Update of the law on designations of origin products

#07Update of the law on designations of origin products

On February 3, 2021, the National Council of the Slovak Republic approved the update of Act no. 469/2003 Coll. On Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications, which regulates the conditions for obtaining the right to protection of designations of origin or geographical indications of products in the Slovak Republic.

The regulation applies to an agricultural product, foodstuff, wine, aromatised wine product or spirit drink, which concerns a geographical area in the Slovak Republic or a cross-border geographical area.

Products whose occurrence is only in a specific geographical area and which have special characteristics due to human or natural factors are protected by this regulation. Unique products can be protected through industrial property rights – a designation of origin of a product or a geographical indication of a product. The positive aspect of such designation affects the value of the product and thus becomes unique to the market.

The amendment contributes to the clarity of legislation and speed of proceedings in the field of protection of origin, and the provisions of protection at a national level for product categories, while European Union law allows for the existence of protection at a national level for so-called non-agricultural products.