The Ministry of European Affairs and the Science and Technology Park organized a panel and workshop titled “IMAGINE. CREATE. PROTECT: Perspectives and Challenges in the Field of Intellectual Property” in anticipation of World Intellectual Property Day, which is celebrated tomorrow – April 26. The event gathered representatives of the negotiating structure, government, economy, academia, private sector, and start-ups, who discussed current issues in this field and Chapter 7: Intellectual Property Law, which Montenegro provisionally closed at the end of last year.
The event was opened by Valentina Radulović, Director of the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, and Jasna Vujović, Director General of the Directorate for Internal Market and Competition at the Ministry of Economic Development. In their opening remarks, they emphasized that successful societal development is based on knowledge, innovation, and the protection of intellectual potential.
“In a time when competitiveness is measured by the ability to generate and apply knowledge, intellectual property becomes one of the most significant resources. Our goal is not only to support innovators but also to shape the innovation ecosystem by promoting a culture of idea protection,” said Radulović, highlighting the role of the Science and Technology Park as a bridge between academia, business, and policymakers.
Vujović noted that Montenegro has a long tradition in the field of intellectual property and that through alignment with European law and the formation of a Coordination Team for the Implementation of Intellectual Property Rights, a stable legal framework has been created for protecting creative and innovative potential.
“The commitment of institutions to the development and further improvement of the intellectual property rights protection system in Montenegro has been clearly recognized by the European Commission. This is one of the most advanced negotiation chapters in Montenegro’s EU accession process, as evidenced by the fact that Chapter 7 – Intellectual Property Law was provisionally closed in December 2024,” Vujović concluded.
Panelists confirmed the significance of intellectual property as a key driver of creativity, innovation, and economic development, stressing that Montenegro has a good institutional and legislative framework in this area but that considerable practical challenges remain.
“The institutional framework in Montenegro is stable and aligned with European legislation, as confirmed by the provisional closure of Chapter 7 – Intellectual Property Law. What is crucial now is to invest further efforts in education and raising awareness about the importance of intellectual property, starting from the earliest levels of education,” said Dr. Mladen Perazić, Director of the Education Sector at the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro. He pointed out the need for lawyers and companies to better understand the obligations and benefits of intellectual property protection, especially when entering the EU market.
Panelists agreed that it is necessary to improve education on intellectual property, explain what it encompasses and how it is protected, and bring these topics closer not only to lawyers but also to artists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
“Everyone knows what to do when their car is stolen, but not when someone steals their idea. That’s exactly why we need to strengthen the education system and empower citizens to know their rights,” said Dragana Ranitović, Head of the Intellectual Property Directorate at the Ministry of Economic Development.
Dr. Balša Kašćelan, Assistant Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Montenegro, emphasized that the internet has made it possible to communicate in real time across the globe, but at the same time made intellectual property theft easier and more accessible than ever.
“Today, it is not enough to simply create – every invention, every idea must be legally protected. When the legal system fails to provide protection for creators, we face serious problems. Our legislation is aligned with the EU’s legal framework, thanks to the accession process, but the responsibility still lies with rights holders to use the available protection mechanisms. Globally known films, music works, and brands would not have achieved their material value without clear and efficient protection. In the end, consumers are also safer when buying products with a protected quality trademark – that trust comes from legal certainty,” concluded Kašćelan.
Speaking about the challenges, it was noted that a small number of young people develop an entrepreneurial spirit or awareness about the importance of protecting their innovations. Institutions, the education system, and the business community must work together to change this situation.
“Innovation does not exist until it becomes widely accepted, and knowledge and strategic thinking are key in the innovation process. Through programs like vouchers for intellectual property protection, we want to encourage young people to believe in their ideas and protect them. Unfortunately, it is concerning that entrepreneurial spirit and creativity are still underdeveloped among young people. That’s why we must work together to nurture and empower their potential so they can develop their ideas and create solutions that change the world,” said Dr. Srna Sudar, Director of the Technology Transfer Office.
As part of the event, an interactive workshop titled “Protect Your Idea” was held, led by Filip Lazović from the Montenegrin Employers’ Federation. Participants were introduced to concrete steps in the idea protection process and gained basic knowledge of available legal mechanisms.
The panel “IMAGINE. CREATE. PROTECT: Perspectives and Challenges in the Field of Intellectual Property” was organized as part of the broader 28to28 campaign, conducted by the Ministry of European Affairs with support from the European Union through the EU4ME project, aiming to highlight the benefits of closed negotiation chapters, including Chapter 7 on Intellectual Property Law.