• PCT entries
  • Patent Translations
  • Inventions
  • Utility models
  • Patent Analysis (FTO)
  • Trademarks
  • Designs
  • Geographical Indications
  • Plant Breeders’ Rights
  • Domain disputes
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  • Regulatory and compliance
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  • Software copyright

    • Slovenia

    What can be protected as an invention?

    • Patentable subject matter in Slovenia is aligned with the European Patent Convention (EPC).
    • Inventions must be new, involve an inventive step, and be industrially applicable.
    • Exclusions include discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, aesthetic creations, schemes/rules/methods for performing mental acts, playing games or doing business, and presentations of information.
    • Methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy and diagnostic methods are not patentable; products for use in such methods may be patentable.

    Deadline: The time limit for entering the national phase in Slovenia is 31 months from the earliest priority date.

    Representation: Foreign applicants typically must be represented by a patent attorney registered with the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO).

    Translation:

    • The official language is Slovene.
    • Applications may be filed in English, French, or German, but a Slovene translation must typically be provided upon invitation by SIPO.
    • Claims of a published European patent application must be translated into Slovene for provisional protection.

    Formal examination

    • SIPO conducts a formal examination to verify compliance with filing requirements and formalities.
    • Any deficiencies are typically notified to the applicant, who is invited to remedy them within a set period.

    Substantive examination

    • Substantive examination is carried out by the European Patent Office (EPO) for European patents designating Slovenia.
    • For national patents, substantive examination is conducted upon request and payment of the prescribed fee.
    • The timing for requesting substantive examination is typically set by SIPO or upon invitation.

    Office actions

    • SIPO issues office actions if formal or substantive deficiencies are found.
    • Applicants are given an opportunity to respond within a prescribed time limit, typically set by SIPO.

    Duration: The procedure for registration of a patent in Slovenia usually takes between two (2) and five (5) years.

    Patent Obtaining: Grant and publication fees must be paid within the deadline set by SIPO, typically upon invitation.

    Annual renewal fees are due each year to maintain the patent in force.

     Validity/term and possible extensions (SPC for pharma/plant protection)

    • Patent term is 20 years from the filing date.
    • Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) may be available for pharmaceuticals and plant protection products, extending protection up to 5 years, subject to EU and national requirements.

    Required filing documents

    • Applicant’s information (name, address);
    • Description, claims, abstract, and drawings (if any)
    • Translation into Slovene (if filed in another language)
    • Power of attorney (if represented)