Legal protection

An overview of the legal protection of the Denticor brand, methods for making dentures at home, and a database of diagnostic scenarios in accordance with the laws of the Slovak Republic and the European Union.

1. Copyright for the content of this page

Texts, images, photographs, illustrations, graphic design, the structure of the guides, visual diagnostic guides and the overall layout of the websites denticor.sk, denticor.cz and denticor.de are copyrighted works within the meaning of Act No. 185/2015 Coll. Copyright Act, in accordance with Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright in the information society.

Copyright arises automatically upon creation of the work, without the need for registration. Without the express written consent of the operator, it is not permitted to:

  • copy, reproduce or make publicly available the content of the website or a substantial part thereof,
  • Reproducing texts, images or graphics on other websites, in printed materials, on social media or in commercial offers,
  • create derivative works, translations or adaptations of the content for commercial purposes.

An exception is made for quotations within a scope justified by the purpose, provided the source is properly cited and a link to the original page is included – in accordance with Section 37 of the Copyright Act.

2. Sui generis protection of the diagnostic scenario database

The Denticor website contains a structured database of diagnostic scenarios and visual guides, created through long-term work on collecting, verifying and organising content. This database is separately protected by a specific sui generis in accordance with Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal protection of databases, transposed into Slovak law in the Copyright Act.

What this means in practice: Sui generis law prohibits the extraction or reuse of a substantial part of a database’s content – both qualitatively and quantitatively. This means that even rewriting texts in one’s own words does not absolve a competitor of liability if they adopt the structure, selection, arrangement or systematics of diagnostic scenarios as a whole.

The protection covers the overall arrangement of scenarios, the logic behind their selection and the way they are linked to specific product recommendations. It takes 15 years from the creation of the database and is renewed with every substantial investment in its extension, verification or reworking (Article 10(3) of Directive 96/9/EC). Given that the database is continuously supplemented and updated, protection is effectively renewed with every significant update.

3. Protection of know-how and trade secrets

The internal logic of the diagnosis, the procedures for fabricating the restoration, the technical parameters of the polymers used, supplier relationships and internal operational documentation are trade secrets within the meaning of Section 17 of the Commercial Code (Act No. 513/1991 Coll.) and in accordance with Directive (EU) 2016/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of undisclosed know-how and trade secrets.

Trade secret protection does not require registration. It arises automatically when three conditions are met:

  1. information has actual or potential commercial value,
  2. is neither widely known nor commonly available,
  3. its owner is taking appropriate steps to keep it private.

The unauthorised acquisition, use or disclosure of a trade secret – including acquisition through unauthorised access, copying, monitoring or breach of confidentiality – gives rise to a claim for injunctive relief, rectification of the breach, appropriate compensation, compensation for damages and the surrender of unjust enrichment.

What is not a trade secret

Trade secret protection does not apply to information that is publicly available on the website itself (product description, customer instructions, declared material properties). This information is protected in other ways – by copyright or database rights.

4. Protection against unfair competition

Any action by a competitor that imitates the appearance, concept, packaging, website structure, marketing communications or business model of the Denticor brand with the aim of causing confusion among customers or capitalising on the brand’s reputation constitutes unfair competition under Section 44 et seq. of the Commercial Code. Specifically, the following facts are at issue:

§ 47 – Risk of confusion: The use of a trade name, distinctive mark, packaging or product design which is recognised by customers as characteristic of Denticor, or any imitation of products, packaging or services that is likely to cause confusion among the average consumer.

§ 48 – Exploiting a reputation: Exploiting the reputation, good name or market presence of the Denticor brand to gain a commercial advantage that a competitor would not otherwise achieve – for example, through comparative advertising that relies on the well-known Denticor brand, or by deliberately copying the brand’s communication style and visual identity.

§ 51 – Breach of trade secrets: Unauthorised acquisition, use or disclosure of information constituting the operator’s trade secrets.

In the event of unfair competition, the operator may seek, through the courts, an injunction to cease the conduct, the rectification of the unlawful situation, appropriate redress (including monetary compensation), damages, the surrender of unjust enrichment, and the publication of the court’s decision at the infringer’s expense.

5. Trade mark and trade name

Terminology Denticor, DentiFlex, the domain name denticor.sk and the brand’s visual elements make up unregistered trade name Protected under Section 47 of the Commercial Code, which has become distinctive for the operator within customer circles. Any use of a confusingly similar designation, domain name or visual by a competitor constitutes unfair competition.

6. Consumer protection and truthful communication

The operator adheres to the rules of truthful communication in accordance with Act No. 108/2024 Coll. on Consumer Protection and Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices. All stated product features, uses and results are backed by real product information. Misleading advertising or disparaging comments about competitors’ solutions are against the law – both for the operator and for any potential imitators of the brand.

7. Domains and online identity

The operator is the registrar for the domains denticor.sk, denticor.cz and denticor.de. The registration of similar or confusingly similar domains by third parties with the intention of exploiting the reputation of the Denticor brand (cybersquatting, typosquatting) contravenes the principles of unfair competition and may be addressed through ADR proceedings or legal action.

8. Active protection against tampering

The operator shall, without delay and without prior notice to the infringer, exercise the full range of legal remedies against any act that constitutes an unauthorised infringement of copyright, the specific rights of a database maker, trade secrets or unfair competition.

This statement is addressed to any natural or legal person considering imitating, exploiting, copying or commercially utilising the Denticor method, the structure of the diagnostic database, the visual identity, the brand or the operator’s business model.

If a breach is detected, the operator shall immediately take the following action:

  1. Proposal for urgent action pursuant to Section 324 et seq. of Act No. 160/2015 Coll., the Code of Civil Procedure, with a view to securing an immediate cessation of the disruptive conduct and preserving evidence,
  2. Application for an injunction and rectification of the defective condition pursuant to Section 53 of the Commercial Code,
  3. a claim for damages, appropriate redress and the return of unjust enrichment including the cash form pursuant to Section 55 et seq. of the Commercial Code,
  4. Remedial measures pursuant to Sections 55b and 55c of the Commercial Code in cases of breach of trade secrets (destruction or disclosure of documents, withdrawal of goods from the market),
  5. Proposal for the publication of the judgement at the expense of the offender,
  6. criminal complaint in cases fulfilling the criteria for criminal offences under Act No. 300/2005 Coll. The Criminal Code – in particular Section 283 (infringement of copyright, including database rights), Section 264 (endangering trade secrets) or Section 250 (abuse of a position in economic competition).

European enforcement framework: The provisions set out above derive from Slovak law, which is harmonised with European Union law – in particular with Directive 2004/48/EC on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, which obliges Member States to ensure equivalent and effective legal protection. The operator is entitled to enforce these remedies in all EU Member States where an infringement occurs, including through cross-border proceedings pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 (Brussels I bis).

The operator reserves the right to apply these measures concurrently, cumulatively and to the full extent permitted by the laws of the Slovak Republic and the European Union. Previous tolerance of minor breaches does not constitute a waiver of rights or set a precedent for future actions.

9. Applicable law and jurisdiction

Disputes concerning the rights and obligations set out in this document are governed by the law of the Slovak Republic. The competent court is the general court with jurisdiction over the operator’s registered office, unless international law provides otherwise. For cross-border disputes within the EU, the rules of Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 (Brussels I bis) apply.

10. Contact for legal matters

Please direct any enquiries regarding licences, consent to content distribution, reports of rights infringements or requests for collaboration to:

Sciéntio Laboratories spol. s r.o.
Email: support@denticor.eu
Telephone: +421 903 890 097

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