1. What is a utility model?
2. Comparison of a utility model and a patent
3. What are the application requirements for registration of a utility model?
4. What does a utility model application procedure involve?

1. What is a utility model?

A technical solution, which is new, is a result of an inventive activity in technology, and is susceptible of industrial application, is eligible for protection as a utility model. Discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, aesthetic creations, plans, rules and computer programmes shall not be deemed to constitute such a technical solution. Technical solutions whose commercial exploitation would be contrary to public order or principles of morality, plant and animal varieties, therapeutic treatments, methods for production of chemical substances and pharmaceutical substances and medical use of substances are not eligible for protection as utility models.

2. Comparison of a utility model and a patent

• The effects of protection are identical.
• The duration of a utility model protection is 4 years; at the request of the holder it may be extended twice for 3 years, i.e. the maximum duration of protection is 10 years.
• Utility model protection is suitable for objects with a shorter life cycle.
• The application procedure for a utility model is less complex and shorter.

3. What are the application requirements for registration of a utility model?

• Applications for registration shall be submitted on the prescribed form in two copies (the form is available only in Slovak),
• Application for registration of a utility model in the Register (one copy),
• Description of the technical solution (three copies),
• At least one claim for protection (three copies),
• Abstract (three copies),
• Drawings (if applicable) (three copies),
• Identification data of the applicant or co-applicants,
• Identification data of the author or co-authors,
• Identifier of the party to the proceedings and identifier of the representative, if the party to the proceedings appointed a representative.
• If the applicant is not the utility model author, a document on acquiring the right for protection of a utility model, or information that the subject matter of the application is an employee solution,

Instructions on how to properly fill in the application are available in the Instruction of the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic.

3. Applicable administrative fees

Note: For electronic filing via www.slovensko.sk a 50% discount on the fee applies, the discount, however, shall not exceed EUR 70.

More information on the fees is available at the Office's website.

4. What does a utility model application procedure involve?

• The application shall be submitted in person to the filing office of the Industrial Property Office in Banská Bystrica, by post to the office’s address in Banská Bystrica or electronically (the service is available only in Slovak).
• The Office shall carry out a formal examination and a search of the state of the art.
• The Office shall inform the applicant about the search outcome.
• The Office shall publish the application and the search outcome in the Gazette.
• Any person shall be entitled to file oppositions against the registration of a utility model in the Register after publication of an application within 3 months from this publication, providing factual and legal statement of reasons, as well as evidence.
• Provided that the procedure was not halted, the application was not rejected and no oppositions were submitted, the Office shall register the utility model in the Register, notify the registration in the Official Gazette and issue a certificate to the owner.

Explanatory laws:

Only in Slovak:

• Act on utility models