Guidelines for search and examination

The Guidelines for Patent Search and Examination and Trademark Examination Guidelines were published in 2007 within the CARDS project: Strengthening the System of Intellectual Property Implementation, for the Republic of Croatia with professional assistance of the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The objective of the Guidelines for Patent Search and Examination is to enhance the knowledge of examiners and other beneficiaries of the Croatian patent system concerning search and examination procedures in the field of patents. The Guidelines are of interest to authorised patent attorneys, research institutions and university personnel, Croatian individual inventors and inventor’s associations. Even though the intention of the Guidelines is to explain in particular every detail of fundamental significance for search and examination activities in the field of patents, the consultation with SIPO experts is required in exceptional cases.

The purpose of the Trademark Examination Guidelines is to provide support to trademark examiners and other beneficiaries of intellectual property system in interpreting the Trademark Act and implementing regulations. Each chapter of the Guidelines contains instructions on the proceedings in single procedural phases; however, the Guidelines must not be interpreted in the literal sense of the word. Each case or a trademark application must be considered separately, taking into account all the relevant factors.