Serbia

Firm overview

Zivko Mijatovic & Partners (ZMP) is a full-service IP law firm, established in 1939 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as a general practice law firm. It has grown progressively and today consists of 15 offices in 14 European countries. The overall protection of all IP rights, including prosecution, enforcement and litigation, is provided through the network of ZMP offices covering the Balkan Peninsula and Central and Eastern Europe, with a liaison office in Alicante, Spain, providing legal services in relation to European trademarks and designs and IP legal services in Spain. Over the last 30 years, ZMP’s primary activity has been the protection, via prosecution and litigation, of all IP rights.

The firm has gained reputation for having stellar and efficient services in the region. ZMP is known for being a creative, open and straightforward firm, with a meticulous approach tailored to the client’s needs. ZMP’s constant presence in Central and Eastern Europe means that clients receive immediate and simultaneous service across the region, simply by contacting one of the offices. That is why the service provided by ZMP is unique in the region.

ZMP offers a full range of IP services, providing legal assistance and advice on the protection of IP rights and management and enforcement of the same across Central and Eastern Europe. Services include filing and prosecution of IP rights; searches and watching services; IP portfolio management; dispute resolution; advice and representation in infringement and enforcement matters. ZMP and its attorneys are authorized to represent clients before judicial authorities, IP offices, customs offices and different administrative authorities of the countries in which the firm’s offices are located.

ZMP is particularly active in matters of counterfeiting and piracy. Given that the Western Balkans, due to its geographical location, is a gateway to the EU market and a fertile ground for the production and distribution of counterfeit goods, Rights' holders are advised to consider the measures available across the region and contemplate implementing a strategy that recognizes the root of the problem and provides a long-term solution. Countries of the Western Balkans should be considered as a single region. ZMP is uniquely positioned to provide this service through its network of tightly linked local offices. The firm has therefore introduced a “Customs Package” whereby it handles customs applications, seizures and destruction of all counterfeit products flowing through the countries of former Yugoslavia and Albania (eight jurisdictions in total) through only one point of contact, thus saving costs, avoiding heavy administrative burdens and consolidating customs matters with one agent.

As part of the firm´s business growth strategy, ZMP is more active on social media, dynamic, approachable and always on alert on the virtual space to detect any kind of unfair competition in the market through typo squatting, metatags, spamming and cybersquatting because we focus on our clients and consumer protection. ZMP strives towards corporate responsibility, through sponsorship activities and the number of professionals employed in our offices has increased by a minimum of 10% annually, with constant investment in education.

Network Memberships:
INTA, ECTA, AIPPI, MARQUES, PTMG

Last updated 9th May 2019

Firm overview

MSA IP – Milojevic, Sekulic and Associates is a boutique law firm which specializes in prosecution and litigation of trademarks, patents, designs, as well as in enforcement of Intellectual Property rights. From its head office in Belgrade, MSA IP directs and coordinates the work of its local offices in nine countries in the region, as well as the work of its associated firms in other countries. The firm has initially provided services only in the region of Southeast Europe, however during years it has extended its activities to countries of the CIS and Centra Asia; today, the firm also does clearance and portfolio management work worldwide.

The firm was established in March 2012 by a group of professionals, led by Milan Milojevic and Vuk Sekulic, who have previously worked together in a well-established regional IP firm. The idea behind the establishment of MSA IP was to provide the best service for clients, on one hand by providing a more motivating working environment for smart, talented lawyers and paralegals, and, on the other hand, by being much more proactive and by working alongside clients to better understand their needs and offer the best possible solutions in a complex and constantly changing environment.

During the last decade, MSA IP has grown significantly and today represents one of major players on the regional IP scene. The firm’s many clients include leading international companies from various sectors, including luxury goods, automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, to name just a few. MSA IP has received phenomenal market feedback; it is lauded as “a young and dynamic outfit that does sterling work in intellectual property“ (WTR 1000, 2020). Clients say that MSA IP’s Milan Milojevic is „a highly active and well-respected market figure“ (Chambers Europe 2014) and “a brilliant manager who is great with clients“ (WTR 1000, 2020). Vuk Sekulic is praised by clients as „one of the most reliable lawyers in the region“ (Chambers Europe, 2022) and “a top litigator whose performances in the courtroom are exemplary“ (WTR 1000, 2020). Milos Bogdanovic is recognized as “brilliant, very flexible, smart and extremely competent" (Chambers Europe, 2022). Mirjana Saric is said to “[know] all the levers to pull to prevail in administrative proceedings, having previously served as head of the trademarks department at the Serbian IP Office“ (WTR 1000, 2022).

MSA IP takes pride in its team of attorneys and trademark agents, who possess an in-depth knowledge of local Intellectual Property laws and procedures, and are backed by an experienced team of administrative staff, which enables a quick and expert response to its clients’ needs.

The firm’s expertise encompasses all areas of Intellectual Property law to include:

• Providing opinions on the registrability of trademarks, patents and designs
• Searches
• Filing, prosecution and maintenance
• Assignments and licensing
• Enforcing intellectual property rights through litigation, negotiation and arbitration
• Anti-counterfeiting activities
• Domain name registrations and dispute resolution
• MSA IP and its attorneys are members of numerous international professional organizations, including INTA (www.inta.org), Marques (www.marques.org), PTMG (www.ptmg.org), UNION IP (www.union-ip.org) and IT IP Law Group Europe (www.itlawgroup-europe.eu).

MSA IP is highly ranked by and recommended by Chambers Europe, WTR 1000 and IP STARS, and is the winner of numerous industry awards, including the Client Choice Awards in 2015, 2017 and 2018.