no
The initial protection is 5 years, which can be renewed 4 times, each time for 5 years, and the maximum protection can be 25 years.
yes. It is allowed to include multiple designs in one design application.
- Licensing Fee: None.
- Annuity: payable year by year starting from the fourth year from the date of application. The payment date can be the last day of the month where the application date is located. Overdue annual fees can be paid within a grace period of six months, and a penalty of 50.00 Swiss francs must be paid at the same time.
Novelty grace period applies if the invention is disclosed to the public within six months of the filing date or priority date.
Filing Language: German/French/Italian Necessary documents:
- Exterior Design Picture (Six Views)
- A Brief Description
Attachments (if any):
- Power of Attorney
- Certified Priority Document
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
IGE/IPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. The applicant does not need to file a separate request for substantive examination. Before commencing the substantive examination, IGE/IPI will send an examination bill, which will indicate the deadline for payment of the prescribed fees. Patents granted in Switzerland are automatically protected in Liechtenstein.
3-5 years
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
English: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, referred to as:
Website: Startseite - Eidgenössisches Institut für Geistiges Eigentum
Swiss Invention Patent Search: Swissreg - Institute for Intellectual Property
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
Novelty grace period is available if the design is disclosed by the designer or the designer's representative within 12 months before the application to IGE/IPI.