Glossary of terms
We have prepared for you a glossary of terms, which will help you quickly navigate legal terminology. The aim of this glossary is to make legal terms accessible in a simple and comprehensible form, without unnecessary technical terms or references to legal provisions. Each term is explained so that you know exactly what it means and in what context it is used.
Acquisition is the takeover of one company by another, in which the investor acquires an ownership interest and a share of the profits; where there are multiple investors, their mutual rights and obligations must be clearly regulated.
When a company is sold, the legal and tax structure of the transaction and a fair price are also determined; the price is generally calculated using an EBITDA multiple or the free cash flow method, following the prior preparation of the company and an audit.
European Union trademark is a trademark valid in all member states of the European Union (EU). By registering a European Union trademark, you can obtain uniform protection for your brand, name, logo or slogan. It is registered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office, known as the EUIPO based in Alicante. It is advantageous if you want or plan to operate in several European markets simultaneously. It is worth applying for it when planning to cover at least two EU countries with your brand. The registration of a European trademark, known as an EU TM, is generally valid for ten years, and through renewals its validity can be extended indefinitely.
Mergers and acquisitions are legal and economic processes involving the combination or takeover of companies. A merger means the consolidation of two or more companies into one, while an acquisition represents the purchase of one company by another. These transactions are used primarily for business expansion, increasing market value or optimizing the company structure.
Merger may take the form of a merger by formation, in which two or more companies combine to form a new company and all original entities cease to exist, with their assets and liabilities passing to the newly formed business.
In a merger by absorption one company ceases to exist and is absorbed by another, which becomes its legal successor; this is used primarily where it is necessary to preserve existing public-law licences.
M&A advisory services (advice on mergers and acquisitions) include comprehensive legal, financial and strategic support in combining or acquiring companies. The aim is to ensure that the entire process proceeds without legal risks, transparently and in compliance with legislation. Advisory services may include due diligence, contract preparation, negotiations with partners, structuring the transaction or representing the client before authorities.
International Trademark (WIPO) does not provide a single worldwide trademark. WIPO does not register its own type of trademark, but administers a system that makes it possible to obtain trademark protection in many countries simultaneously through a single application and one administrative fee. This system is called the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks. To obtain it, it is important to already own a national trademark or a European Union trademark. It enables a brand to be protected in several selected countries through a single application. Each country decides independently whether to approve the registration, so it is not a single “global” trademark. This system significantly simplifies the process of protecting a brand in international business.
Trademark (Trademark) is legal protection for a name, logo or other element that distinguishes your goods or services from those of competitors. It serves to prevent anyone else from using your brand and enables you to take action against copying. It can take various forms—from a name and logo to the shape of a product or a sound. In Slovakia, it is registered by the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic; throughout the EU, by the EUIPO; and worldwide, by WIPO.
Trademark Register is the official database of all validly registered and applied-for trademarks. It contains information about owners, filing dates, classes of goods and services, and the legal status of the trademark. It is used to verify whether a name or logo is already protected and whether there is a risk of conflict. The Register is publicly accessible and is maintained by national authorities, EUIPO or WIPO depending on the type of trademark.
Trademark registration is the process by which a company or individual secures legal protection for their brand, name or logo. It enables the exclusive use of the designation for specific goods or services. A registered trademark protects against misuse and imitation by competitors. It also increases the value of the brand and strengthens its credibility in the market.
A Slovak trademark is a trademark with a registration validity generally lasting ten years, while protecting exclusively the territory of the Slovak Republic. Trademark registration is carried out by the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic, and it is suitable for you if you primarily do business in the Slovak market. If you later decide to expand abroad, it may serve as the basis for registering the trademark in other countries around the world through registration with WIPO.
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