Matters for brand owners to consider when Croatia joins the EU in July 2013
Brand owners need to consider a number of matters relating to current and future IP rights. Existing CTMs and RCDs filed before July 1, 2013 Registrations and applications filed before or claiming priority before July 1, 2013 will be extended to Croatia (so called “extended CTM or RCD”). The holder does not have to take any action, it will be automatically extended on July 1 and will have equal effect in Croatia. As of July 2013, Croatian will become a recognized CTM language but extended CTMs and RCDs will not be translated into or published in Croatian. Extended CTMs and RCDs