Patent Application Encyclopedia

INPI only conducts formality examination of design patent applications.

A novelty grace period of 6 months is available if:

• Disclosures caused at officially organized or officially sanctioned international exhibitions
• Disclosure resulting from being made public for reasons related to the misuse of the inventor or its predecessor owner

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.

10 years

no

• Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee, registration fee and first annual fee within 4 months after receiving the granted decision.
• Annuity: pay year by year starting from the first year from the application date, the annual fee can be paid within a grace period of 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, and a 50% penalty must be paid at the same time.