European Patent Validation in Slovakia, Slovak Patents and Utility Models
- Filing a Validation Request
- Filing Slovak patent or utility model application
- Translation into Slovak (Full Patent Specification)
- Appointment of a Patent Attorney
Protection Before Grant of EPO patent
Under Article 67(1) EPC, from the date of its publication, a European patent application provisionally confers on the applicant the same rights as a national Slovak patent, in the designated contracting state of Slovakia, provided that a translation into Slovak is submitted and the administrative fee for publication is duly paid. These provisional rights are equivalent to those granted under a Slovak national patent.
Slovak Patent and Utility Model Cost Calculator
European Patent Validation Requirements in Slovakia
After grant, a European patent must be validated in Slovakia to take legal effect. In accordance with Slovak patent lawand Article 65(1) EPC, a translation of the full patent specification into Slovak must be filed.
Applicants who do not have a residence or principal place of business in Slovakia must appoint a Slovak patent attorney for representation before the Slovak Industrial Property Office.
The deadline for filing the translation is 3 months from the date of publication of the grant (or of the decision to maintain the patent as amended) in the European Patent Bulletin.
An extension of this time limit is possible. Filing the translation within a supplementary period is also permitted, subject to additional requirements.
Slovak Patent Proceedings
A Slovak patent provides strong legal protection for inventions that are novel, involve an inventive step, and are industrially applicable.
Main stages of the patent application process:
Filing the Application
The applicant must submit a description of the invention, at least one claim, any necessary drawings, and an abstract. The application can claim priority under the Paris Convention.Formal and Substantive Examination
After filing, the Office conducts a formal examination. A substantive examination of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability is carried out upon request, which must be filed within 36 months from the filing date.Publication
The application is usually published 18 months after the filing or priority date.Grant and Duration
If the application meets all legal requirements, the patent is granted and published. A Slovak patent is valid for up to 20 years from the filing date, subject to annual renewal fees.
Slovak Utility Model Proceedings
The utility model system is a simpler and faster alternative to patent protection for inventions with a lower level of inventiveness or shorter commercial life cycle.
Key features:
No substantive examination is required. The Office conducts only a formal check and a basic search for prior rights.
Faster registration — typically within a few months from filing.
Protection lasts up to 4 years, with the possibility of two renewals of 3 years each, for a maximum of 10 years.
Utility models must still meet the criteria of novelty, industrial applicability, and a certain degree of inventiveness, but the threshold is generally lower than for patents.
Note: Some subject matter (e.g. methods, chemical substances) is excluded from utility model protection in Slovakia.
Choosing Between a Patent and Utility Model
Choose a patent for long-term, strong protection and when your invention involves a significant inventive step.
Choose a utility model for faster, simpler, and more cost-effective protection when your invention is of less technical complexity or time-sensitive.