Designation of origin: What is it?

A designation of origin (further on referred to as a "designation of origin") is a geographical name of a country, region, or place which has become commonly known as an indication of the origin of a product whose quality or characteristics are due exclusively or substantially to the geographical environment, including natural or human factors

Designation of origin: How and who can apply for registration of a designation of origin?

Applications for designations of origin may be filed with the Office by legal and natural persons. The Office shall enter the designation of origin and its user in the register if it finds that the application for the designation of origin has the requisites laid down by implementing regulations and that the designation of origin complies with the conditions laid down by law. The Office may apply for entry in the register as another user of a designation of origin with one whose products meet the conditions laid down for an already registered designation of origin.

Designation of origin: What are the rights of the owners?

The registered designation of origin may only be used by the registered user. The registered user of the designation of origin may call on the authority empowered to do so to infringe his rights and to remedy the defective situation.

The term of protection resulting from the registration of a designation of origin or the entry of another user of a designation of origin in the register shall run from the day when the application for the designation of origin or the application for registration of another user arrived at the Office.

Designation of origin: What are the other facts related to the designation of origin of products?

Slovak designations of origin may apply for registration abroad in the member countries of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Designations of Origin only after their registration in the Slovak Republic and only with the consent of the Office.

Legal and natural persons who do not have a residence or registered office in the territory of the Slovak Republic must be represented in proceedings before the Office by a member of an organization authorized to do so. (Act No. 344/2004 Coll. On Patent Attorneys)