WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide BA - Bosnia & Herzegovina
Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Applicable as from 23 May 2024
(published on 1 October 2024)

Summary of latest changes in this version
GENERAL INFO: Payment methods
RO: Electronic filing, Incorporation by reference
Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: National phase, Restoration of the right of priority, Reinstatement of rights

Consult the full list of the changes

Previous version(s): You can consult previous versions of the document. The only applicable version is the current version.
15 Sep 2023, 1 Jan 2024, Current Version

Useful information

The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
List of abbreviations used in this document:
Office: Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina
IPL: Bosnian Patent Law
APL: Bosnian Law on Administrative Procedures
List of currencies used in this document:
BAM (Convertible mark), EUR (Euro)
Countries and Offices information:
The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
Office profile
For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
Refer to the full list.
Office Closed dates
The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

International Phase

Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

Contracting State:
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Two-letter code:
BA
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Name of Office:
Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Location:
Mostar (Head Office):
Kneza Domagoja bb
88000 Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Banja Luka Office:
Akademika Jovana Surutke 13/III
78000 Banja Luka
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo Office:
Bulevar Meše Selimovića 95
Lamela C
3 sprat
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mailing address:
Same as above
Telephone:
Mostar:
(387-36) 33 43 81
Banja Luka:
(387-51) 22 68 40
Sarajevo:
(387-33) 65 27 65
E-mail:
info@ipr.gov.ba
Website:
Facsimile:
Mostar:
(387-36) 31 84 20
Banja Luka:
(387-51) 22 68 41
Sarajevo:
(387-33) 65 27 57
Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
Yes, by e-mail or facsimile
Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
All kinds of documents
Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
Yes, within 15 days from the date of the transmission
Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
Yes, provided that the delivery service is a recognized delivery service
Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
No
Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
BA
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina
, 
IB
International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - International Bureau of WIPO
Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
Refer to the Office
Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
National protection: BA
Extension of European patent: EP
Types of protection available via the PCT:
National:
Consensual patents, 
Patents
European:
Extended European patents
Payment methods accepted by the Office:
Fees payable in EUR:
Intermediary bank/Correspondent bank
SWIFT/BIC: DEUTDEFF
Name: Deutsche Bank AG
City, Country: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Account with institution/Beneficiary's bank
SWIFT/BIC: CBBSBA22
Account number: 100935962100
Name: Centralna Banka Bosne I Hercegovine
Address: Maršala Tita 25
City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Beneficiary
IBAN: BA39 000 003 0000000145
Account reference: 06411
Name: Ministarstvo Financija I Trezora BIH
Address: TRG BIH 1
City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fees payable in USD through FRNYUS33:
Intermediary bank/Correspondent bank
SWIFT/BIC: FRNYUS33
Name: Federal Reserve Bank of New York
City, Country: New York, United States of America
Account with institution/Beneficiary's bank
SWIFT/BIC: CBBSBA22
Account number: 021081710
Name: Centralna Banka Bosne I Hercegovine
Address: Maršala Tita 25
City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Beneficiary
IBAN: BA390000030000000145
Reference number: 06411
Name: Ministarstvo Financija I Trezora BIH
Address: TRG BIH 1
City, Country: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
None
Provisional protection after international publication:
None
Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
For national protection
Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
Must be in the request. If the data concerning the inventor are missing at the expiration of the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
Yes, refer to Annex L.
For extension of a European patent

Annex C - Receiving Office

Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Language in which international applications may be filed:
English
Language in which the request may be filed:
English
Number of copies required by the receiving Office if application filed on paper:
1
Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
Yes
Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
Yes
Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests
Competent International Searching Authority:
EP
European Patent Organisation - European Patent Office (EPO)
Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
EP
European Patent Organisation - European Patent Office (EPO)
Fees payable to the RO:
Transmittal fee:
50 BAM
International filing fee:
This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
1,381 EUR
Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
16 EUR
Search fee:
Refer to
Annex D(EP)
Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
40 BAM
Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
No, if the applicant resides in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yes, if the applicant is a non-resident
Who can act as agent?
Any person registered to practice before the Office
Waiver of power of attorney:
Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
Refer to the Office
Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
Refer to the Office

Annex L - Deposits of Microorganisms and Other Biological Material

Requirements of designated and elected Offices
Only Offices whose applicable national law contains provisions concerning the deposits of microorganisms and other biological material are listed in Annex L. Unless otherwise indicated, deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before these Offices with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
For a list of these institutions refer to:
http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/pdf/idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/section_d/subsection_c.html)
Notifications related thereto may be consulted under:
http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/
Further information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:
http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/index.html
Time (if any) earlier than 16 months from priority date by which applicant must furnish:
— the indications prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii):
At the time of filing, either in the description or separately
— any additional indications:
At the time of filing, either in the description or separately
Additional indications (if any) which must be given besides those prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii) pursuant to notifications from the Office:
To the extent available to the applicant, relevant information on the characteristics of the microorganism
Additional information
Deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (these institutions are indicated further in this Annex and notifications related thereto may be consulted under https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/).

National Phase

Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

If grant of a national patent by the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina is desired:
Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
Under PCT Article 22(3): 34 months from the priority date
Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 34 months from the priority date
Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care” criterion.
Fee for reinstatement
300 BAM
Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
Bosnian, 
Croatian, 
Serbian
Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstract
Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
Yes
Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
No. Lines must be uniformly thick, black, clearly visible and indelible, and the surfaces between the lines must not be colored or tinted.
National fees:
Filing and publication fee
260 BAM
— for each page of the application over 30
plus 3 BAM
— for each claim over 10
plus 11 BAM
Publication fee for granted patent
60 BAM
Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
The filing fee is reduced by 50% where the applicant is also the inventor
Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Who can act as agent?
Any person registered to practice before the Office
Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
Yes
Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests
If extension of a European patent is desired: Refer to Annex B(EP) and National Chapters EP and BA (only for BA)

The procedure in the national Phase

BA.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs 6.002 and 6.003).
BA.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex BA.I.
BA.03 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
PCT Art. 28, PCT Art. 41
The applicant may amend or correct the international application up to the grant of a patent, provided that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby.
BA.04 MAINTENANCE FEES
After a patent has been granted, maintenance fees must be paid for maintaining the patent in force. The first maintenance fee is payable for the third year following the international filing date. Payment of the maintenance fees for subsequent years must be made before the anniversary of the international filing date. If payment is not made within this time limit, the Office will invite the applicant to pay the maintenance fee, together with a 50% surcharge, within six months after the due date. The amounts of the maintenance fees are indicated in Annex BA.I.
BA.05 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
PCT Art. 24(2), PCT Art. 48(2), PCT Rule 82bis
Reference is made to paragraphs 6.022 to 6.027 of the National Phase. Where, during the international phase or before the Office, the applicant has missed a time limit for performing any act in relation to the international application, such time limit may be extended by the Office. The procedure for excusing a delay is available to: (1) parties which have been delayed in performing certain actions due to justifiable reasons; (2) parties which have failed to submit the application in time because it was submitted to an unauthorized authority due to lack of awareness or obvious mistake; and (3) parties which have missed prescribed deadlines due to lack of awareness or obvious mistake but submit the application or relevant papers to the competent authority within three days after the deadline and where delay would mean that the party would lose rights.
BA.06
The request for excusing a delay shall explain the circumstances which caused the delay and include the paper(s) sought to be submitted late. The request for excusing a delay must be submitted within eight days from the day on which the circumstances which caused the delay ceased to exist, or, where the party learned about its cessation only later, from the day the party learned of it. Requests for excusing a delay are acceptable only up to three months from the day when the delayed paper or action was due.
BA.07 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
PCT Art. 25, PCT Rule 51
The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs 6.018 to 6.021 of the National Phase. In the case of a negative decision of the Office during the national phase (including in case of a request for review under Article 25), an appeal may be submitted to the Board of Appeal of the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina within one month from the date of receipt of the decision.

Annexes

Annex BA.I - Fees
Filing and publication fee
260 BAM
Publication fee for granted patent
60 BAM
Maintenance fees:
— for the 3rd year, counted from the international filing date
90 BAM
— for the 4th year, counted from the international filing date
110 BAM
— for the 5th year, counted from the international filing date
130 BAM
— for the 6th year, counted from the international filing date
190 BAM
— for the 7th year, counted from the international filing date
250 BAM
— for the 8th year, counted from the international filing date
310 BAM
— for the 9th year, counted from the international filing date
370 BAM
— for the 10th year, counted from the international filing date.
480 BAM
— for the 11th year, counted from the international filing date.
600 BAM
— for the 12th year, counted from the international filing date.
720 BAM
— for the 13th year, counted from the international filing date.
940 BAM
— for the 14th year, counted from the international filing date.
1,060 BAM
— for the 15th year, counted from the international filing date.
1,180 BAM
— for the 16th year, counted from the international filing date.
1,400 BAM
— for the 17th year, counted from the international filing date.
1,620 BAM
— for the 18th year, counted from the international filing date.
1,840 BAM
— for the 19th year, counted from the international filing date.
2,060 BAM
— for the 20th year, counted from the international filing date.
2,280 BAM
How can payment of fees be effected?
All fees must be paid to the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina via a registered patent agent
Exceptionally, foreign natural persons and legal entities may make the payment directly without a representative if the payment is made in the local currency (BAM). Foreign natural persons and legal entities shall submit to the Office the address for correspondence which must be in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that case, upon request, the Office will issue an invoice with all the necessary information for payment
Forms
Please refer to the Office.
Current version applicable from 23 May 2024 , printed on 21 Nov 2024
2.0 #63 - 2024-11-04T12:26:35.870+01:00