Montenegro’s first PATLIB centre opened on same day search agreement entered into force

António Campinos, President of the European Patent Office; Valentina Radulović, Executive Director of the Science and Technology Park, Montenegro; Nik Gjeloshaj, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development, Montenegro

Visiting Podgorica yesterday, European Patent Office (EPO) President António Campinos marked two important milestones for Montenegro's innovation landscape: the entry into force of the new working agreement on search co-operation and the opening of the country's first PATLIB centre, where he was joined by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development Nik Gjeloshaj. Both achievements stem from the President's mission to Montenegro and meeting with the Minister last April, and will strengthen Montenegro's capacity to support inventors, researchers and entrepreneurs.

New PATLIB centre supports local innovation and IP

Montenegro’s new patent information centre, IP4Innovation, will be a hub for innovation support where local businesses, researchers and entrepreneurs receive advice on patent searching as well as other IP-related services. Based in the new Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, the centre will stimulate economic growth by helping inventors bring new technologies to market, thus creating jobs and attracting investment.

During his opening remarks, President Campinos praised the Government and the IP Office of Montenegro for their collaboration and for their commitment to establishing the legal and procedural groundwork for a more affordable and accessible patent system. The benefits, he said, will be felt throughout the country’s innovation ecosystem, including by smaller applicants: “Startups and spin-offs that base a business model around protecting their technologies have a higher probability to grow. Patents are security, a commitment to the long term, because you are transforming an idea into an asset."

Agreement on search co-operation brings fee reduction for SMEs, universities and individual inventors

The visit of President Campinos to Podgorica coincided with the entry into force on 1 December of a new working agreement on search co-operation between the European Patent Organisation and the Ministry of Economic Development. This agreement is a significant step in supporting Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem. It is accompanied by financial support for Montenegro’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), universities and individual inventors through an 80% reduction of the search fee for up to 400 search requests. Such co-operation programmes support national offices in providing their applicants with timely high-quality search results and written opinions, enabling them to better assess the prospects for protection at European and international levels.

Strengthening partnership

During his visit, President Campinos met with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Economic Development, Mr Nik Gjeloshaj, accompanied by Ms Jasna Vujović, General Director for Internal Market and Competition, and Mr Nebojša Mugoša, Head of Department for Legislation and International Cooperation in IP. He also met Ms Valentina Radulović, Executive Director of the Science and Technology Park, and Ms Srna Sudar, Director of the Technology Transfer Office.

Their discussions highlighted Montenegro’s rapid progress in strengthening its patent system since joining the European Patent Organisation in October 2022, including the conclusion of a Bilateral Co-operation Agreement with the EPO under SP2028 in April 2025, the ratification of the London Agreement in August 2025, and now the entry into force of the search agreement. Their meeting focused on the strategic importance of the new PATLIB Centre as a one-stop shop for accelerating innovation, as well as on future priorities such as strengthening institutional capacities through the Young Professionals Programme and EPO’s expertise, and expanding the EPO Academy’s initiatives for children and young people. Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening co-operation, supporting Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem, and integrating IP4Innovation into the European network of over 330 PATLIB centres.