In order to be eligible for patenting, the invention must be new and no other person may have a prior patent application for it. Patents in most countries are granted for inventions that are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application.

An invention needs to involve an inventive step, meaning that it may not be obvious for a person skilled in the art. Patents in most countries are granted for inventions that are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application.

The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced that Montenegro will become the next Member State of the European Patent Organisation. The European state’s ascension to the Organisation will take effect on 1 October of this year.