For IP professionals
This is the portal for professionals working in the field of intellectual property. Here you'll find direct access to all necessary resources.
Quick links
News
01.07.2024 | Law and policy, Copyright
New directive for the supervision of the collective rights management organisations
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Trade marks
Technically, a trade mark is a protected sign which distinguishes the products or services of one business from another.
Basically, any graphic representations can be used as trade marks under the law. For example, words (e.g. Victorinox), combinations of letters (e.g. ABB), combinations of numbers (e.g. 501), graphic images (e.g. the SBB logo), three-dimensional forms (e.g. the Mercedes star), slogans (e.g. 'Cats would buy Whiskas'), any combination of these elements, and a series of tones (acoustic trade marks, e.g. the Ricola jingle).
Trade mark protection derives from entry in the trade mark register. You must indicate for which products (goods and services classes) you want to register and use the sign. As a trade mark owner you can prevent others from using an identical or similar sign for the same or similar goods and services.
Good to know
- It is often wrongly assumed that the name of a business is automatically protected as a trade mark. But a company can register its name as a trade mark and thus be protected if it meets the register conditions.
- It is not compulsory to use the ® sign in Switzerland and it makes no difference in the owner's rights. However, it can alert other people to the fact that the trade mark is registered and it can help prevent infringement cases. Using the registered trade mark sign without having actually registered the mark is an offence.
Further information
Resources
- www.swissreg.ch: The official publication of Swiss patents, trade marks, and designs contains information on nationally registered trade marks.
- Trade mark database: In the IPI's trade mark database you will find information on Swiss trade marks and trade mark applications as well as international trade marks with protection extended to Switzerland.
News
20.08.2024 | IPI, Dienstleistungen - OnlineServices, Dienstleistungen - Datenbanken und Verzeichnisse
Swissreg is to be completely modernised
...more
01.07.2024 | Law and policy, Copyright
New directive for the supervision of the collective rights management organisations
...more
27.05.2024 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy, Conference
New international treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge adopted
...more
Events
19.01.2023 | Law and policy, Event
Conference on Intellectual Property & Sustainability at the University of Geneva
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