The Government of the Republic of Kosovo, in its 45th meeting, has approved three draft laws proposed by the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET).
The draft Law on Trademarks clarifies the registration procedures and strengthens the judicial protection of trademarks, in accordance with EU legislation.
This draft law defines the conditions and the manner of registration of trademarks, clarifying at the same time the opposition procedure. Also, the draft law in particular creates the basis for the digitalization of services, as well as strengthens trademark protection through the courts, taking into account local legislation on court proceedings. The strengthening of this draft law into law will inevitably contribute to the improvement of the business climate and to the promotion of investments and development in the Republic of Kosovo.
The Draft Law on Trade Secrets applies to undisclosed business knowledge and information (trade secrets), which have a perspective effect within the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. So far there has been no proper legislation to protect trade secrets. The Draft Law on Trade Secrets is one of the 5 laws of the reform package in this area, which will harmonize local laws with those of the EU. The Draft Law on Trade Secrets, the first of its kind in Kosovo, concludes the reform in the field of industrial property, protecting the activity of our enterprises.
The draft law on Tourism aims to establish the legal basis for the development of competitive and sustainable tourism in the Republic of Kosovo, using natural, cultural, human and financial resources, in accordance with EU legislation and contemporary standards. The draft law applies to all public institutions and economic operators, such as travel agencies, tour guides, accommodation structures and other tourism service providers.
The project experts, funded by the European Commission, have estimated that the existing tourism law needs to be amended to transpose the EU Services Directive. Also, civil society organizations, including research organizations and associations of economic operators, have also called for a change in the law. Consultations have involved responsible institutions, stakeholders and the general public, and the draft law has been carefully prepared for proceeding in the Government.
In this meeting of the Government of Kosovo was also approved the Concept Paper on supplementing and amending the Law on Consumer Protection 06/L-34, which provides legal changes necessary to meet the obligations of the Constitution and the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Review of the Law on Consumer Protection will enable: to update administrative and criminal penal provisions, which should be harmonized with the relevant laws on minor offenses and to adapt to the concrete needs for law enforcement; harmonization of our law with the norms of the European Union, including the reforms foreseen by Directive 2019/2161; as well as adapting the law to new ways of doing business in Kosovo, to enable the rapid resolution of consumer-commercial disputes and to promote the successful development of trade.
This concept paper has been prepared in accordance with the norms for drafting concept papers and constitutes a necessary measure for consumer protection and the fair development of the country's economy.
