Titles of industrial property protection

Titles of industrial property protection

A technical solution based on an innovative idea may be protected by a patent, if it is new, involves an inventive step and is industrially applicable.

If a solution applies to the configuration, structure or arrangement of the parts of an object, and involves an inventive step and is industrially applicable, it may be protected by utility model protection.

The appearance of the whole or part of a product, if it is new and has individual character may be protected by design protection.

A plant variety may be granted plant variety protection if it is new, distinct, uniform and stable.

In certain cases, with certain terms and conditions, for a certain period of time defined in the European Community Regulations, the subject matter of an invention, if it concerns medicinal products or plant protection products, may be granted a supplementary protection certificate (SPC) after the expiration of the patent protection (as a result of the lapse of the period of protection).

Trademark protection shall be granted for any signs which are
a) capable of distinguishing goods or services from the goods or services of others; and
b) capable of being represented in a manner which enables the competent law enforcement bodies and the public to determine the clear and precise subject matter of the protection afforded to its proprietor.

A trademark may consist of any signs capable of being represented graphically, particularly:

a) words, word combinations, including personal names and slogans;
b) letters, numerals;
c) designs, graphics;
d) flat or three-dimensional figures, including the shape of the goods or of their packaging;
e) a color, a combination of colors, a light signal, a hologram;
f) sounds;
g) motion displays;
h) position signs;
i) multimedia displays;
j) patterns; and
k) combination of signs.

Geographical signs and appellations of origin specifying the geographical origin of products placed on the market may be granted protection as geographical indications.

Geographical indication means the geographical name of a region, locality or, in exceptional cases, a country which serves to designate a product originating therein, the specific quality, good reputation or other characteristics of which are due essentially to that geographical origin, and the production, processing or preparation of which takes place in that defined geographical area.