Mihajlo Zatezalo

  • Head of Office
  • Chief of EECA Compliance
@mihajlo.zatezalo
mihajlo.zatezalo@cwbip.com
+381 11 7855900

With almost 30 years of IP-related experience in Serbia and the neighbouring Balkan countries, Mihajlo has successfully advised major multinational companies from a variety of industries regarding all aspects of IP law. He is highly skilled in handling complex trademark litigation and enforcement matters, including defending IP rights in courts, negotiating with infringers and working closely with the customs, police and market inspectorate authorities. Mihajlo is currently overseeing the operations and IP work in all our offices in non-EU Balkan countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

In his capacity as EECA Chief Compliance Officer, Mihajlo is responsible for ensuring our adherence to regulatory requirements, ethical standards and internal policies across EECA, while proactively managing compliance risks and facilitating continuous improvements in compliance programs.

Before joining PETOŠEVIĆ in 2005 and CWB in 2023, Mihajlo worked at another IP firm in Belgrade for 10 years. As a long-time member of PETOŠEVIĆ operations department and the firm’s management board, Mihajlo has helped establish and develop several of our offices in the EECA region.

Mihajlo is an active member of several IP organizations and has represented our firm at numerous conferences and meetings. He occasionally lectures and holds trainings on the subject of IP.

Experience

  • Advised one of the world’s biggest apparel producers regarding trademark infringement cases in the Western Balkans, including civil and criminal proceedings before the local courts

  • Successfully handled complex trademark litigation and enforcement cases, including defending trademark rights in courts, negotiating with infringers, and working closely with the customs, police and market inspectorate authorities

  • Provided ongoing assistance and represented leading regional and international companies across various industries before Serbian courts in trademark infringement cases involving lookalikes and parasitic copying

  • Participated in a project funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) aimed at helping the Serbian IPO improve its organization and the processing of applications

  • Participated in an EU-funded project aiming to improve the capacity of the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina by establishing centers for information and education

Qualifications
  • European Patent Attorney, 2011
  • Trademark and Patent Attorney, Serbia, 2000
  • Attorney at Law, Serbia Bar Association, 1998
Education
  • Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, Serbia, LLB, 1996
Languages
  • English
  • Serbian

Professional Activities

Publications

  • Trademarks Throughout the World. Serbia chapter. Thomson Reuters. (2020 - present)

  • Contributor for Serbia “Patent Enforcement in Europe”. European Patent Office. (2019)

  • “Serbia case summaries”. The Trademark Reporter Vol. 101 No.3. International Trademark Association. (May-June 2011)

  • “Tightening Up in the Balkans”. World Intellectual Property Review Annual 2010. Newton Media Limited (2010)

  • "Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Serbia," WIPO Training of Trainers Program on Intellectual Property and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Belgrade, Serbia, November 1-4, 2010
  • "Anti-Counterfeiting in the Balkan Region," United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Regional Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights, Commercialization and Enforcement, Skopje, Macedonia, April 1-3, 2009
  • "Intellectual Property and Industry in Serbia, Presentation on Intellectual Property Assets in Economy, with Special Reference on Small and Medium Size Enterprises. Why and What to Protect?", Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia, November 6-7, 2007
  • AIPPI
  • FICPI
  • EPI
  • INTA
  • Litigation Committee of the European Patent Institute (EPI) for the term 2020 – 2023
  • Litigation Committee of the European Patent Institute (EPI) for the term 2017 – 2020
  • Litigation Committee of the European Patent Institute (EPI) for the term 2014 - 2017
  • Full Member of the 20th Council of EPI for the term 2023-2026
  • Full Member of the 19th Council of EPI for the term 2020-2023
  • Full Member of the 18th Council of EPI for the term 2017-2020
  • Full Member of the 17th Council of EPI for the term 2014-2017
  • Lecturer at IP workshops, EU-funded project "Capacity Building of the Institute for Intellectual Property through the Establishment of Information-Educational Centres", Consortium led by HD European Consulting Group, Bosnia and Herzegovina, November 2015