WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION RESTRICTED
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DUCOMMERCEIP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
17October 1995
ORGANIZACI ÓNMUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO(95-3133)
Council forTrade-Related Aspects Original: English/
ofIntellectual Property Rights anglais
inglés
NOTIFICATION OFLAWS AND REGULATIONS
UNDER ARTICLE 63.2OFTHE AGREEMENT
Slovenia
Addendum
TheLawonIndustrial Property ,1992, asamended andsupplemented bytheLawAmending
andSupplementing theLawonIndustrial Property ,1993.1
Conseil desaspects desdroits depropriété
intellectuelle quitouchent aucommerce
NOTIFICATION DESLOIS ETREGLEMENTATIONS
AUTITRE DEL'ARTICLE 63:2DEL'ACCORD
Slovénie
Addendum
Loisurlapropriété industrielle ,1992, tellequemodifiée etcomplétée parlaLoimodifiant
etcomplétant laLoisurlapropriété industrielle ,1993.1
Consejo delosAspectos delosDerechos dePropiedad
Intelectual relacionados conelComercio
NOTIFICACI ÓNDELEYES YREGLAMENTOS DECONFORMIDAD
CON ELPÁRRAFO 2DEL ARTÍCULO 63DEL ACUERDO
Eslovenia
Addendum
LeydelaPropiedad Industrial ,de1992, reformada ycompletada porlaLeyporlaquese
reforma ycompleta laLeydelaPropiedad Industrial ,de1993.1
1English only/anglais seulement/en inglés solamente.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page2
REPUBLIC OFSLOVENIA
LAW ONINDUSTRIAL PROPERTY
CONSOLIDATED TEXT
oftheLawonIndustrial Property from 20March 1992 (referred toasLIP), asamended and
supplemented bytheLaw Amending andSupplementing theLaw onIndustrial Property from
29May19932(referred toasLASLIP). Amended and/or supplemented Articles aremarked withan
asterisk (*).
I.GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
ThisLawregulates thegrant andtheprotection ofthefollowing industrial property rights:
- Patents;
- model rights anddesign rights;
- trade marks andservice marks;
- appellations oforigin.
Article 2
Inventions shallbeprotected bypatents.
Distinctive signsinclude newshapes ofproducts, pictures anddrawings, trademarks andservice
marks andgeographical names ofproducts.
Newshapes ofproducts, pictures anddrawings shallbeprotected bymodel rights ordesign
rights.
Trade andservice signs shallbeprotected bytrade marks orservice marks.
Geographical names ofproducts shallbeprotected byappellations oforigin.
Article 3
Rights afforded under thisLawshallconfer onarightful claimant bothmaterial andmoral
rights.
Material rights shallinclude theexclusive commercial exploitation anddisposal ofindustrial
property rights bytheirholders.
2Entry intoforce (oftheLawAmending andSupplementing theLawonIndustrial Property): 13
June1993.
Source: Uradni listRepublike Slovenije, No.13/1992 of20March 1992and27/1993 of29May1993.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page3
Itshallbethemoral rightofthecreators ofinventions andofnewshapes ofproducts, pictures
anddrawings tobedesignated assuchbothintheapplication andinalldocuments relating topatents,
models anddesigns.
When aninvention, anewshape ofaproduct, apicture oradrawing istheproduct ofthe
creative activity ofseveral persons, allsuchpersons shallbedesignated ascreators inthedocuments
referred tointhethirdparagraph ofthisArticle.
*Article 43
IntheRepublic ofSlovenia, theprotection ofinventions anddistinctive signs maybesought
byfiling, inaccordance withtheregulations, anapplication withtheIndustrial Property Office ofthe
Republic ofSlovenia (hereinafter referred toas"theOffice").
Applications bywhich theprotection forinventions ordistinctive signs issought inaforeign
country, shallalsobeaccepted bytheOffice ifsoprovided forininternational agreements orconventions
towhich theRepublic ofSlovenia hasacceded.
Theprotection ofinventions anddistinctive signs intheRepublic ofSlovenia mayalsobe
requested withanapplication filedabroad, ifthisisinaccordance withaninternational agreement or
convention towhich theRepublic ofSlovenia isaparty. Thelegaleffect oftherights granted onthe
basis oftheapplication filedabroad shallbethesame asthatoftherights granted onthebasis ofa
national application, unless otherwise provided forbytherespective international agreement or
convention.
Theinvention ordistinctive signinrespect ofwhich anapplication isfiledabroad inaccordance
withthethirdparagraph ofthisArticle isnotentitled toprotection arising outoftheapplication which
hasbeenfiledinrespect ofthesameinvention ordistinctive signinaccordance withthefirstparagraph
ofthisArticle.
Thefirstandthesecond paragraphs ofthisArticle shallnotapply tosecret inventions.
Article 5
Legal andnatural persons thatareforeign nationals shallenjoy, inrespect oftheprotection
ofinventions anddistinctive signs intheRepublic ofSlovenia, thesame rights asdomestic legalor
natural persons, orother domestic nationals, ifthisresults frominternational contracts andconventions
orfrom theapplication oftheprinciple ofreciprocity.
Theparty invoking reciprocity shallberequired toprove theexistence ofreciprocity.
Inproceedings before theOffice, other administrative entities andlawcourts, foreign legal
andnatural persons shallassert theirrights under thisLawthrough anauthorized agent whoiseither
adomestic legalperson oracitizen oftheRepublic ofSlovenia.
3According toArticle 24ofLASLIP, theGovernment oftheRepublic ofSlovenia mayconclude
anagreement withwhich theimplementation ofthethirdparagraph ofthisArticle iseffected before
anduntiltheratification ofarespective international agreement orconvention.
(Note: theuseofthisprovision wasmade on2July1993 when theGovernment oftheRepublic
ofSlovenia signed anagreement withEuropean Patent Organization).IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page4
Article 6
Administrativeproceedingsandotheradministrativeactsrelatingtotheacquisitionandprotection
ofrights ininventions anddistinctive signs shallbecarried outbytheOffice.
There shallbenoappeal against adecision taken bytheOffice inaccordance withthisLaw;
however, anadministrative litigation proceeding shallbepossible.
Article 7
TheOffice shallafford allinterested legalandnatural persons access toitsdocumentation on
therights bywhich inventions anddistinctive signs areprotected, withtheexception ofdocumentation
inthepre-publication procedure.
Subject topayment ofthecorresponding costs, theOffice shallprovide information onthe
state oftheartandshall alsoperform other services relating tothefield ofinformation and
documentation.
ACouncil oftheOffice shall beconstituted attheOffice asanadvisory body forexpert
consideration ofquestions ofprinciple relating totheprotection ofindustrial property. Themembers
oftheCouncil shallbeappointed bytheMinister responsible forscience andtechnology.
II.TITLES OFPROTECTION
1. Patents
Article 8
Apatent shallprotect aninvention which isnew,which istheresult ofcreative workatinventive
levelandwhich isindustrially applicable.
Discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, computer programs andother rules,
schemes, methods andprocesses forperforming mental actsassuchshallnotbeconsidered inventions
within themeaning ofthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle.
*Article 9
Aninvention shallbeconsidered tobenewif,prior tothedateoffiling therequest forthe
grant ofapatent (hereinafter referred toas"thepatent application"), itdidnotformpartofthestate
oftheart.
Aninvention shallbeconsidered toform partofthestateoftheartif:
1. Itwasmade available tothepublic bypublication, exhibition, demonstration oruse
insuchawayastoenable persons skilled inthearttoapply it;
2. Itisnotdifferent from thesubject matter ofapplications earlier filedeither inthe
Republic ofSlovenia orabroad inrespect ofwhich theprotection isapplied forinthe
Republic ofSlovenia which aremade available tothepublic afterthedateoffiling
oftherespective patent application.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page5
Article 10
However, information onthestateoftheartwhich might affect theevaluation ofthenovelty
oftheinvention applied forshallnotbetaken intoconsideration ifithasbeenmade available tothe
public:
1. Bypublication orother formofpublic presentation directly bytheinventor himself;
2. Byanyother patent application bythesame inventor which should nothavebecome
publicly available orbyanapplication byathird person whohasacquired such
information directly orindirectly fromtheinventor without hisknowledge orconsent;
3. Bytheactions ofthirdpersons whohaveacquired theinformation directly orindirectly
from theinventor.
Thefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallonlyapply where theinformation hasbecome publicly
available noearlier than12months before thefiling oftheapplication orthedateofapriority right.
Article 11
Aninvention shallbeconsidered tobetheresult ofcreative work ataninventive levelif,having
regard tothestateoftheart,thesolution tothetechnical problem isnotobvious toaperson skilled
intheart.
Aninvention shallbeconsidered industrially applicable ifitistechnically feasible andcanbe
applied inindustry oranyother activity.
Article 12
Thefollowing maynotbeprotected byapatent:
1. Inventions, thepublication oruseofwhich would becontrary tolawormorality;
2. Inventions ofsurgical ordiagnostic methods ormethods oftreatment practised onthe
human oranimal body, withtheexception ofinventions relating tosubstances foruse
inanyofthese methods.
Article 13
Anaddition toaninvention oranimprovement ofaninvention maybeprotected byapatent
ofaddition.
2. Model anddesign rights
Article 14
Perceivable newshapes ofindustrial andhandicraft products orpartsthereof shallbeprotected
bymodel rights.
Perceivablenewpicturesordrawingswhichcanbetransferredtoindustrialorhandicraftproducts
orparts thereof shallbeprotected bydesign rights.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page6
Photographic andcartographic works, technical plans andsketches maynotqualify formodel
ordesign rights.
Article 15
Ashape, picture ordrawing shallbeconsidered newwithin themeaning ofthisLawifitis
essentially different from those applied forearlier orfrom those made available tothepublic within
theRepublic ofSlovenia prior tothefiling oftheapplication, withtheexception ofthose forwhich
theapplication hadbeenwithdrawn before thedecision tograntthemodel ordesign rightwaspublished.
Thefactthatashape, picture ordrawing wasmade available tothepublic without theauthor 's
consent noearlier thansixmonths before thefiling oftheapplication shallnotbetaken intoconsideration
forthepurpose ofevaluating thenovelty oftheshape, picture ordrawing.
Article 16
Model ordesign rights maynotbegranted toashape, picture ordrawing:
1. Publication oruseofwhich would becontrary tolawormorality;
2. Which contains aState orother official armorial bearing, flagoremblem, orname
orabbreviation ofthename ofacountry orinternational organization, orimitations
thereof, except byapproval ofthecompetent authority oftherespective country or
organization;
3. Which represents animage ofaperson, except byconsent ofthatperson.
Theimage ofadeceased person maybeprotected onlywiththeconsent ofthespouse and
children ofthedeceased; iftheparents ofthedeceased areliving, theirconsent shallbenecessary
aswell.
Theimage ofahistorical personage orother deceased personality maybeprotected withthe
permission oftheMinistry responsible foradministration.
3. Trade marks andservice marks
Article 17
Trade marks oraservice marks (hereinafter referred toas"marks") shallprotect asignwhich
isintended fordistinguishing thesame orsimilar kinds ofgoods orservices inthecourse oftrade.
Seals, stamps andhallmarks (official marks identifying precious metals, measures, etc.)shall
notbeconsidered asmarks within themeaning ofthisLaw.
Article 18
Onlyasignwhich iscapable ofdistinguishing goods andservices inthecourse oftrade, such
aspictures, drawings, words, expressions, vignettes, numbers, combinations ofsuchsigns, aswell
ascombinations ofcolours, maybeprotected asamark.
Inevaluating whether asigniscapable ofdistinguishing goods orservices inthecourse of
trade, allcircumstances, inparticular theduration andscope oftheuseofthesigninmarketing goods
andservices intheRepublic ofSlovenia, shallbetaken intoaccount.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page7
Article 19
Nosignmaybeprotected asamark:
1. Which iscontrary tolawormorality;
2. Which isnotcapable ofdistinguishing goods andservices inthecourse oftrade;
3. Which merely designates thekindofproduct orservice, orthepurpose forwhich they
serve, thetimeormethod ofproduction, quality, price, quantity, weight, name ofplace
orgeographical origin;
4. Which iscustomary forthedesignation ofspecific kinds ofgoods orservices;
5. Which may, byitsformorcontent, create confusion inthemarket and,inparticular,
mislead anaverage consumer withregard totheorigin, kind, quality orotherproperties
ofthegoods orservices;
6. Which isidentical withanalready protected signbelonging toanother person and
relating tothesame orsimilar kinds ofgoods orservices;
7. Which issimilar toanalready protected signbelonging toanother person andrelating
tothesame orsimilar kinds ofgoods orservices, ifthesimilarity could mislead an
average consumer;
8. Which contains official signs andhallmarks forcontrolling orguaranteeing thequality
ofgoods, orimitations thereof;
9. Which contains aState orother armorial bearing, flagoremblem, orthename or
abbreviationofthenameofacountryorinternationalorganization,orimitationsthereof,
except withtheapproval oftheauthorities oftherespective country ororganization.
Theimage orname ofaperson maybeprotected onlywiththeconsent ofthatperson.
Theimage orname ofadeceased person maybeprotected onlywiththeconsent ofthespouse
andchildren ofthedeceased; iftheparents ofthedeceased arealive, theirconsent shallbenecessary
aswell.
Theimage orname ofahistorical personage orother personality maybeprotected withthe
permission oftheMinistry responsible foradministration.
*Article 20
Ifamark consists ofwords orletters oracombination ofwords andletters, theprotection
shallcover those words, letters orcombinations thereof, transcripts andtransliterations thereof, written
inanyscript, inanycolour, orrepresented inanyother way.
Article 21
Amarkwhich contains inscriptions, words orcombinations ofletters shallnotpreclude another
person from marketing hisgoods andservices under thesame inscriptions, words, orcombinations
ofletters ifthose inscriptions, words orcombinations ofletters represent hisname, company name
ortitle,ifsuchhasbeenacquired ingood faith.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page8
Anyone whohasaname, company name ortitleidentical withamark atthetimeofthe
application forregistration ofsuchmark, maycontest theright tousesuchamark forthesame or
similar kinds ofgoods orservices, except iftheowner ofthemark had,atthetimeoffiling the
application, thesame name, company name ortitle.
*Article 22
Asignprotected asamark shallnotpreclude another person fromusing thesame orasimilar
signinthecourse oftradetoidentify goods andservices ofadifferent kind, except when theprotected
signisawell-known mark.
Protection ofthesame signmayberequested forseveral kinds ofgoods andservices andof
several different signs forthesame kinds ofgoods andservices.
Article 23
Associations oflegalandnatural persons, chambers, business associations, asalsocommunes
andlarger local communities andState authorities mayprotect aspecific signasacollective mark.
Aspecific signmayalsobeprotected asacollective mark alsobyaforeign legalperson, subject
tothisLawandtoanyconventions.
Article 24
Theperson requesting protection foracollective mark must submit, withtheapplication, a
general instrument governing thegrant oftherighttousethecollective mark. Thegeneral instrument
referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle must contain: thecompany name ortrading name
oftheapplicant andthename oftheauthority orperson authorized torepresent theapplicant; provisions
relating tothepersons entitled tousethecollective mark andtheconditions ofsuchuse;provisions
concerning therights andobligations ofusers ofacollective mark intheevent ofinfringement, as
alsoprovisions concerning themeasures andconsequences intheevent ofviolation oftheprovisions
ofthegeneral instrument.
4. Appellations oforigin
Article 25
Geographical names ofproducts, whose distinctive properties aremainly duetothelocation
orregion where theyareproduced, ifsuchproperties areanatural consequence ofeither theclimate
orsoilorofestablished manufacturing procedures orprocesses, shallbeprotected byappellations of
origin.
Thename ofaproduct which hasbecome generally known through long-term useinthecourse
oftrade asanindication thattheproduct originates from acertain location orregion mayalsobe
protected byanappellation oforigin.
Article 26
Geographical names which havebecome generally known through long-term useinthecourse
oftrade asdesignations forcertain kinds ofproducts maynotbeprotected byappellations oforigin.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page9
Article 27
Appellations oforigin maybeusedtodesignate natural produce, agricultural produce, industrial
products andhandicraft products.
Geographical names ofproducts protected byappellations oforigin maynotbeemployed as
generic orcommon names.
Article 28
TheOffice shallgranttherighttousetheappellation oforigin afterobtaining theexpert opinion
oftheChamber ofEconomy oftheRepublic ofSlovenia, which mustinclude: thegeographical name
oftheproduct tobeprotected bytheappellation oforigin; products which maybemarketed under
thatappellation oforigin; locations orregions inwhich products marketed under theappellation of
origin originate; production requirements aproduct must fulfil inorder tobemarketed under the
appellation oforigin; therequired marking ofproducts andfurther detailed requirements forgrant
oftherighttousetheappellations oforigin.
Article 29
Anappellation oforigin shallbeestablished byentering thegeographical name andkindof
product towhich thename relates intheregister ofappellations oforigin.
Anappellation oforigin ofaproduct mayalsobeestablished onbehalf ofaforeign person,
onthebasisofaninternational agreement onreciprocal protection ofappellations oforigin concluded
bytheRepublic ofSlovenia.
Article 30
Anappellation oforigin isacollective rightandmaybeusedassuchonlybythose whoproduce
ormarket theproduct forwhich anappellation oforigin hasbeenestablished.
Article 31
Persons notauthorized touseanappellation oforigin maynotusesuchappellation evenif
theyaddthewords "type", "style", "fashion", "produced as"orsimilar words.
III.SCOPE OFRIGHTS
*Article 32
Theholder ofapatent, model ordesign rightshallbeentitled to:
1. Exclusively work theprotected invention, shape, picture ordrawing;
2. Exclusively market anyproducts manufactured inaccordance withtheprotected
invention, shape, picture ordrawing;
3. Dispose ofthepatent, model ordesign right;
4. Prohibit working oftheprotected invention, model ordesign, andlegaltransactions
inrespect ofthem, byanyperson nothaving hisconsent.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page10
Therights conferred byapatented invention shallnotextend to:
1. Actsdoneprivately andfornon-commercial purposes;
2. Actsdoneforresearch andexperimental purposes ofanykindrelating tothesubject
matter ofthepatented invention irrespective oftheirfinalpurpose;
3. Theextemporaneous preparation forindividual cases inapharmacy ofamedicine in
accordance withamedical prescription oractsconcerning themedicine soprepared;
4. Theuseonboard vessels ofother countries oftheUnion ofParis fortheProtection
ofIndustrial Property ofthepatented invention, inthebody ofthevessel, inthe
machinery, tackle, gearandother accessories, when such vessels temporarily or
accidentally enter thewaters oftheRepublic ofSlovenia, provided thattheinvention
isusedthere exclusively fortheneeds ofthevessel;
5. Theuseofthepatented invention intheconstruction oroperation ofaircraft orland
vehicles ofother countries orofaccessories tosuchaircraft orlandvehicles, when
these temporarily oraccidentally enter theterritory oftheRepublic ofSlovenia;
6. Theactsspecified inArticle 27oftheConvention oninternational civilaviation of
7December 1944, where these actsconcern theaircrafts ofaState benefiting from
theprovisions ofthatArticle.
Article 33
Patent protection granted inrespect ofaprocess, shallalsoextend tosubstances andproducts
obtained directly bythatprocess.
Article 34
Theholder ofamark shallhavetheexclusive right tousethemark inthecourse oftrade
designate hisproducts orservices, andtheusers ofacollective mark shallhavetherighttousethe
mark inaccordance withthegeneral instrument referred toinArticle 24ofthisLaw.
Therightreferred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallalsoinclude theuseofthemark
onpackaging materials, incatalogues, brochures, instruction manuals, advertisements, invoices and
incorrespondence.
Themarks referred toinitems (8)and(9)ofArticle 19ofthisLawandtheimages ornames
ofhistorical orother personages maybecommercially exploited withtheapproval ofthecompetent
State authority.
Article 35
Theauthorized userofaprotected appellation oforigin shallhavetherighttousethatappellation
inthecourse oftrade formarking products towhich thatappellation refers.
Theright referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallalsoinclude theuseofthe
protected appellation oforigin onthematerials anddocuments inconnection withmarks mentioned
inthesecond paragraph ofArticle 34ofthisLaw.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page11
Article 36
Therights under Articles 32and34ofthisLawshallaccrue from thegrant andregistration
oftherightintheappropriate register andshalltakeeffect asfromthedateoffiling ofanapplication
indueform.
Theperson filing anapplication forapatent, model right, design rightormark shallacquire
therights under Articles 32and34ofthisLaw, onaprovisional basis, asfrom thedateoffiling the
application indueform.
*Article 374
Thetermofapatent shallbe20years from thedateoffiling theapplication.
Thetermofamodel ordesign rightshallbe10years asfromthedateoffiling theapplication.
Thetermofamark shallbe10years asfrom thedateoffiling theapplication andmaybe
renewed anunlimited number oftimes.
Thetermofprotection foranappellation oforigin shallbeunlimited.
Ifapatent ofaddition hasbecome abasic patent, itmaynotlastlonger thantheoriginal basic
patent would havelasted. Apatent ofaddition shallexpire when thebasic patent expires.
Theduration ofuninterrupted termofapatent canbeextended over20years, butnotformore
thanfiveyears, inthefollowing cases:
1. Inorder totakeaccount ofastateofwarorsimilar emergency conditions affecting
thestate;
2. Ifthesubject matter ofthepatent isaproduct oraprocess ofmanufacturing aproduct
orauseofaproduct which hastoundergo anadministrative procedure required by
lawbefore itcanbeputonthemarket.
TheMinisterresponsibleforScienceandTechnologyshallissueregulationsspecifyingingreater
detail thecarrying outofthesixth paragraph ofthisArticle.
Article 38
Theholder ofamark shallhavetheobligation tousethemark.
Article 39
Thegrant andmaintenance ofindustrial property rights under thisLawshallbesubject tothe
payment offeesandthecostofpublication andother services shallalsobepaid.
4According toArticle 23ofLASLIP, theextension ofpatent protection pursuant totheprovisions
ofthesixth paragraph ofthisArticle applies onlytopatents filedonorafter1January 1993.
According toArticle 25ofLASLIP, theMinister responsible forscience andtechnology shallissue
theregulations mentioned inthelastparagraph ofthisArticle within thetime-limit of12months as
ofthedatewhen LASLIP entered intoforce, i.e.until13July1994.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page12
Failure topayprocedural feesorcosts dueforthegrant ofrights shallentail rejection ofthe
application, andthenon-payment offeesforthemaintenance ofagranted rightorthenon-payment
offeesfollowing areminder within thegrace period ofsixmonths shallentail forfeiture oftheright.
When thefeesreferred tointhesecond paragraph ofthisArticle arepaidwithin thegrace
period, asurcharge forlatepayment shallalsobepaid.
TheGovernment oftheRepublic ofSlovenia shalllaydown regulations setting theamount
ofthefeesandcosts referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle.
Article 40
Notwithstanding theterms laiddown inArticle 37ofthisLaw, rights under thatArticle shall
expire:
1. Iftheholder renounces hisright, onthedayfollowing thedateonwhich notification
isreceived bytheOffice;
2. Iffeesandcostsarenotpaid, onthedayfollowing thedateonwhich thefeesbecome
due;
3. Pursuant toadecision ofthecourt oroftheOffice inthose cases provided forbythis
Law, onthedatespecified insuchdecision;
4. Ifthelegalperson thatistheholder oftherightceases toexistorifthenatural person
thatistheholder oftherightdies,onthedateonwhich theholder ceases toexistor
dies,except iftherighthasbeentransferred tothelegalsuccessors ofthelegalperson
ortotheheirs ofthenatural person.
Article 41
Ifalicence, pledge oranyother rightisentered intheregister ofgranted rights inthename
ofanother person, theholder ofthepatent, themodel ordesign right, orthemark maynotrenounce
hisrights without written consent from theperson inwhose name thelicence, pledge orother right
isentered.
Iftheholder ofthepatent, themodel ordesign right, orthemark failstopaytheprescribed
feewithin thesetterm, andalicence, pledge oranother righthasbeenentered intheregister inthe
name ofanother person, theOffice shallinform thatperson thatthefeehasnotbeenpaidandthat
hemaypaythefeewithin sixmonths from thedateofthenotification ifhewishes tomaintain the
validity oftheregistered right.
Intheevent ofadispute concerning theregistered rights ofsuchother person, thecourt may,
ifdeemed essential forsafeguarding those rights, decide thatthepatent, themodel ordesign right,
orthemark betransferred totheperson, inwhose name thelicence, pledge orother rightisregistered.
Article 42
Ifamark lapses under theprovisions ofitem(2)ofArticle 40ofthisLaw, theholder ofthe
mark shallhavetheright torequest, within aperiod ofoneyearfollowing thedateofthelapse of
themark, thatthemark beregistered again inhisname forthesame kindofgoods orservices.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page13
Article 43
Thefiling ofanapplication forapatent, model rightordesign right, asalsothedecision to
grant apatent, model rightordesign right, shallnotaffect theright ofanyother person toexploit,
without anyobligation, thesame invention, shape ofproduct, picture ordrawing if,prior tothefiling
oftheapplication, hehadbeenexploiting thatinvention, shape ofproduct, picture ordrawing inthe
Republic ofSlovenia ingood faithandinprivate, orhadmade thenecessary preparations fortheir
exploitation.
IV.PROCEDURE FOR THE GRANT OFRIGHTS
1. General provisions
Article 44
Theprocedure forthegrant ofapatent, model right, design rightormark shallcommence
withthefiling ofadocument comprising arequest forgrantoftheright, together withtheotheressential
items prescribed bythisLaw(hereinafter referred toas"theapplication").
Aseparate application shallbefiledforeachinvention, shape, picture, drawing orsign. A
patent application maycover several inventions, provided thattheyareclosely related insuchaway
astoform asingle inventive concept. Amodel ordesign application maycover several models or
designs applicable toproducts belonging toasingle classoftheInternational Classification forIndustrial
Designs.
Thedateandnumber ofreceipt oftheapplication attheOffice shallbenoted ontheapplication
andacertificate tothateffect shallbeissued totheapplicant.
Theprocedure forgrant ofanappellation oforigin shallcommence withawritten request for
grant ofprotection forthegeographical name ofaproduct. Thisrequest maybefiledbyaState
authority,commune,largerlocalcommunity,interestedbusinessassociationorbythechambercompetent
fortherespective location orregion.
Article 45
Asfrom thedateofreceipt attheOffice ofacorrect application forapatent, model right,
design right, trade mark orservice mark, theapplicant shallhavepriority overanyother person who
subsequently filesanapplication forthesame invention, shape, picture, drawing orsign.
Thepriority rightforapplications senttotheOffice bySlovenian citizens temporarily domiciled
abroad, through adiplomatic orconsular representative oftheRepublic ofSlovenia orthrough a
diplomatic orconsular representative ofacountry representing theinterests oftheRepublic ofSlovenia,
shall begin asofthedateonwhich suchapplication wasreceived bythediplomatic orconsular
representative.
Article 46
Apatent application maynotbesubstantially modified bysubsequently broadening thesubject
matter inrespect ofwhich protection issought.
Where anapplication hasbeenfiledforamodel right, design rightormark, itshallnotbe
subsequently permissible tomodify substantially theshape, picture, drawing orsignortosupplement
thelistofgoods orservices.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page14
Article 47
Anyone whoexhibits aninvention, shape ofproduct, picture ordrawing, orwhousesaspecific
mark formarking goods orservices, atanofficially recognized exhibition orfairofinternational nature
intheRepublic ofSlovenia orother country member oftheInternational Union fortheProtection of
Industrial Property may,within threemonths following theclosing dateoftheexhibition orfair,claim
inhisapplication thepriority rightasofthefirstdayofshowing oftheinvention oruseofthedistinctive
sign.
Awritten certificate issued byacompetent authority ofthecountry member oftheInternational
Union fortheProtection ofIndustrial Property shallbesubmitted withtheapplication referred toin
thefirstparagraph ofthisArticle attesting totheofficially recognized international nature ofthe
exhibition orfairandstating thetypeofexhibition orfair,theplace atwhich itwasheld, theopening
andclosing dates andthefirstdayofexhibition oruse.
Certificates attesting thatanexhibition orfairheldintheRepublic ofSlovenia isanofficially
recognized exhibition orfairofaninternational nature shallbeissued bytheChamber ofEconomy
oftheRepublic ofSlovenia.
Article 48
Anynational oracountry member oftheInternational Union fortheProtection ofIndustrial
Property, whohasfiledacorrect firstapplication inanycountry member oftheUnion, shallbeafforded
apriority rightintheRepublic ofSlovenia, which forpatents shallbe12months and,formodel rights,
design rights ormarks sixmonths, following thefiling dateoftheoriginal application.
Anyone whointends toinvoke theright ofpriority referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthis
Article must quote intheapplication filedintheRepublic ofSlovenia, within thedeadline stated in
thefirstparagraph ofthisArticle, alldataconcerning theapplication referred toandinclude atranscript
oftheapplication, certified bythecompetent authority inthecountry member oftheInternational Union
fortheProtection ofIndustrial Property inwhich theoriginal application wasfiled, within threemonths
following thefiling oftherequest forpriority.
Iftheapplicant invokes thepriority rightofautility model application, hemayinvoke iteither
forapatent application orforamodel rightordesign rightapplication. However, thisshallapply
onlywithin thetime-limit laiddown inthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle.
Article 49
Therecognition ofapriority rightunder Article 47ofthisLawshallnotextend thetime-limits
laiddown inArticle 48ofthisLaw.
Article 50
Intheevent ofadispute concerning infringement ofarightderiving fromanapplication, the
applicant mayrequest theOffice togivepriority totheprocedure concerning hisapplication.
Therequest forthepriority procedure maybefilednoearlier thanthreemonths afterthefiling
dateoftheapplication.
Intheevent ofadispute asreferred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle, theapplicant for
apatent shall follow theprocedure setoutinthesecond paragraph ofArticle 68andinthethirdIP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page15
paragraph ofArticle 71ofthisLaw; theapplicant forashort-term patent shallfollow onlytheprocedure
setoutinthesecond paragraph ofArticle 68ofthisLaw.
Article 51
Theapplication shallcontain particulars oftheapplicant andoftherightforwhich protection
issought.
Furthermore, thepatent application shallcontain thetitleoftheinvention, defining itssubject
matter, together withthename oftheinventor orastatement totheeffect thattheinventor doesnot
wishtobenamed intheapplication.
Article 52
Apatent application shallcomprise thefollowing basic items: adescription oftheinvention,
which shallinclude thepresentation oftheproblem, particulars ofthestateoftheartorofothersolutions
available bythattimeandtheirdeficiencies, together withadescription ofthenewsolution tothe
problem; oneormore claims relating tothesubject matter theapplicant wishes toprotect byapatent
(hereinafter referred toas"patent claims"); ashort summary ofthesubject matter oftheinvention
(hereinafter referred toas"theabstract") and,ifnecessary, oneormore drawings oftheinvention.
Allthedocuments comprising thepatent application shallbedrawn upinaccordance withtheregulations
issued pursuant tothisLaw.
Theinvention shallbedescribed withsufficient clarity anddetail toenable aperson skilled
inthearttoapply itinagiven field.
Thescope ofthepatent protection fortheinvention shallbedetermined bythescope ofthe
claims.
*Article 53
Anapplication foramodel ordesign rightshallcomprise thefollowing items: adescription
oftheshape, picture ordrawing together withaphotograph orsketch oftheshape, picture ordrawing.
Thedescription oftheshape, picture, drawing andthephotograph orthesketch oftheshape,
picture ordrawing shallclearly show thenovelty forwhich protection issought.
Anapplication foracollective mark shallbeaccompanied bythegeneral instrument referred
toinArticle 24ofthisLaw.
Anapplication foramark shallcomprise thesignandthelistofproducts inrespect ofwhich
theprotection isapplied for.
Article 54
Anapplication shallbedeemed correct interms ofthepreliminary procedure:
1. Iftheappropriate application feeshavebeenpaid;
2. Ifitisinaccordance withArticle 44,second paragraph, ofthisLaw;
3. Ifitcontains allthedataandappropriate basic items required under Articles 51,52,
firstparagraph, and/or 53,firstparagraph, ofthisLaw.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page16
Article 55
TheOffice shall, within aperiod ofthreemonths following thedateofreceipt oftheapplication,
examine whether itiscorrect within theterms ofArticle 54ofthisLaw.
Iftheapplication isfound tobeincorrect, theOffice shallinvite theapplicant inwriting, with
astatement ofthegrounds, toremedy alldeficiencies within aperiod ofnotlonger thantwomonths
following thedateofreceipt oftheinvitation.
TheOffice may,forjustified reasons, extend thetime-limit referred tointhesecond paragraph
ofthisArticle, upon theapplicant 'srequest, fornomore thanthree months.
Allapplications properly amended within thetime-limits referred tointhesecond andthird
paragraphs ofthisArticle shallenjoy thefiling dateofthefirstapplication.
Article 56
Iftheapplicant doesnot,within theprescribed time-limit, remedy alldeficiencies thathewas
required toremedy according toArticle 55,second paragraph, ofthisLawandtheapplication therefore
beprocessed, itshallberejected byadecision oftheOffice.
*Article 57
Forevery application thatiscorrect according toArticle 54ofthisLaw, theprocedure for
thegrant oftherespective rightshallbecontinued:
1. Forapatent -under special provisions governing theprocedure forthegrant ofpatents
(Article 68toArticle 86ofthisLaw);
2. Foramark, amodel oradesign -under theprovisions ofArticle 58ofthisLaw.
*Article 58
When thesubject matter oftheapplication foramodel oradesign obviously contradicts the
provisions ofArticle 16ofthisLaworwhen thesubject matter oftheapplication foramark obviously
contradicts theprovisions ofArticle 19ofthisLaworisidentical toawell-known mark, theapplication
shallberefused.
When thesubject matter oftheapplication foramodel ordesign doesnotobviously contradicts
theprovisions ofArticle 16ofthisLaworwhen thesubject matter oftheapplication foramark does
notobviously contradicts theprovisions ofArticle 19ofthisLawandisnotidentical toawell-known
mark, theOffice shallpublish therelevant dataontheapplication initsofficial bulletin.
After theexpiration ofthree months from thedateoftheabove publication, theOffice shall
issue adecision onthegrant andshallregister oftherespective right, provided thatnoopposition as
described inthefourth paragraph ofthisArticle isfiledwithin theOffice.
Within atime-limit ofthree months afterthedateofthesaidpublication, every person has
therighttofilewithin theOffice awritten opposition against issuing adecision bywhich therespective
model, design ormark isgranted. Theopposition must comprise theevidence totheeffect thatthe
respective shape ofthebody, picture, drawing orsigndoesnotfulfil theconditions forprotection as
provided forbythisLaw.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page17
Onthegrounds oftheopposition theOffice shallperform anexamination andthendecide
accordingly.
Article 59
Within thetime-limit of12months afterfiling, apatent application maybeconverted intoa
model right application, andviceversa, inthecourse oftheprocedure forgrant oftheright. The
applicantshallsubmitamodelrightorpatentapplication,asappropriate,withanyrequestforconversion.
Themodified application shallenjoy thepriority oftheoriginal patent ormodel rightapplication.
Iftheapplicant forapatent follows theprocedure setoutinthesecond paragraph ofArticle 68
ofthisLaw, thetime-limit referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shall beshortened, as
appropriate.
Article 60
Thegrant ofapatent, model right, design right, trademark orservice mark shallbeinfavour
oftheapplicant whowasfirsttofileanapplication.
Intheprocedure forgranting theright, theinventor mentioned assuchinthefirstcorrect patent
application shallbedeemed tobetheinventor orsuccessor intitle,andthecreator mentioned assuch
inthefirstcorrect model ordesign rightapplication shallbedeemed tobetheauthor oftheshape,
drawing orpicture, orhissuccessor intitle,except when theapplication states otherwise orwhen a
competent court rules otherwise.
Article 61
Ifseveral persons jointly fileanapplication forapatent, model ordesign right, thedecision
shallgrant thestatus ofpatentee orholder ofthemodel ordesign righttoeachoftheapplicants.
Thedecision referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle maynotruleonthemutual rights
oftheapplicants.
Article 62
Adecision ofrefusal oradecision ofpartial acceptance ofanapplication forthegrant ofa
rightmaynotbeissued bytheOffice ifithasnotpreviously notified theapplicant inwriting ofthe
reasons whytherequested rightmaynotbegranted ormaynotbegranted intherequested scope and
iftheapplicant hasnotbeeninvited toreacttothereasons within aprescribed timelimitortochange
oramend thesubmitted application.
Thetime-limit referred tointhisArticle maybeextended uponjustified request bytheapplicant,
foruptosixmonths.
*Article 63
Thedecision onthegrant oftherightshallbemade:
1. Forpatents -within thescope oftheclaims;
2. Formodels anddesigns -within thescope ofdeclared characteristics inthedescription,
photograph ordrawing;IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page18
3. Formarks -within thescope oftheproposed signandlistofgoods orservices.
Article 64
Thescope ofprotection shallbedetermined bythedecision referred toinArticle 63ofthis
Lawasfollows:
1. Forpatents -according totheaccepted claims;
2. Formodels anddesigns -according totheaccepted shape oraccepted picture or
drawing, asprovided intheaccepted description together withaphotograph orsketch;
3. Formarks -according totheaccepted signandlistofgoods orservices.
Article 65
Thegranted protection forinventions anddistinctive signs ortheright touseprotected
appellations oforigin, andalsotheapplications filedforpatents, models, designs andmarks, shall
beentered bytheOffice inthecorresponding register.
Thefollowing dataontheholder oftherightshallbeentered intheregister referred tointhe
firstparagraph ofthisArticle: surname andforename, orcompany name andtitle; occupation or
fieldofactivity; address orheadquarters; name ofinventor orcreator; dateoffiling oftheapplication;
priority right; dateofpublication oftheapplication; dateofthedecision onthegrant oftheright;
anddateofregistration.
Allsubsequent changes relating totheholder oftherightortherightitself (decision onthe
grant oftheright, transfer ofright, contractual licence, compulsory licence, pledge, declaration of
invalidation ofadecision, termination ofright, etc.)shallbeentered intheregister.
*Article 66
TheOffice shallmaintain thefollowing registers: register ofpatents, register ofmodels and
designs, register ofmarks, andregister ofappellations oforigin.
Alltheregisters referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallbeopentothepublic.
TheMinister ofScience andTechnology shallissue regulations specifying ingreater detail
thedatatobeentered intheregister, thedatatobeincluded inthecertificate referred tointheprovisions
ofArticle 67,firstparagraph, ofthisLaw, thedatatobepublished inaccordance withArticle 68,
firstparagraph, ofthisLaw, aswellasfurther regulations related totheprocedure fortherecognition
ofrights.
Article 67
After therighthasbeenentered inthecorresponding register, theOffice shallissuetotheholder
oftherightacertificate containing particulars oftherightgranted, theholder oftheright, thepriority
right, theentry intheregister, thepublication ofthedecision onthegrant oftheright, together with
theissuance ofthecertificate andother prescribed data.
Theparticulars oftherights ininventions anddistinctive signs thatareentered intheregister
andsubsequent decisions relating tothose rights shallbepublished intheOfficial Gazette oftheOffice.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page19
2. Special provisions ontheprocedure forthegrant ofpatents
Article 68
Theabstract ofthepatent application, accompanied where appropriate byoneormoredrawings,
shallbepublished intheOfficial Gazette oftheOffice after18months asfrom thefiling dateofthe
application orfrom thedateoftheclaimed priority right. Theapplication initsintegral form shall
beavailable toanyinterested party onpublication oftheabstract.
Theapplicant mayrequest thattheapplication bepublished before theexpiration oftheterm
referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle, buttheapplication maynotbepublished earlier than
threemonths fromthedateoffiling withtheOffice orfromthedateofreceipt intheOffice ofacorrect
application.
Article 69
Where apatent application evidently doesnotcomply withtheprovisions ofArticles 8and
12ofthisLaw, itshallberefused.
Article 70
Thepatent shallbegranted andentered intheregister ofpatents asfromthedateofpublication
ofthepatent application. Thedecision relating tothegranted patent shallbeissued bytheOffice
provided thattheapplicant haspaidtheprescribed feesandprinting costsforthepatent document within
theprescribed time-limit.
Aseparate patent document shallbeprinted foreachpatent.
Article 71
Thepatentee ortheholder ofanexclusive licence shallberequired tosubmit written evidence
thatthepatented invention satisfies therequirements ofArticles 8,9and11ofthisLaw, notlaterthan
thedateofexpiration oftheninth yearofthepatent term.
Ifthepatentee ortheholder ofanexclusive licence failstoactinaccordance withtheprovisions
inthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle, thevalidity ofthepatent shallexpire atthelatest onthedateof
expiration ofthetenth yearofthepatent term.
Ifthepatentee ortheholder ofanexclusive licence forthepatent suesathirdperson forpatent
infringement, shallbeobliged tosubmit thewritten evidence referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthis
Article. Insuchcase, theOffice shallbeobliged todealwiththematter immediately andtoissue
adecision inaccordance withArticle 73ofthisLaw.
Article 72
Thefollowing documents shallbeconsidered evidence asreferred toinArticle 71ofthisLaw:
1. Apatent forthesame invention granted inasubstantive examination procedure by
anynational orinternational patent office which, according toArticle 32ofPatent
Cooperation Treaty, enjoys thestatus ofInternational Preliminary Examining Authority
orbyanyotherpatent office withwhich acorresponding agreement hasbeenconcluded;IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page20
2. Asearch report ontheexamination ofnovelty issued byaninstitution which, according
toArticle 16ofthePatent Cooperation Treaty, enjoys thestatus ofanInternational
SearchingAuthorityorbyanyotherpatentofficewithwhichacorrespondingagreement
hasbeenconcluded.
Article 73
Onthebasisofthesubmitted documentary evidence, theOffice shallestablish towhatextent
thesubject matter andthescope oftheclaims fulfil theconditions referred toinArticles 8,9and11
ofthisLawandissue oneofthefollowing decisions:
1. Adecision onthegrant ofrights stating thattheinvention protected bythepatent fulfils
theconditions asreferred toinArticles 8,9and11ofthisLawandthattheclaim or
claims entirely satisfy those requirements;
2. Adecision onthegrant ofrights stating thattheinvention onlypartially satisfies the
requirements ofArticles 8,9and11,which correspondingly implies thenarrowing
ofthescope oftheclaim orclaims;
3. Adeclaration ofrevocation ofthedecision ifthepatent didnotsatisfy therequirements
forprotection onthedatetheapplication wasfiled.
*Article 74
Theprovisions ofArticles 59and76shallnotapply topatent applications filedabroad according
tothethirdparagraph ofArticle 4ofthisLaw.
Forapatent, valid intheRepublic ofSlovenia onthebasis ofanapplication filedabroad in
accordance withthethirdparagraph ofArticle 4ofthisLaw, theprovisions ofArticles 71and72of
thisLawshallbedeemed tobefulfilled, ifitwasgranted afterafullsubstantive examination bya
foreign oraninternational patent office having, according toArticle 32ofthePatent Cooperation Treaty,
thestatus ofanInternational Preliminary Examining Authority. Thedecision onthegrant inrespect
ofsuchapatent isdeemed tobeadecision ontherecognition ofrights within themeaning ofArticle 73
ofthisLaw.
*Article 75
Theprovisions ofArticle 44andthethirdparagraph ofArticle 66ofthisLawshallalsoapply
totheprocedure forthegrantofshort-term patents, patents ofaddition andpatents forsecret inventions,
unless otherwise provided forbyprovisions ofthisLawpertaining tosuchpatents.
Short-Term Patents
Article 76
With theexception ofprocesses, animal andplant varieties, thefollowing inventions canbe
protected byashort-term patent:
1. Inventions which arepatentable according tothisLaw;
2. Inventions which arenew, susceptible ofindustrial application andaretheresult of
acreative effort.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page21
Thetermofashort-term patent shallbe10years fromthedateoffiling ofthepatent application.
Ashort-term patent canberequested when filing theapplication orwithin aperiod of12months
afterthefiling date, atthelatest. When thistermhasexpired, therequest shallbeirrevocable.
Articles 71,72and73ofthisLawshallnotapply toshort-term patents.
Patents ofAddition
Article 77
Anapplicant orpatentee whosupplements orimproves aninvention forwhich anapplication
hasalready beenfiledorapatent granted (hereinafter referred toas"thebasic patent application",
or"thebasic patent") shallhavetherighttorequest apatent ofaddition within aperiod of18months
following thefiling dateofthebasic application.
Unless otherwise provided bythisLaw, withdrawal ofthebasic application shallcancel the
application procedure forthepatent ofaddition.
Apatent ofaddition cannot berequested inrelation toashort-term patent.
Article 78
Atthepatentee 'srequest, theOffice shallissue adecision bywhich thepatent ofaddition is
declared abasic patent ifthegrant ofthebasic patent hasbeenrevoked orthebasic patent haslapsed.
Therequest referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle mustbefiledwithin three months
following thedateonwhich thedecision onrevocation ofthebasic patent hasbecome finalorthedate
onwhich ithaslapsed.
Article 79
Ifapatent ofaddition isdeclared abasic patent, other patents ofaddition mayberelated to
thenewbasic patent aspatents ofaddition, attherequest ofthepatentee.
Patents forSecret Inventions
Article 80
Patent applications bydomestic legal ornatural persons which relate tothedefense ofthe
Republic ofSlovenia shallbedeemed secret andshallbefiledwiththeMinistry responsible fordefence.
Noappeal liefromdecisions oftheMinistry responsible fordefence, issued inanadministrative
procedure inconnection withasecret invention.
Article 81
IftheMinistry responsible fordefence finds thattheinvention should notbedeemed secret,
theapplication shallbeforwarded totheOffice, which shalldealwithitinaccordance withtheprovisions
ofthisLaw.
Article 82IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page22
If,afterapatent forasecret invention hasbeengranted, theMinistry responsible fordefence
findsthattheinvention should nolonger bedeemed secret, thecomplete filerelating tothepatent shall
beforwarded totheOffice. Upon receipt ofsuchfile,theOffice shallenter thepatent intheregister,
issue apatent certificate tothepatentee andpublish theparticulars ofthepatent inaccordance with
Article 67,second paragraph, ofthisLaw.
Article 83
TheMinistry responsible fordefence shallhavetheexclusive right towork anddispose of
secret inventions.
Therightful claimant toasecret invention protected byapatent shallbeentitled toalump
sumascompensation regardless ofthescope oftheuseoftheinvention fortheneeds ofnational defence.
Theamount ofcompensation referred tointhesecond paragraph ofthisArticle shallbeagreed
upon bytheapplicant andbytheMinistry responsible fordefence. Ifagreement cannot bereached,
theapplicant shallbeentitled torequest acompetent court todetermine, inextrajudicial proceedings,
theamount ofcompensation.
Article 84
Thepatent forasecret invention shallnotbepublished.
Domestic legalandnatural persons mayseekprotection forasecret invention abroad onlywith
theapproval oftheMinistry responsible fordefence.
Article 85
Theprovisions ofArticles 80to84ofthisLawshallbeapplied mutatis mutandis topatent
applications filedbydomestic legalandnatural persons which concern national security.
TheMinisterresponsiblefortheinteriorshallbecompetenttodecideontheapplicationsreferred
tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle.
Article 86
IftheOffice receives anapplication foraninvention itdeems tobeasecret invention, itshall
notify theapplicant onthematter andinvite himtoexpress hisviews onthefindings within the
time-limit. Iftheapplicant agrees withthefindings oftheOffice, theapplication shallbeforwarded
forfurther consideration totheMinistry responsible fordefence.
Iftheapplicant doesnotagree withthefindings oftheOffice andsubstantiates hisopinion
withevidence thatisaccepted bytheOffice, theOffice shallresume theprocedure forthegrant of
thepatent inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisLaw.
Iftheapplicant doesnotagree withthefindings oftheOffice andfailstosubstantiate hisopinion
orfailstosubstantiate itwithsufficient evidence, theOffice shallissueadecision onitsincompetence
andforward theapplication totheMinistry responsible fordefence.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page23
V.INVALIDATION OFRIGHTS AND CANCELLATION OFMARKS
1. Invalidation ofrights
Article 87
State authorities, associations oflegalandnatural persons andanydomestic orforeign legal
ornatural person mayinstitute anaction forinvalidation ofapatent, model right, design rightormark.
Theplaintiff must submit evidence tothecourt showing thatonthedateoffiling oftheapplication
theconditions fortheprotection oftherightinquestion under thisLawwere notfulfilled.
Action forinvalidation ofapatent under thefirstparagraph ofthisArticle mayalsobeinstituted
when adecision onthegrant ofrights hasbeenissued inaccordance withitems (1)and(2)ofArticle 73
ofthisLaworwhere theinvention hasnotbeendescribed inaccordance withthesecond paragraph
ofArticle 52ofthisLaw.
Article 88
Thecourt shallimmediately notify theOffice oftheinstitution ofanaction forinvalidation
ofrights.
Thecourt shallcommunicate thefinaljudgement totheOffice forexecution.
TheOffice shallissue adecision inexecution ofthefinaljudgement.
Article 89
Ifaperson instituting anaction forinvalidation ofrights withdraws hisaction during the
procedure, thecourtshallimmediately notify theOffice thereof. Insuchcase,theOffice shallbeentitled
toenter intothelitigation asaplaintiff.
TheOffice shallberequired tonotify thecourt ofitsdecision toenterintothelitigation within
three months following receipt ofthenotice ofwithdrawal oftheaction concerned.
2. Cancellation ofmarks
Article 90
Iftheholder ofatrade mark orservice mark, failstousethemark, without justified reason,
todesignate thegoods orservices towhich itrelates formore thanfiveyears asfrom thedateof
registration ofthemark orasfromthedateonwhich themark waslastseriously andeffectively used,
aninterested party mayrequest thatadecision betaken tocancel themark. Suchdecisions shallapply
totheproducts andservices inregard ofwhich itisestablished, under theprocedure following such
arequest, thatthemark relating tothem hadnotbeenusedintheRepublic ofSlovenia.
Therighttouseacollective mark mayalsobeterminated ifitsuseiscontrary tothegeneral
instrument laying down theconditions governing therighttousethecollective mark.
Article 91
Theperson requesting thecancellation ofamark shallsubmit awritten request tothateffect
totheOffice. TheOffice thereupon shallnotify thelegalornatural person entered intheregister of
marks astheholder ofthemark forwhich cancellation isrequested.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page24
Iftheholder ofthemark failstofileanappeal, within aperiod ofthree months asfrom the
dateofreceipt oftherequest forthecancellation ofthemark, theOffice shallcancel themark and
issue adecision under thefirstparagraph ofArticle 90ofthisLaw.
Iftheholder ofthemark objects tothecancellation, within theprescribed time-limit, theOffice
thereupon shallnotify theparty requesting cancellation ofthemark andshallrefer thecasetothe
competent court. TheOffice shallissueadecision under thefirstparagraph ofArticle 90ofthisLaw
onthebasis ofthefinaljudgement byacompetent court establishing non-use ofthemark.
Under theprocedure forcancellation ofamark, itshallbefortheholder ofthemarktoestablish
thatheusesit.
Amark shallbenullandvoidasofthedateonwhich thedecision tocancel themark isissued.
Article 92
Iftheperson submitting arequest forcancellation ofamark withdraws hisrequest during the
procedure, theOffice mayproceed exofficio orupon therequest oftheholder ofthemark.
VI.LEGAL PROTECTION
1. Protection ofrights
*Article 93
Anyperson whoinfringes arightinaninvention, picture, drawing ormark inrespect ofwhich
protection hasbeensought orgranted, orwhousesaprotected geographical name ofaproduct without
authorization, shallbeliable foranydamages inaccordance withthegeneral principles governing
compensation fordamages.
Aperson whose righthasbeeninfringed may, inaddition todamages, request thattheperson
infringing hisrightbeprohibited from carrying ontheinfringing acts.
Where suchinfringement iscommitted inrespect ofaninvention, forwhich protection has
beensought orgranted andwhich concerns aprocess fortheproduction ofanewsubstance, any
substance thatisthesame orhasthesame composition shallbedeemed, intheabsence ofevidence
tothecontrary, tohavebeenmanufactured bymeans oftheprotected process. Theburden ofproof
insuchcaseshallbeupontheperson producing thesubstance, withdueregard tohislegitimate interest
insafeguarding production secrets.
Where thesaidinfringement relates toapublished patent application which wasfiledabroad
inaccordance withthethird paragraph ofArticle 4ofthisLaw, theapplicant isentitled toclaim
reasonable compensation fortheuseofinvention intheperiod asfromthedateofthesaidpublication
tothedatewhen therespective patent isgranted.
Article 94
Anyunauthorized useofaprotected invention, shape ofproduct, picture ordrawing, orin
thecourse ofmanufacture ortrade, anyunauthorized useofaprotected signorgeographical name
ofaproduct inthecourse oftrade oranyunauthorized actconcerning apatent, model right, design
right, marks orappellations oforigin shallconstitute aninfringement oftherights ininventions and
distinctive signs.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page25
Imitation ofaprotected model, design, trademark, service mark orappellation oforigin shall
alsoconstitute aninfringement oftheabove-mentioned rights.
Imitation within themeaning ofthesecond paragraph ofthisArticle shallbedeemed toexist
ifanaverage consumer ofgoods orservices, irrespective ofthekindofgoods orservices concerned,
canperceive thedifference onlybypaying special attention, orifthemark orthesignisatranslation,
transcription ortransliteration ofamark.
*Article 95
Anaction forinfringement under Articles 32and34ofthisLawmaybeinstituted bythe
applicant, theholder oftheright, theauthorized useroftheappellation oforigin ortheholder ofan
exclusive licence. Aplaint forinfringement ofprovisions ofthethirdparagraph ofArticle 34ofthis
Law, relating totheuseofsigns, mayalsobefiledbytheofficial authority orperson competent to
givesuchapprovals.
Proceedings fortheinfringement ofrights under anapplication maybesuspended bycourt
order, pending adecision bytheOffice onthegrant oftherespective right.
When theaction relates totheinfringement ofapatent, theproceedings maybesuspended
bycourt order, untiltheOffice hasissued oneofthedecisions onthegrant ofrights referred toin
Article 73ofthisLaw.
Article 96
Ifacollective mark isusedwithout authorization, auserofthecollective mark maybring an
actionbeforeacompetentcourtrequestingthatfurtherinfringingactionsbeprohibited,thatcompensation
bepaidfordamages incurred andthatthefinaldecision bepublished atthedefendant 'sexpense.
Ifnosuchproceedings areinstituted byauserofthecollective mark within oneyearfollowing
thedateoftheinfringement, theymaybeinstituted bytheholder ofthecollective mark.
Article 97
Anactionforinfringementofrightsinrespectofinventionsanddistinctivesignsmaybeinstituted
within three years from thedateonwhich theplaintiff learned oftheinfringement andtheidentity
oftheinfringer.
Noaction maybebrought afterexpiration offiveyears from thedateoftheinfringement.
Article 98
Anaction forinfringement ofrights inrespect ofinventions anddistinctive signs shallbedealt
withasanurgent matter.
2. Contesting therighttoapatent, model, design ormark
*Article 99
Aninventor, hisheirorother successor intitlemayinstitute, atanytimeduring thevalidity
ofapatent, anaction before acompetent court tobedeclared holder ofthepatent ifthepatent has
beenissued inthename ofaperson whoisnottheinventor, hisheirorother successor intitle.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page26
Theauthor ofamodel ordesign, hisheirorother successor intitlemayinstitute anaction
before acompetent court requesting thatanexisting rightinamodel ordesign berevoked andthat
hebedeclared holder ofthatright, iftheright wasgranted toaperson whoisnottheauthor, heir
orother successor intitle.
Aplaint asdescribed inthefirstandthesecond paragraph ofthisArticle mayalsobefiled
byaperson whoisentitled totherights arising outofapatent, model ordesign ifthepatent, model
ordesign wasissued inthename oftheinventor orauthor orathirdperson, which theinventor or
theauthor unjustifiably authorized thatthepatent, model ordesign beissued inhisname.
Article 100
Alegalornatural person mayinstitute anaction before acompetent court requesting thecourt
torulethatasignwhich heusesinmarketing hisproduct orservice isidentical orsimilar toamark
usedbyathirdperson inmarking hisgoods orservices ofthesame orsimilar kindandthatthesign
wasgenerally known fordesignating thegoods orservices ofthelegalornatural person before the
defendant filedhistrade mark application, andrequesting thecourt toissue adecision declaring the
plaintiff tobetheholder ofthemark.
Thecourt shallruleagainst therequest referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle ifthe
defendant holder ofthemark proves thathehadusedthecontested signforthesame orsimilar goods
orservices foraslongasorlonger thantheplaintiff before filing hisapplication.
Theaction referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle maynotbefiledafterexpiration
offiveyears from thedateofregistration ofthemark intheregister ofmarks.
Article 101
Within three months ofreceiving afinaldecision thatrulesfavourably ontheactions referred
toinArticles 99and100ofthisLaw, theplaintiff mayrequest toberegistered astheholder ofthe
patent, model right, design rightormark andtobeissued acertificate tothateffect.
Ifthesuccessful plaintiff doesnotsubmit arequest tobeentered intheregister astheholder
oftherightwithin thedeadline referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle, theregistered right
shallbedeleted from theregister.
Article 102
Anyrights athirdperson hasacquired from theformer holder mentioned inArticle 101of
thisLawshallbebinding onthenewholder asentered inthecorresponding register orasapplied for
before theaction wasinstituted.
3. Action forrecognition ofauthorship
Article 103
Aninventor orauthor mayrequest tobenamed intheapplication andinallrelevant documents,
inaccordance withArticle 3,thirdparagraph, ofthisLaw, byinstituting anaction before acompetent
court.
Should theinventor orauthor die,therighttoinstitute suchaction shallpasstohisheirs.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
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Article 104
Inaddition totherequest referred toinArticle 103ofthisLaw, theplaintiff mayalsorequest
thatafinaldecision issued intheaction forrecognition ofauthorship bepublished atthedefendant 's
expense; theinventor orauthor mayfurther request compensation formoral damages.
Article 105
Theaction referred toinArticles 103and104ofthisLawmaybebrought before acourt at
anytimeduring thevalidity ofthepatent, model rightordesign right.
VII. TRANSFER OFRIGHTS AND GRANT OFLICENCES
1. Transfer ofrights
Article 106
Theholder ofapatent, model right, design rightormarkmay,subject totheconditions provided
bythisLawandother regulations, transfer hisright, either initsentirety orpartially, under acontract
tosomeone else.
Theprovision ofthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallalsoapply totheapplicant.
Acollective trade mark orservice mark andtherighttouseaprotected appellation oforigin
maynotbetransferred.
Article 107
Thecontracts forthetransfer ofarightreferred toinArticle 106ofthisLawmustbemade
inwriting.
Thecontract referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallbeentered inthecorresponding
register attherequest ofoneoftheparties tothecontract.
Acontract which isnotinwriting andwhich isnotentered inthecorresponding register shall
notbelegally binding onthirdparties.
2. Licence agreements
Article 108
Thecontractual licensing ofpatents, models rights, designs rights ormarks shallbeeffected
through licence agreements inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisLawandother regulations.
Licence agreements shallbeinwriting.
Theprovisions ofthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallalsoapply toanapplicant forapatent,
model right, design rightormark.
Iftheapplication forapatent, model rightordesign rightisfiledbymore thanoneperson,
orifthepatent, model rightordesign rightisgranted tomore thanoneperson, theconsent ofallthose
persons shallberequired intheevent ofthegrant ofalicence.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
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Neither acollective mark noranappellation oforigin maybethesubject ofalicence.
Article 109
Therighttouseamark maybelicensed onlyifthetechnology ensuring thesame quality of
goods orservices islicensed simultaneously orifthelicensee ofthemark already possesses such
technology.
Anagreement concluded contrary totheprovisions ofthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shall
notbelegally binding onthirdparties.
Article 110
Licenceagreementsshallspecifyinparticularthedurationofthelicence,thescopeofthelicence,
whether thelicence isexclusive ornon-exclusive, asalsotheamount ofremuneration fortheuseif
compensation isagreed.
Licence agreements referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallbeentered inthe
corresponding register attherequest ofoneofthecontracting parties.
Alicence agreement which isnotentered intheregister inaccordance withthesecond paragraph
ofthisArticle shallnotbelegally binding onthirdparties.
Article 111
Anyprovisions ofalicence agreement which impose upon thelicensee limitations which do
notproceed from theright which isthesubject oftheagreement, orwhich areunnecessary for
safeguarding thatright, shallbenullandvoid.
3. Licence statement fieldwithapatent application
Article 112
Anapplicant forapatent orshort-term patent whowiththeapplication anirrevocable written
statement totheeffect that,onpayment ofsuitable compensation, hewillallow anyinterested party
tousetheinvention, onthebasisofanon-exclusive licence agreement, shallbeexempted frompaying
thefeesformaintaining thevalidity ofthepatent untilthefirstsuchagreement hasbeenconcluded,
butfornotlonger thanfiveyears from thefiling dateoftheapplication.
When publishing suchapplication intheOfficial Gazette, theOffice, shallalsonotify thefact
thattheapplicant hasfiledastatement under thefirstparagraph ofthisArticle.
4. Compulsory licences
*Article 113
Ifaninvention isinthepublic interest orifthepatentee misuses therights granted byapatent
asdescribed inArticle 32ofthisLaw, acompulsory licence fortheuseoftheinvention maybegranted
toanother person.
Itshallbedeemed thatamisuse according tothefirstparagraph ofthisArticle takes place
particularly when thepatentee, either himself orthrough athirdparty, doesnotwork orinsufficientlyIP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
Page29
works apatented invention andrefuses tolicense toother persons theright towork theprotected
invention orimposes unjustified conditions onhim.
Acompulsory licence maybegranted onlytopersons whoprovide evidence ofpossessing
thetechnological facilities andmanufacturing capacities required foreffective working ofthepatented
invention.
Acompulsory licence shallnotbegranted ifthepatentee canshow thattherearejustified reasons
forhisnon-working orinsufficient working ofthepatented invention.
Article 114
Acompulsory licence mayalsobegranted ifapotential invention cannot beworked, either
initsentirety orpartially, without theuseofaninvention protected byanearlier patent, andtheworking
ofthelaterinvention isofspecial importance fortheeconomy orisinthepublic interest formeeting
theneeds ofpublic health ornational defence.
Ifacompulsory licence isgranted under thefirstparagraph ofthisArticle, theholder ofthe
earlier patent mayalsoseekacompulsory licence fortheuseoftheinvention protected bythelater
patent.
*Article 115
Acompulsory licence maynotbeexclusive andmaynotextend thescope andduration inrespect
ofthepurpose forwhich itwasgranted.
*Article 116
Anapplication forthegrant ofacompulsory licence maynotbefiledlessthanfouryears after
thefiling dateofthepatent application orlessthanthree years afterthedateofgrant ofthepatent,
ifthelatter termexpires atalaterdate, except when suchalicence isinthepublic interest.
Article 117
When compulsory licences aregranted thepatentee shallbeentitled tocompensation.
Theamount ofcompensation under thefirstparagraph ofthisArticle shallbeagreed between
thepatentee andthelegalornatural person towhom thecompulsory licence relating tothepatented
invention hasbeengranted andwhoworks theinvention. Ifnoagreement isreached, thecompetent
court referred toinArticle 118ofthisLawshalldetermine theamount ofcompensation.
Article 118
Thecompetent court shalldecide onapplications forthegrant ofcompulsory licences.
VIII. REPRESENTATION
Article 119
Natural andlegal persons acting asrepresentatives intheprocedure fortheprotection of
inventions anddistinctive signs shallbeentered intheregister ofrepresentatives.
Theregister shallbekeptbytheOffice.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
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Thefollowing shallbeeligible forentry intheregister referred tointhefirstparagraph of
thisArticle:
1. Apatent representative whoisanatural person andhascompleted university studies
intechnology orscience andhaspassed aspecial examination attheOffice;
2. Alawyer employing onaregular orcontractual basis aperson whohascompleted
studies intechnology orscience;
3. Alegalperson employing atleastoneperson having completed university studies and
whofulfils theconditions laiddown initems (1)and(2)ofthisparagraph.
Thespecific conditions forentry intheregister referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle
shallbelaiddown bytheMinister responsible forscience andtechnology.
IX.PENAL PROVISIONS
Article 120
AfineofnolessthanSIT50,000 foreachoffence shallbeimposed onlegalornatural persons
who:
1. Usethesigns mentioned initems (8)and(9)ofArticle 19ofthisLaworthenames
ofhistorical orother personages without theconsent oftherelevant State authority
(third paragraph ofArticle 34ofthisLaw);
2. Publish asecret invention orfileanapplication abroad without theconsent ofthe
Ministry responsible fordefence ortheMinistry responsible fortheinterior (Article 84
ofthisLaw, inconjunction withArticle 85ofthisLaw);
3. Represent legalandnatural persons without being entered intheregister (Article 119
ofthisLaw);
Fortheoffenses referred tointhefirstparagraph ofthisArticle, afineofnolessthanSIT5,000
shallbeimposed ontheperson responsible within thelegalperson.
Foroffenses referred toinitems (2)and(3)ofthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle afineofno
lessthanSIT5,000 shallbeimposed onanatural person.
X.TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
*Article 121
Theuseofsubstances asmedicine forhumans andanimals shallnotbedeemed toconstitute
infringement ofapatent forsuchsubstances ifthecorresponding patent application wasfiledonor
before 31December 1992 orifapriority right wasclaimed fortheapplication, onorbefore
31December 1992.
Bytheuseofsubstance asamedicine according tothefirstparagraph ofthisArticle ismeant
itsproduction anduseinmedicine under aprocess which isnotsubject tosaidpatent protection, and
marketing ofthissubstance ormedicine.IP/N/1/SVN/1/Add.1
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*Article 1225
Allindustrialpropertyrightsthathavebeenappliedforwith,orgrantedby,theYugoslavFederal
Patent Office inBelgrade byandincluding of3April 1992, withtheexception ofappellations oforigin,
shallbevalid intheRepublic ofSlovenia iftheyaretransferred totheOffice until1March 1994.
Terms ofvalidity ofthetransferred rights shallberegulated bytheprovisions ofthisLaw,
provided thatthedateoffiling oftheapplication within theYugoslav Federal Patent Office shallbe
taken intoaccount.
Procedure fortherecognition ofrights onthebasisoftransferred applications shallbecarried
outinaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisLaw.
TheMinisterresponsibleforScienceandTechnologyshallissueregulationsspecifyingingreater
detail theprocedure forthetransfer ofrights described inthefirstparagraph ofthisArticle.
Article 123
Allapplications received bytheOffice between 25June1991andthedateonwhich thisLaw
comes intoforce shallbedealtwithinaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisLaw.
Article 124
TheBasic Court inLjubljana shallbecompetent tohearmatters oflegal protection andall
disputes relating tonullity ofrights, termination ofmarks andtorequests forthegrant ofcompulsory
licences, untilthenewJudiciary Lawcomes intoforce.
Article 125
Theregulations under Articles 39,74and119ofthisLawshallbepublished within sixmonths
atthelatest.
Article 126
OnthedaythisLawcomes intoforce, theLawonProtection ofInventions, Technical
Improvements andDistinctive Signs (Official Gazette oftheSFRY, Nos. 34/81, 3/90and20/90) shall
cease tobevalid, withtheexception oftheprovisions ofArticles 146to172.
Article 127
ThisLawshallenter intoforce onthefifteenth dayfollowing itspublication intheOfficial
Gazette oftheRepublic ofSlovenia.
5According toArticle 25ofLASLIP, theMinister responsible forscience andtechnology shall
issuetheregulations mentioned inthelastparagraph ofthisArticle within thetime-limit ofonemonth
asofthedatewhen LASLIP entered intoforce, i.e.until13July1993.