MOSTAR, December 29, 2014 – Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on the 22nd of December this year.

Signing of this Memorandum creates stronger partnership between these institutions, enables exchange of experiences in the management of intellectual property rights, and in particular provides assistance to the Institute for Intellectual Property in strengthening the system and providing quality services in the domain of trademarks and industrial design. In addition, conclusion of this Memorandum establishes mechanisms for exercising mutual cooperation that both sides should deem as priority.

The Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier had cooperation with OHIM on an informal basis, mostly through different forms of education such as seminars, trainings and similar events.

Memorandum of understanding is a standard document that OHIM signs with countries outside of the European Union. During 2013, OHIM signed memorandums with Mexico, Norway, Turkey, Morocco, Russia, USA, and in 2014 with South Korea, Iceland, Switzerland, Montenegro and Tunisia. Signing of the Memorandum with Macedonia and China is in the proceedings.

Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) is European Union's agency headquartered in the Spanish city of Alicante, in charge of conducting Community Trademark and Community Design registration procedures.