Intellectual Property Update

Effective as of July 1,2002,the Czech and Slovak Republics are parties to the European Patent Con- vention.Since that date, it has been possible to designate the Czech Republic and/or the Slovak Republic in the European patent application as countries where the European patent should be effective. European patents designating the Czech or Slovak Republics shall be automatically effective in the territories of the Czech or Slovak Republic, subject,however, to the condition of nationalization.

The nationalization of European patent means that the letters patent must be translated into local language and published by the local Patent Office (the Industrial Property Office). Also, the patentee must inform the local Patent Office on an address in the Czech Republic for delivery of official documents regarding the European patent. The translation of the European patent into Czech language must be submitted