With an aim to align the Slovenian national industrial property law with the international law, Slovenia started implementing its amended Industrial Property Act. Both the trademark law and the patent laws have been amended to be harmonized with the European Union. A good time to have a chat with Gregor Maček of ITEM d.o.o, who has a wide range of experience and has been working in the fields of trademarks, domain names, patents and industrial designs for over 25 years.
First off, could you start by telling us a little about the state of the intellectual property in Slovenia?
Gregor Maček: The intellectual property (IP) system in Slovenia is well-established and functions effectively in most cases. Authorities, such as the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office and the courts, have gained significant experience, particularly in handling trademarks and matters of unfair competition. However, challenges can occasionally arise when addressing more complex patent issues.
There have been some important changes in Slovenian IP law recently. Could you elaborate on the most significant ones?
Gregor Maček: I would like to highlight two significant changes. First, the jurisdiction for revocation and invalidation of trademarks has been transferred from the courts to the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office. This shift is expected to streamline these procedures, making them both faster and more cost-effective. Second, Slovenia is now under the jurisdiction of the Unified Patent Court and is included in the Unitary Patent system. This is likely to significantly decrease the number of European patents validated in Slovenia, as well as reduce the number of patent invalidation and infringement cases brought before Slovenian courts.
What are the main challenges facing IP in Slovenia today?
Gregor Maček: More complex cases before the courts can experience significant delays, highlighting the need for improved efficiency in handling IP matters within the judicial system.
Are there any recent trends in IP that you’ve observed and what do you see as the future of IP in Slovenia?
Gregor Maček: Slovenian companies are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of IP protection. Financial incentives at both the EU and national levels are encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to engage more actively in this area.
The future of IP in Slovenia is closely tied to the broader Slovenian and EU economies. As IP practitioners, we must aim for excellence in our field to support companies in achieving their financial success in the marketplace.
You’re the author of the Slovenia chapter in Wolters Kluwer’s ‘Manual IP,’ also known as the Brown Book. Can you share what it’s like to be involved in this project?
Gregor Maček: It is a great pleasure and honour to be part of this project. The publication is exceptionally well-structured and serves as an invaluable resource for IP practitioners.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the editors and staff at Wolters Kluwer for their outstanding management of this project and their invaluable support in helping the authors contribute effectively.
Thank you for sharing your insights, it’s been a pleasure to learn more about IP in Slovenia!
The updated Slovenian chapter has now been published in the Manual IP on Kluwer IP Law.
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