MIET marks World Intellectual Property Day
Prishtinë,
28/04/2025
Today, in celebration of World Intellectual Property Day 2025, an event was held under the patronage of the Caretaker Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Ms. Rozeta Hajdari. This year’s event theme was "Intellectual Property and Music", and was organized by the Industrial Property Agency within the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Kosovo Customs.
Minister Hajdari stated that music, which enriches every aspect of our lives, is a universal form of creative expression and a component of intellectual property (IP) rights. It exemplifies how intellectual property provides both meaning and protection to our creativity.
By recognizing the work and contributions of artists through trademark registration, we not only protect the identity of our artists but also preserve the cultural wealth of our nation, thereby positively impacting the overall development of the country.
Furthermore, she added, “This event today gave us the opportunity to reflect on music, creativity and innovation to celebrate the role of intellectual property, and to work together in very concrete ways to support all creators, musicians, artists and innovators. It is important to remember the power of intellectual property, the power of music, and how they can come together to build a better future for society and future generations. This should not only be recognized on World Intellectual Property Day, April 26, but throughout the year.”
With political commitment and the work of the Industrial Property Agency (IPA), Minister Hajdari emphasized that significant efforts have been made to strengthen and protect industrial property rights, resulting in tangible achievements over the past four years of our government:
Legal reform in the field of industrial property has been completed, fully harmonizing the legislation governing industrial property with the EU acquis. In addition, after 12 years, a new Regulation on the Organizational Structure of the Industrial Property Agency has been adopted. This regulation ensures higher-quality services for parties and provides enhanced protection for innovators. This achievement has also been recognized in the last two annual Progress Reports for Kosovo by the European Union.
After a 10-year gap without a strategic document in the field of industrial property, the Industrial Property Program 2025-2027 and its accompanying action plan have been adopted. This program represents a strategic document aimed at strengthening Kosovo’s industrial property system.
A total of 748 trademark infringement cases have been resolved out of 911 opposition cases inherited since 2013. These cases involved complex legal processes, disputes between economic entities, and significant market losses.
7,699 industrial property titles have been registered, including 7,532 trademarks, 127 industrial designs, and 40 patents.
For the first time in the Republic of Kosovo, Geographical Indications have been registered as Protected Designations of Origin, "Djathi i Sharrit / Sharri Cheese" and "Verërat e Rahovecit / Rahovec Wines". Additionally, two (2) products with international applicants, Cognac and Gorgonzola, have been registered under geographical indications.
Support from the Swiss Economic and Development Cooperation (SECO) has been secured through a project worth CHF 750,000, aimed at strengthening the intellectual property system in Kosovo. This project is expected to improve infrastructure and ensure the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights, thereby positively impacting economic development and innovation.
An agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been reached to fully digitalize processes at the Industrial Property Agency. This includes the integration of online applications, which will reduce the application processing time and improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the agency’s service delivery.
In addition, the Free Trade Agreement with EFTA member countries has been successfully signed, covering trade in goods, trade in services, intellectual property rights, rules of origin, trade facilitation and customs cooperation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), technical barriers to trade (TBT), trade legal instruments, competition, and sustainable development.
The Minister closed her speech by emphasizing that these accomplishments are the result of a strong political vision, inter-institutional cooperation, and the support of Kosovo’s international – all aimed at building Kosovo into a modern state, where innovation, creativity, and the dignity of work are protected and promoted.