We can help you find information by:

• information services  (the enquiries are carried out by the Office) and
• databases  (you search for information yourself in publicly accessible databases).

Submitting an application

You can prepare the design application yourself or authorise an  agent to do it.

To obtain a design, you can submit an application through the e-application system or on paper. In this case , you must submit to the Office as follows:

• an application for registration, usually on a Design application form  (SIPO M-1);
• a photograph or graphic representation of each appearance of the article applied for, showing the novelty and individual character of the appearance of the article (3 copies);
• proof of payment of the application  fee;
• power of attorney for the agent if the application is filed through an agent.

Detailed instructions for the preparation of the design application and its components are included in the Design application information document.

One application may cover several appearances of articles, provided that they are classified in the same class of the Locarno Classification for industrial designs and models. The indication of the class in the application form is mandatory.

If you use the Office's e-Filing system to submit your application, the application fee for one design will be reduced by 20%.

Formalities examination

The Office shall verify whether the application complies with the requirements laid down in the Industrial Property Act  and the Rules on the contents of the industrial design application.

If the application does not contain the minimum necessary elements, the Office shall invite the applicant to complete the application. When this condition is fulfilled, the Office shall assign the filing date and the application number.

From the date of filing the application, the applicant shall have priority over anyone who files an application for the same appearance of the article at a later date.

If, during the formalities examination procedure, the Office finds deficiencies, irregularities or inconsistencies with the Act or the Rules, it shall invite the applicant to remedy them.

Substantive examination

After the formalities examination of the application, the Office shall examine whether, subject to the grounds for refusal of the design (Article 36 of the Industrial Property Act), the appearance of the article applied for can be registered as a design.

The Office does not examine the novelty and individual character of the appearance of the article (Article 34 of the Industrial Property Act).

Registration decision and publication of the design information in the Official Gazette

If there are no defects in the design application or if they are remedied in time and the appearance of the article fulfils all the statutory conditions for registration, the Office issues a decision on the registration of the design, enters the design in the Register of Designs and publishes the registration of the design in its Industrial Property Bulletin  (BIL). If a deferment of publication of the design is requested, the registration of the design shall be published after the expiry of the requested deferment of publication.

Important caveats

If the application relates to a two-dimensional article, including a textile pattern or a hologram, and a deferment of publication of the design for a maximum period of 12 months is requested, a specimen of the article or a part thereof (1 copy) may be attached to the application instead of a photograph or a graphic representation of the appearance of the article. A photograph or a graphic representation of the appearance of the article (3 copies) must also be submitted no later than two months before the expiry of the period of the requested deferment of publication.

Within six months of filing the design application in Slovenia, you have the possibility to claim priority for applications (for the same appearance of the article) in any member of the Paris Union or of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). When filing the application, reference should be made to the first application.