional regulation. Multinational technology and food companies seek out the team out for its cross-border expertise. Nihad Sijerčić leads the team and represents clients in patent prosecution proceedings, while Nihad Odobašić draws on his in-house experience in the telecoms sector to assist telecoms and media-sector clients.

Practice head(s):

Nihad Sijerčić

Other key lawyers:

Nihad Odobašić

Key clients

Telemach

United Media S.à.r.l.

Philip Morris

Henkel

Yum! Restaurants Europe Limited (KFC)

Montessori Origins Foundations

McCain

Instagram

Autodesk

Sky

Work highlights

  • Representing members of United Group (Telemach/United Media) on copyright issues, including legal representation before the relevant courts and other authorities in copyright and IP disputes.
  • Regularly advising Philip Morris in various issues across the SEE region, including on the Bosnian law aspects governing its new products on the market.
  • Advising Henkel on different aspects of IP, as well as representing it in several trade mark protection procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Law Office Mirna Milanovic-Lalic

Based in the firm’s wider business law department, the intellectual property practice at Law Office Mirna Milanovic-Lalic is known for its work for clients in highly regulated sectors, including the pharmaceutical industry. Litigation in particular is a strength of the team; it has a solid track record in representing clients in trade mark infringement claims. ‘Practical and pragmatic‘ founding partner Mirna Milanović – Lalić and the ‘excellentJasmina Suljović jointly head the team. Kenan Derviševic is another key individual.

Practice head(s):

Mirna Milanović-Lalić; Jasmina Suljović

Other key lawyers:

Kenan Derviševic

Testimonials

‘Very capable team, extremely knowledgeable in IP matters and civil procedures. They follow local practice and can suggest innovative and effective solutions in even the most complex cases.’

‘Jasmina Suljovic is very experienced in all fields of IP and related rights (data protection, IT) and easily identifies problems at hand and proposes best solutions to clients, which are easy to understand and makes following the case simpler.’

‘Mirna Milanovic-Lalic is an excellent team leader. She is smart and able to provide solutions for complex legal matters with a practical and pragmatic approach. We also work a lot with Kenan Derviševic, a very pleasant young lawyer with wide expertise in labor law.’

Key clients

Microsoft Corporation

Pliva, member of Teva

Association of Filmmakers

MBA Centar

Telemach (member of United Group)

Bukovnik&Kulbaba IP (on behalf of their EU and UK clients)

Rain International

CEFTA

Work highlights

  • Acted as advisor and representative of Pliva Hrvatska, a member of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, in a trade mark matter.
  • Acted as advisor and representative for Association of Filmmakers in matters involving several disputes against the Institute for Intellectual Property for obtaining the status of collective management association (CMO).
  • Successfully represented family-owned bakery MBA Centar in proceedings before the Institute of the Intellectual Property for the registration of several trade marks related to famous Bosnian cuisine products.

Law Office Miljkovic & Partners

The intellectual property practice at Law Office Miljkovic & Partners receives praise for its 'business and solution-oriented' approach, advising clients on issues of trade mark infringement, registration, and other intellectual property-related disputes before civil courts and national authorities. ‘Pragmatic and proactive‘ IP specialist Amar Bajramović leads the team, advising multinational corporations on all aspects of IP law.

Practice head(s):

Amar Bajramović

Testimonials

‘The team is responsive and available at all times understanding the needs of its clients. The team is also proactive regarding different intellectual property protection procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in finding creative solutions to settle trademark infringements out-of-court to the benefit of the client.’

Amar Bajramovic provided excellent arguments for the relevant parties, which ultimately led to the successful registration of the trademarks.’

‘Law Office Miljkovic & Partners are performing high-level services. They are business and solution-oriented, experienced in various legal practices, and have very good knowledge of the market. They have international experience and standards, which sets them apart from other local firms. On the other hand, the value for money aspect sets them apart from international firms.’

‘In this sector we are collaborating mostly with Amar Bajramovic. His pragmatic and proactive business approach and creativity definitely set him apart from other local lawyers.’

‘Industry knowledge and experience.’

Key clients

dm drogeriemarkt

LC Waikiki Group

Megamix d.o.o.

Ghetaldus Optika d.o.o. Sarajevo

ASA Finance

Symphony Group

Good Game Global d.o.o.

Work highlights

  • Advising dm drogeriemarkt regarding the registration of trade mark UVIJEKPOVOLJNO.
  • Advising Good Game Global regarding the registration of a trade mark.

Law firm SAJIC

Law firm SAJIC advises clients in the media and entertainment, telecoms, electronics and consumer goods industries on intellectual property law, with a particular focus on patent litigation and dispute resolution. The team is jointly headed by founding and managing partner Aleksandar Sajic and Zeljko Vlacic. Vlacic is especially experienced in the procedures of copyright and trade mark protection and advises clients on procedures before Bosnian IP authorities regarding the protection, acquisition and termination of industrial property rights.

Practice head(s):

Aleksandar Sajić; Željko Vlačić

Key clients

The Association of Composers – Musical Creators (Amus)

Samit Energetike d.o.o. Trebinje

Telemax

Aqua System

Support Marketing Centar

Radio Television of Republika Srpska – RTRS

Amigos

Colorit

Gunsan Elektrik Malzemeleri San. Ve Tic A.S.

Work highlights

  • Representing the Association of Music Creators of Bosnia and Herzegovina in over 50 cases related to copyright infringement, and in mediation and arbitration in relation to patent and technology licenses.
  • Advised Radio Television of Republika Srpska on a procedure for the protection of a figurative stamp and a stamp in colour in front of the competent authority.
  • Advised Telemax on a procedure for the protection of an industrial design before the Institute for Intellectual Property.