Slovakia
Slovakia is a member of the European Union (since 2004), the European Patent Convention (since 2002), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and the Madrid Agreement and Protocol for trademarks. Trademarks are protected for 10 years (renewable), patents for 20 years, and industrial designs for up to 25 years. The .sk country code domain is available to individuals and legal entities, with local presence recommended. This page covers the filing requirements, legal basis, and key deadlines for protecting intellectual property in Slovakia.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 49,030 sq. km.
Population: 5,425,319 (2023).
Capital: Bratislava.
Language: Slovak.
Currency: Euro.
GENERAL REMARKS
The Slovak Republic came into existence on January 1, 1993, as a result of the separation of the former Czechoslovakia. As of the same date, the Slovak Patent Office was established in Bratislava and in 1995 moved to Banská Bystrica. Laws and membership in international conventions concerning protection of industrial property rights of the former Czechoslovakia remain in force in the Slovak Republic.
The Slovak Republic is a member of the European Union as of May 1, 2004.
PATENTS OF INVENTION
LEGAL BASIS
- Law No. 435/2001 of October 4, 2001 on Patents, Supplementary Protection Certificates and on Amendment of other Acts: “The Patent Act”, in force since November 1, 2001.
- Law No. 402/2002 Coll., which amends Law No. 435/2001 Coll. (The Patent Act) and Decree No. 223/2002 of March 13, 2002. Further amendments of Law No. 435/2001: Laws Nos. 84/2007 Coll., 517/2007 Coll., and 202/2009. Last amendment in force since January 14, 2019.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act, since January 1, 1993.
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), since January 1, 1993.
- European Patent Convention, since July 1, 2002.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Name and address of the applicant;
- Name and address of the inventor;
- Power of Attorney (signed by applicant without legalization), can be filed after the filing of the application;
- A document showing the right to the patent, if the applicant is not the inventor, can be filed after the filing date;
- Specification and claims (in English, German or French, to be translated), 2 copies. Abstract;
- Drawings (if necessary): 1 original, 3 copies, size A4;
- Priority document (if any), to be filed only on request of the Patent Office;
- Assignment of priority right, if the applicant in the Slovak application is not the same as the first applicant (notarization of the signature of the first applicant is required), to be filed only on request of the Patent Office.
REMARKS
National Phase of PCT: both under Chapter I and Chapter II: 31 months.
Validity: issued after a formal and full examination – valid for 20 years from the filing date.
Annuities: are to be paid after the grant of a patent. Their payment may be delayed for six months with a fine of 100%.
Opposition: after the publication, any person may file observations regarding the patentability of the application’s object.
TRADE AND SERVICE MARKS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law No. 506/2009 on Trademarks, in force since January 1, 2010.
- Decree No. 567/2009 implementing the above Act No. 506/2009, in force since January 1, 2010.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act, since January 1, 1993.
- Madrid Agreement, Stockholm Act, since January 1, 1993.
- Madrid Protocol, since September 13, 1997.
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Power of Attorney (signed by applicant without legalization);
- Name and address of the applicant;
- List of goods and/or services (in English, German or French);
- A representation of the mark;
- Priority document (if any).
REMARKS
Kinds of protection: trademarks comprising a word or device or a combination of both, two- and three- dimensional designations. Service marks are registrable.
Classification: International.
Obligation to use the registered mark: use is obligatory within any five-year period. The public offer for use of the trademark through the press has the validity of usage.
Duration – renewals: 10-year period from the filing date, renewable for further periods of ten years.
Opposition: may be filed within three months from the date of publication in the Bulletin. The opposition period for international trademarks begins the first day of the next month after the date of publication in the WIPO Gazette of International Marks
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS
LEGAL BASIS
- Law No. 444/2002 Coll. on Designs of June 20, 2002, in force since October 1, 2002, and Decree No. 629/2002 Coll. implementing the above Act No. 444/2002 Coll. on Designs, amended by Law No. 84/2007 Coll. implementing EC Directive No. 2004/48/EC on the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights, effective from March 1, 2007, and further amended by Law No. 495/2008. Last amendment in force since January 14, 2019.
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
- Paris Convention, Stockholm Act, since January 1, 1993
FILING REQUIREMENTS
- Name and address of the applicant;
- Name and address of the creator of the design;
- Power of Attorney (signed by the applicant without legalization, can be filed later);
- A representation of the design;
- Description is not usually required and its filing is optional;
- Priority document and an assignment of priority right if the applicant in the Slovak Republic is not identical to the first applicant.
REMARKS
Duration – renewals: after formal and novelty examination: 5 years; Extension: four additional 5-year periods.
Opposition: not provided for.
DOMAIN NAMES
LEGAL BASIS
- There is no specific legislation on country code top-level domain names.
FILING
- ccTLD: .sk
- Applicant: individuals and legal entities.
- Local presence: recommended.
REMARKS
Duration – renewals: one to ten years, renewable for like periods.
Uniform dispute resolution procedure: none, but an Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedure (ADRP) is available.
Frequently Asked Questions — IP Protection in Slovakia
What documents are required to register a trademark in Slovakia?
To register a trademark in Slovakia, the following documents are required: a Power of Attorney (signed by the applicant without legalization), the name and address of the applicant, a list of goods and/or services in English, German or French, a representation of the mark, and a priority document if applicable. Trademark registration is governed by Law No. 506/2009, in force since January 1, 2010.
Can I register a trademark in Slovakia through the international Madrid System?
Slovakia is a member of the Madrid Agreement (since 1993) and the Madrid Protocol (since 1997), so international registration via WIPO is also possible.
What kinds of trademarks may be registered in Slovakia?
In Slovakia, trademarks may comprise a word, a device, or a combination of both, as well as two- and three-dimensional designations. Service marks are also registrable.
How long is the trademark opposition period in Slovakia?
Opposition to a trademark application may be filed within 3 months from the date of publication in the Bulletin. For international trademarks, the opposition period begins on the first day of the next month after the date of publication in the WIPO Gazette of International Marks.
How long does trademark protection last in Slovakia?
Trademark protection in Slovakia lasts for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for further periods of ten years indefinitely.
Must a trademark be used in Slovakia?
Yes, use is obligatory within any five-year period. A public offer for use of the trademark through the press has the validity of usage.
What are the routes for filing a patent in Slovakia?
Slovakia is a member of the Paris Convention (since 1993), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT, since 1993), and the European Patent Convention (EPC, since 2002). Filing requirements include: the name and address of the applicant and inventor, a Power of Attorney (signed by the applicant without legalization, can be filed after the application), a document showing the right to the patent if the applicant is not the inventor, a specification and claims (in English, German or French, to be translated, 2 copies) and abstract, drawings if necessary (1 original, 3 copies, A4), and a priority document if any. For PCT national phase entry, the deadline is 31 months under both Chapter I and Chapter II. Patents are valid for 20 years from the filing date after formal and full examination.
How long is the patent opposition period in Slovakia?
After publication, any person may file observations regarding the patentability of the application’s object with the Slovak IP Office (ÚPV SR).
When are patent annuities due in Slovakia?
Patent annuities in Slovakia are paid after the grant of the patent. Payment may be delayed for six months with a fine of 100%. Timely payment is essential to maintain the patent in force throughout its 20-year validity period. For current deadlines and practitioner guidance, consult Katzarov’s Manual on Industrial Property.
How do I register an industrial design in Slovakia?
Industrial designs in Slovakia are protected under Law No. 444/2002 Coll. (in force since October 1, 2002, last amended January 14, 2019). Filing requires: the name and address of the applicant and of the creator of the design, a Power of Attorney (signed by the applicant without legalization, can be filed later), a representation of the design, an optional description, and a priority document with an assignment of priority right if the applicant in Slovakia is not identical to the first applicant. Slovakia is a member of the Paris Convention (since 1993). Protection lasts 5 years from the filing date after formal and novelty examination, extendable for four additional 5-year periods (maximum 25 years). Opposition is not provided for.
How do I register a .sk domain name?
The .sk domain is Slovakia’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD). Both individuals and legal entities can register, with local presence recommended. Registration periods range from 1 to 10 years, renewable for like periods. There is no uniform dispute resolution procedure (UDRP), but an Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedure (ADRP) is available.
Does the power of attorney need notarization or legalization in Slovakia?
In Slovakia, the Power of Attorney for trademark, patent, and design filings does not require legalization or notarization. A simply signed POA is sufficient and can be filed after the application.
Where can I search the Slovak trademark database?
Slovakia’s trademark register is maintained by the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic (ÚPV SR), based in Banská Bystrica. Effective searching requires knowledge of Nice Classification, multilingual considerations (Slovak, English, German, French), and interpretation of legal status codes. For comprehensive trademark searches and clearance opinions, contact Katzarov’s team.
Where can I search for patents in Slovakia?
Patent records in Slovakia are maintained by the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic (ÚPV SR). For professional patent searches, contact Katzarov’s team.
What is the contact information for the Slovak IP Office (ÚPV SR)?
The Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic (ÚPV SR) is located at Švermova 43, 974 04 Banská Bystrica 4, Slovakia. Phone: (+421) 48 4300 131. Email: urad@indprop.gov.sk. Website: indprop.gov.sk.
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