Copyrights Law in Slovenia
Copyright Law in Slovenia
1. Legal Framework
Copyright in Slovenia is regulated mainly by:
Copyright and Related Rights Act (Zakon o avtorski in sorodnih pravicah - ZASP), last amended in 2017.
Slovenia is a member of several international copyright treaties:
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
WIPO Copyright Treaty
TRIPS Agreement
EU copyright directives, as Slovenia is an EU member.
2. Protected Works
The law protects original literary and artistic works, including:
Written works (books, articles, software)
Musical works (with or without lyrics)
Visual arts (paintings, drawings, sculptures)
Cinematographic and audiovisual works
Photographs
Architectural designs
Databases (if original by selection or arrangement)
Performances, phonograms, broadcasts (related rights)
Works must be original and fixed in a tangible form.
3. Copyright Ownership
The author is the first copyright owner.
In employment contracts, copyright generally belongs to the employer if the work is created in the course of employment, unless otherwise agreed.
For commissioned works, ownership depends on the contract.
Joint authors share ownership.
4. Duration of Copyright
| Type of Work | Duration |
|---|---|
| Literary, artistic, musical | Life of the author + 70 years after death |
| Anonymous/pseudonymous works | 70 years from publication |
| Photographs | 70 years from creation |
| Audiovisual works | 70 years from publication |
| Related rights | 50 years from performance or publication |
5. Economic and Moral Rights
Economic rights: Include reproduction, distribution, public performance, communication, adaptation.
Moral rights: Include the right to be identified as author, to object to derogatory treatment, and to decide on disclosure.
Moral rights are inalienable and last beyond the economic rights.
6. Limitations and Exceptions
Slovenian law permits exceptions including:
Private use
Educational and scientific use
Quotation and criticism
Use in reporting current events
Use by libraries and archives
Temporary acts of reproduction for technical purposes
7. Infringement and Enforcement
Infringement may lead to injunctions, damages, and seizure of unauthorized copies.
Criminal sanctions apply in cases of deliberate infringement.
Enforcement is through Slovenian courts.
8. Registration
Copyright is automatic on creation.
No registration is required.
Registration is not mandatory but evidence of authorship is important in disputes.
Summary
Slovenia protects copyright for life + 70 years in line with EU standards.
Both economic and moral rights are strongly protected.
Exceptions cover education, private use, and reporting.
Enforcement is judicial.
Copyright arises automatically, no formal registration required.
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