On the occasion of the 106th anniversary of the Intellectual Property Office, and with the aim of promoting the importance of intellectual property protection for the development of the modern economy and society, a competition for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Awards was held from September 1 to October 9, 2026, in four competition categories:
- Inventor or group of inventors for a patent (WIPO National Award for Inventors).
- Legal entities for the commercial application of industrial property (WIPO National Award for Enterprises).
- Author of a monographic work/study exhibition in the field of social sciences and humanities (National Award for Creativity).
- Secondary school student or group of students for an invention (WIPO National Award for Schoolchildren).
Criteria for awarding prizes in the first category of the competition:
- The applicant must be a domestic inventor or group of inventors.
- Patent protection must have been obtained.
- The patent must be in force.
- The patent must have market potential or a specific practical application and proven market success, as well as a letter of support from a potential user of the patented invention.
- The benefits of the patent for the economy and society must be demonstrable through increased employment, exports, productivity, energy efficiency, environmental protection or improved quality of life, with particular emphasis on 2026.
Criteria for awarding prizes in the second category of the competition:
- The applicant must be a domestic legal entity or entrepreneur.
- The legal entity or entrepreneur must have obtained industrial property protection within the last five years through a patent and/or industrial design and/or trademark and/or topography of a semiconductor product, and/or must be an authorised user of an indication of geographical origin.
- Business activities such as launching new products/processes, investing in development and/or research, creating new jobs, increasing exports, improving productivity, increasing energy efficiency, protecting the environment or improving quality of life must be associated with registered industrial property rights.
Criteria for awarding the prize in the third category of the competition:
- The entry must be an individually authored or critically edited monograph by a domestic author, published or accepted for publication between September 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026, with at least one reviewer listed in the publication details, distinguished by theoretical depth, erudition and a critical understanding of the subject matter; or a study exhibition accompanied by a catalogue, with at least one reviewer listed in the publication details, offering an in-depth and original examination of the history of science and culture or the social significance of technology.
Criteria for awarding the prize in the fourth category of the competition:
- The entry must be an invention developed by a domestic secondary school student or group of students that contributes to environmental protection, energy efficiency or improved quality of life.
The winners in the first category were selected by a committee consisting of:
- Vladimir Nikić, Graduate Engineer, Innovation Manager and Business Consultant – Chair of the Committee;
- Dr Danica Mićanović, Expert in Innovation and Knowledge Transfer and Intellectual Property Coordinator at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia;
- Nataša Milovanović, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering and Electrical Engineering at the Intellectual Property Office.
The winners in the second category were selected by a committee consisting of:
- Dr Sanja Popović Pantić, President of the Association of Business Women in Serbia, Adviser to the Enterprise Europe Network and Senior Research Associate at the Science and Technology Development Research Centre of the Mihajlo Pupin Institute – Chair of the Committee;
- Dr Miloš Milošević, Graduate Mechanical Engineer and Scientific Adviser at the Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade;
- Aleksandra Mihailović, Assistant Director of the Intellectual Property Office.
The winners in the third category were selected by a committee consisting of:
- Dr Aleksandar Petrović, Full Professor of Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade – Chair of the Committee;
- Dr Sanja Savčić, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Novi Sad;
- Biljana Jovičić, Head of the Department for Registers at the Intellectual Property Office.
The winners in the fourth category were selected by a committee consisting of:
- Dr Tamara Popović, Scientific Adviser at the Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade – Chair of the Committee;
- Nikola Srzentić, Director of the Regional Talent Centre;
- Dr Nataša Milojević, Independent Adviser at the Intellectual Property Office.
The WIPO National Award for Inventors, in the category for an inventor or group of inventors for a patent that is in force and has a specific practical application and proven market success, was awarded to Bojan Pavlović, Katarina Jončić Savić, Cem Aydogan, Lidija Šenerović, Lidija Đokić, Ivana Morić, Aleksandar Pavić and Nada Stanković, who developed and obtained patent protection under number RS 67350 B1 for the invention entitled “Aristotelia chilensis Extracts in the Treatment of Fungal Infections”, which introduces a new approach to controlling infections caused by Candida albicans.
The invention is based on the use of anthocyanin-rich maqui berry extract and, unlike conventional antifungal treatments, acts by inhibiting filamentation, a key mechanism of pathogenicity of this fungus.
The research has also resulted in the commercialised product CandBerrol®, a dietary supplement in the form of lozenges for topical application in the oral cavity.
The patent is in force in the Republic of Serbia, while patent protection has also been obtained through the Eurasian Patent Organization and in Türkiye. Patent protection procedures are ongoing in several major international markets.
This invention represents a successful example of cooperation between science and industry, bringing together the research activities of the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering of the University of Belgrade and the company Phytonet doo to create an innovation with significant health-related, economic and international commercial potential.
The WIPO National Award for Enterprises, in the category for a domestic legal entity or entrepreneur for the commercial application of industrial property, was awarded to Hedera Vita, a company founded, owned and managed by Olgica Samoilović.
Since the company’s establishment in 2011, she has led the development of a brand that has grown from a small domestic manufacturer into one of the most recognisable Serbian natural cosmetics brands, with its own production facilities and a growing international presence.
Under the Hedera Vita trademarks, registered in the Republic of Serbia under numbers 74678 and 78674, the company has continuously invested in developing new products, strengthening brand recognition and expanding its commercial presence, demonstrating how intellectual property can serve as an important driver of growth and added value creation.
Through her long-term vision, commitment to quality and strategic brand management, Olgica Samoilović has successfully integrated intellectual property protection into the company’s development strategy, transforming its trademarks into key intangible assets that underpin the recognition and competitiveness of the Hedera Vita brand.
The National Award for Creativity, in the category for the author of a monographic work or study exhibition with a catalogue in the field of social sciences and humanities, was awarded to Dr Vladimir Dimitrijević for his monograph “A Small Light in Great Darkness – Saint-Exupéry and The Little Prince”.
This work offers a profound and inspiring interpretation of the life, literary achievements and spiritual legacy of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, with particular emphasis on his most famous work, The Little Prince.
Drawing on the universal themes of love, friendship, responsibility and the search for meaning, the author explores the position of modern individuals in a world marked by alienation, materialism and the loss of enduring values.
A particular strength of the monograph lies in its ability to make complex philosophical and literary ideas accessible to a wider readership, while encouraging reflection on our relationships with ourselves, others and the world around us.
Through an original interpretation of Saint-Exupéry’s work, Vladimir Dimitrijević highlights the importance of humanistic values, empathy and spiritual responsibility, reaffirming the enduring relevance of literature as a means of understanding individuals and society.
The WIPO National Award for Schoolchildren, in the category for a secondary school student or group of students for an invention, was awarded to Petar Čelik, a fourth-year student at the Rade Končar School of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade and a participant in the Regional Talent Centre in Čačak, for his invention entitled “Sync Robotic Arm”.
The invention represents an innovative technical solution in the field of robotics and mechatronics that enables synchronised remote control of a robotic arm, using machine learning algorithms to improve movement precision.
The system operates by allowing an operator to control a robotic arm using a smaller control model, with the robotic arm replicating the same movements in real time. This enables the safe handling of objects and substances from a distance.
Such a solution has significant potential for application in the nuclear industry, chemical laboratories and other environments where direct human exposure to hazardous substances needs to be limited.
The invention’s added value lies in its integrated liquid level detection system, which uses electronic components together with visual and audible signals to enable process control and monitoring.
By combining robotic automation, electronics and machine learning, this invention contributes to improving occupational safety, protecting human health and developing practical technological solutions with the potential for widespread application in industry and research activities.
We congratulate the winners and thank all participants in the competition!
In addition to the above awards, in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization, an award is also presented to the domestic legal entity that made the most extensive use of the international trademark registration system during 2026 – the WIPO National Award for WIPO Users.
This award was presented to FAZI doo, which had the highest number of internationally registered trademarks among all domestic legal entities during 2026.
FAZI is one of the leading gambling operators in the Republic of Serbia and holds a large portfolio of protected trademarks used to protect its business identity, products and services in domestic and international markets.
Continuous investment in brand development and expanding the scope of intellectual property protection demonstrates the company’s strategic approach to managing intangible assets and its recognition of trademarks as an important instrument for business development and competitiveness.
The significant number of international trademark registrations reflects the company’s active use of the global intellectual property protection system and its commitment to strengthening the recognition and position of its brands internationally over the long term.
The World Intellectual Property Organization Awards will be presented during the celebration of the 106th anniversary of the Intellectual Property Office on November 16, 2026.