The government has sought to ensure competition by adopting laws banning monopolistic and unfair business practices. The right to property is recognized by law. Slovak laws on intellectual property rights are compatible with western European legislation but enforcement and prosecution are problematic. A new law on trademarks was passed in 1995. Restrictions on land usage by existing owners have been lifted for 461,810 hectares of arable and wooded land.
Individuals can structure their property holdings as they choose.
To Participate In The Private Economy Ethnic minorities and women are not foreclosed from certain occupations or from running certain types of businesses, though periodic tensions have arisen between the government and the 560,000-strong Hungarian minority over political and cultural reasons. Freedom House Survey of Economic Freedom 1995-96.