A sign that may constitute a trademark is any sign capable of being represented graphically, consisting in particular of words (including personal names), letters, numerals, drawings, the shape of goods or their packaging, or combinations of these, provided that the sign is capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from those of another.

The conditions for a trademark’s eligibility for registration are laid down in Act No. 506/2009 Coll. on Trademarks.

How long is a trademark valid?

A trademark registration is valid for ten years from the date the application is filed. At the request of the trademark owner or a secured creditor (submitted no earlier than in the final year of validity, and no later than 6 months after it expires), the Office will renew the registration for a further ten years.

The application must be accompanied by payment of the administrative fee to the Office’s account, in accordance with Act No. 145/1995 Coll. on Administrative Fees, as amended.

What is a trademark for?

A trademark’s primary purpose is to distinguish products from those of a wide range of other businesses – in other words, to enable consumers to recognise the goods of a particular entity.

It also serves a competitive and promotional function: helping you showcase your own branded products and thereby maintain your position in the market.

How do I obtain a trademark?

The only way is to file a fully completed application on the prescribed form with the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic. The application may be filed only by a natural person or legal entity or, in the case of a collective trademark, also by an association of natural persons and legal entities. The application must contain:

  • a request for registration of the sign as a trademark, together with the applicant’s name, surname and permanent residence address if the applicant is a natural person, or the name or business name and registered office if the applicant is a legal entity,
  • a representation of the sign being applied for,
  • a list of goods or services for which the sign is to be registered as a trademark, in accordance with the International Classification of Goods and Services,
  • for a collective trademark, the application must additionally include a written agreement concluded between all members of the association and a list of the members entitled to use the collective trademark,
  • the signature of the applicant or their representative.

How much does it cost?

Filing a trademark application covering up to three classes of goods and services costs 166 EUR. Each additional class incurs a further fee of +20EUR