Getting on for five years since Class 99 last reported on Kosovo, we have news of another new industrial design law for the country, which came into force on 15 January 2016. According to information received:

The law has been harmonized with the Directive 98/71 on the legal protection of designs and Directive 2004/48 on the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Under the new law, the renewal request should be submitted within the 12-month period prior to the expiration of design right. The former law did not specify the exact time frame.

As the previous law, the new law also excludes the possibility for a legal person to be considered as the designer; the designer can only be a natural person.

The new law introduces compensation for damages as a legal remedy, under the general rules relating to unjust enrichment.

Under the new law, industrial designs are also protected under copyright law. The former law did not include any provisions on the relationship of designs and other IP rights.

Source: Petosevic News & Resources, from which further information can be obtained here.