Copyrights Law in Slovakia
Copyright Law in Slovakia
1. Legal Framework
Copyright in Slovakia is primarily governed by:
Act No. 185/2015 Coll. on Copyright and Rights Related to Copyright and on Amendment to Certain Acts (the Copyright Act)
Slovakia is also a member of international copyright treaties such as:
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
WIPO Copyright Treaty
TRIPS Agreement
European Union copyright directives (as an EU member)
2. What is Protected?
The Copyright Act protects original literary and artistic works, including:
Written works (books, articles, software)
Musical works (with or without lyrics)
Visual arts (paintings, drawings, sculptures)
Films and audiovisual works
Photographs
Architectural works
Databases (original selection or arrangement)
Performances, phonograms, broadcasts (related rights)
Works must be original and fixed in a tangible medium.
3. Who Owns the Copyright?
The author is generally the initial owner.
For works created under employment, the employer is usually the copyright owner unless agreed otherwise.
Commissioned works ownership depends on contract terms.
Co-authored works share ownership among authors.
4. Duration of Copyright
| Type of Work | Duration |
|---|---|
| Literary, artistic, musical | Life of the author + 70 years after death |
| Anonymous or pseudonymous | 70 years from publication |
| Photographs | 70 years from creation |
| Audiovisual works | 70 years from publication |
| Related rights (performers, phonograms) | 50 years from performance or publication |
5. Economic and Moral Rights
Economic rights: reproduction, distribution, public communication, adaptation, etc.
Moral rights: attribution, integrity (right to object to distortion), and disclosure.
Moral rights are inalienable and last indefinitely, even after economic rights expire.
6. Limitations and Exceptions
Slovak copyright law includes exceptions such as:
Fair use for private purposes
Use in education and scientific research
Quotation for criticism or review
News reporting
Temporary acts of reproduction necessary for technical processes
Use by libraries and archives
7. Infringement and Enforcement
Infringement can lead to civil claims for damages, injunctions, and seizure of infringing copies.
Criminal sanctions exist for intentional copyright violations.
Enforcement is through Slovak courts.
8. Registration
Copyright arises automatically upon creation.
No formal registration is required or available.
Evidence of creation can be useful in disputes.
Summary
Slovakia protects copyright for life + 70 years, following EU standards.
Both economic and moral rights are recognized.
Exceptions exist for education, private use, and news.
Enforcement is handled through the judicial system.
Automatic protection upon creation, no registration needed.
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