Trademarks in North Macedonia

Competent Authority & System

Official Authority: State Office of Industrial Property / Државен завод за индустриска сопственост (SOIP / DZIS).

Official Language: Macedonian.

System: National IP system based on the Law on Industrial Property. North Macedonia is an EU candidate country, but European Union Trademarks (EUTM) do not cover or extend to North Macedonia.

International Treaties

Madrid System: Member of both the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol (since September 8, 1991). North Macedonia can be designated in international applications via WIPO.

Paris Convention: Member state; convention priority can be claimed within 6 months from the initial filing date.

Applicant & Representation Requirements

Entitlement: Both natural persons and legal entities (domestic or foreign) are eligible to apply.

Representation for Foreign Applicants: Foreign natural persons or legal entities without a domicile or real place of business in North Macedonia must be represented by an authorized representative registered with SOIP.

Power of Attorney (POA): Required when represented. A simple signed Power of Attorney is accepted; notarization or Legalization/Apostille is not required. The original POA must be filed with SOIP alongside the application or within 60 days from filing.

Online Services & Database

E-Filing: Application submissions and administrative filings are handled directly or electronically via registered local representatives through SOIP portal systems.

Free Trademark Search Database: Public register tools are accessible via the official SOIP portal, as well as the WIPO Global Brand Database and WIPO Madrid Monitor.

Registrable Mark Types

Types: Words, letters, numbers, figurative elements, logos, 3D shapes/packaging, color combinations, sounds, and other signs capable of distinguishing goods or services.

Foreign Characters & Translation: Applications containing non-Cyrillic scripts or foreign wording must include a transliteration into the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet and a translation into Macedonian.

Classification Framework

Nice Classification: Uses the active edition of the Nice Classification.

Multi-class Filings: Permitted under a single application.

Base Class Inclusion: The basic official filing fee structure covers up to 3 classes.

Class Headings: Accepted, provided the goods and services are clear and specified.

Examination Process

Examination Scope:

Formal & Absolute Grounds: Examined ex officio by SOIP (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, genericness, public policy, deceptive signs).

Relative Grounds: Examined ex officio by SOIP examiners alongside third-party publication opposition proceedings.

Office Action Deadlines: Response to formal deficiency notices or provisional refusal notices is typically required within 60 days (2 months) from official notification.

Publication & Opposition

Opposition Window: 3 months starting from the publication date of the application in the official IP Gazette (Služben vesnik / Индустриска сопственост).

Standing: Owners of earlier registered national trademarks, international registrations designating North Macedonia, pending applications with earlier priority, or well-known marks under Article 6bis of the Paris Convention.

Timeline & Expedited Examination

Average Timeframe: Approximately 6 to 12 months from filing to registration in smooth cases without office objections or third-party oppositions.

Expedited Examination: Fast-track examination can be requested under specific statutory conditions upon payment of an official urgency fee.

Official Fees

Official statutory fees at SOIP are set in Macedonian Denar (MKD):

Base Filing Fee (Up to 3 Classes): MKD 600 (~€10).

Additional Class Filing Fee: MKD 100 (~€2) per class exceeding the 3rd.

Official Publication Fee (Up to 3 Classes): MKD 750 (~€13).

Publication Additional Class Fee: MKD 180 (~€3) per class exceeding the 3rd.

Registration & Maintenance Grant Fee (10 Years - Up to 3 Classes): MKD 4,760 (~€80).

Grant Fee Additional Class: MKD 1,180 (~€20) per class exceeding the 3rd.

Duration & Renewal

Validity Period: 10 years calculated from the filing date.

Renewal Duration: Renewable indefinitely for consecutive 10-year terms. Renewal applications can be filed within 12 months prior to expiration.

Grace Period: A 9-month grace period post-expiration is allowed for late renewal, subject to an official late payment surcharge.

Use Requirements & Priority System

Priority System: First-to-file system.

Non-Use Cancellation: A registered trademark becomes subject to revocation on non-use grounds if it is not put to genuine commercial use in North Macedonia for a continuous period of 5 years post-registration.

Declaration of Use: No periodic maintenance declarations or affidavits of use are required during routine renewals.

Post-Registration Transactions

Recordals: Rights assignments, licensing agreements, pledges, and changes of corporate details (name/address) must be officially registered with SOIP to be legally binding against third parties.

Legal Remedies & Enforcement

Cancellation & Invalidity: Non-use revocation actions and absolute/relative invalidity claims are examined administratively by SOIP or brought before competent civil courts in Skopje.

Customs Enforcement: Brand owners can file applications for customs border surveillance with the Customs Administration of the Republic of North Macedonia (Царинска управа) to detain counterfeit goods at the border.

Country-Specific Risks & Practical Insights

Two-Stage Official Fee System: Official statutory fees are split into filing/publication fees upfront and a separate grant fee (MKD 4,760 for 3 classes) payable upon allowance.

Extended Grace Period: North Macedonia offers a 9-month grace period for late renewals (longer than the standard 6-month European average).

Cost Advantage for Multi-Class Protection: The 3-class base structure offers extremely low per-class official costs, making national multi-class protection exceptionally economical.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. To receive personalized and in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation.