News

27.05.2024 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy, Conference

New international treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge adopted

After around 20 years of negotiations, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) succeeded in adopting a new treaty on intellectual property and genetic resources in the small hours of 24 May 2024. The new treaty stipulates that the origin of genetic resources and the associated traditional knowledge must be disclosed in patent applications. The aim of this measure is to increase...

22.05.2024 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy

Transparency in the area of patent rights in plant breeding

On 22 May 2024, the Federal Council submitted a draft on the revision of patent law for consultation. This provides for the establishment of a clearing house to increase transparency regarding patent rights in plant breeding. The consultation procedure will run until 12 September 2024. Federal Council media release Further information on our website

24.05.2023 | Media release, Copyright

Online service providers are to remunerate use of journalistic works

Media companies are to receive remuneration from large online service providers for the use of their journalistic works in future. Journalists are to benefit from this too. The Federal Council opened the consultation on the amendment to the Copyright Act (CopA) on 24 May 2023. It will continue until 15 September 2023. Federal Council's media release Further information on our website

26.04.2023 | Media release, Law and policy

Greater efficiency in the fight against counterfeiting

From counterfeit luxury watches to designer handbags: thanks to a new procedure, it will be easier to destroy fake products arriving in Switzerland in small consignments in future. On 26 April 2023, the Federal Council noted the outcome of the consultation procedure and adopted the dispatch and the draft of the Federal Act on the Introduction of a Simplified Procedure for Destroying Small...

13.03.2023 | Media release

The number of active trade marks rises further

The number of trade marks active in Switzerland has continued to rise. At the end of 2022, there were almost 550,000 active trade marks. The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) recommends searching databases before applying to register a trade mark. This helps to avoid conflicts with third parties. It is also worth conducting a search before applying to protect inventions and...

13.01.2023 | Media release, IPI

Stefan Hostettler Fischer elected to the IPI’s Institute Council

At its meeting on 11 January 2023, the Federal Council elected Stefan Hostettler Fischer as Secretary General of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) and member of the Institute Council of the IPI, with effect from 1 February 2023. In the role of Secretary General of the FDJP and member of the Institute Council, he succeeds Barbara Hübscher Schmuki, the new Secretary General...

16.12.2022 | Trade Marks, Media release, Law and policy

Federal Council approves reduction of fees for trade mark protection

Trade marks are a valuable asset for many companies. By registering them, companies identify their product as being their intellectual property and thereby protect themselves from free riders. In future, it will be less expensive to file a trade mark and renew its term of protection in Switzerland. The Federal Council approved the amended Fee Ordinance of the Swiss Federal Institute of...

28.11.2022 | Patents, Media release

Marcus Ehnle appointed new Head of the Patent Division

[Translate to English:]

Marcus Ehnle (born in 1969) will become a member of the Executive Board on 1 July 2023. As the new Head of the Patent Division, he will replace Alban Fischer, who will be leaving the IPI at the end of June 2023 after more than 24 years of service. Marcus Ehnle initially studied geophysics and then obtained a Master of Law (University of Lucerne), and is a qualified European, German and Swiss...

22.11.2022 | Media release, Law enforcement

Don’t have a black day on Black Friday: how to avoid fake bargains

Too attractive, too cheap, too generous? Trade in new and used products is increasingly shifting to online marketplaces. Fraudsters are taking advantage of this. They use tricks to lure their victims into acting carelessly or they deliberately mislead them. Trust your instinct. If it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Take a close look if you’re in any doubt and double check anything that...

16.11.2022 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy

The Federal Council wants to strengthen the Swiss patent

The Patents Act is to be adapted to international standards and the Swiss patent system is to be made more attractive to SMEs and individual inventors, in particular. They will be able to choose the patent examination procedure that suits their needs and resources. At its meeting on 16 November 2022, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the partial revision of the Patents Act for submission...

18.05.2022 | Media release, IPI

Federal Council adopts strategic objectives for Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property

On 18 May 2022, the Federal Council adopted the strategic objectives for the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) for the years 2022 to 2026. To boost innovation and competitiveness, the IPI has been tasked with promoting appropriate, economically viable protection of intellectual property in Switzerland in future too. For further information: Federal Council's media release...

03.05.2022 | Patents, Media release

Swiss Biotech Report 2022 shows sector again performs exceptionally at all levels

During 2021, Switzerland’s life sciences sector again played a major role in combating the COVID pandemic with two Swiss based companies developing in partnerships effective Covid-specific therapeutics (Humabs BioMed/Vir Biotechnology and Molecular Partners/Novartis). In addition, Swiss life science companies also continued their work developing innovative solutions for other high unmet medical...

05.04.2022 | Patents, Media release, IPI

Patent applications in Europe reach record level in 2021 despite pandemic

The European Patent Office (EPO) received 188 600 applications in 2021, up 4.5% on the previous year and the highest number to date. The EPO’s Patent Index 2021, published today, shows that patent filings rebounded significantly last year after a slight dip in 2020 (-0.6%). The number of patent applications – an early indicator of companies’ investments in research and development – increased in...

02.03.2022 | Patents, Trade Marks, Media release, Designs, IPI

Switzerland continues to be innovative during the pandemic

Swiss companies demonstrated their innovative spirit once again during the second year of the pandemic. More trade mark applications were filed in 2021 than in the previous year. Additionally, around 1,000 innovators carried out a search with the IPI to examine their inventions in detail. More trade mark applications are filed every year in Switzerland. This upward trend also continued during...

18.08.2021 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy

Modernising the patent examination procedure

The Federal Council acknowledged the results of the consultation on the partial revision of the Patents Act at its meeting of 18 August 2021 and decided on the further course of action. Modernising the patent examination procedure was, in principle, welcomed in the consultation. The Federal Council has decided to take into account the criticism voiced in individual areas by making adjustments to...

18.08.2021 | Media release, Law and policy, Indications of source

Swiss producers to benefit from better international protection for geographical indications

Swiss producers will in future be able to register geographical indications in several states simultaneously via a simple procedure. At its meeting on 18 August 2021, the Federal Council approved the entry into force of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications as well as the implementing ordinances per 1 December 2021. You can find further...

26.05.2021 | Media release, Law and policy

Digital economy performs well

At its meeting on 26 May 2021, the Federal Council took note of the report (in German and French, pdf) by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) entitled ‘Access to non-personal data in the private sector’. The digital economy significantly contributes to the economic performance of Switzerland. To facilitate access to non-personal data held by the private sector, the report...

01.04.2021 | Media release, Law and policy, Law enforcement

United against ‘Swissness’ misuse – the IPI and Swiss exporters are working together

Statutory regulations have been in force since 1 January 2017 for products and services that producers want to promote with ‘Swissness’, such as with a Swiss cross or a ‘Swiss Made’ label, for example. The aim of these rules is to protect the ‘Swiss’ brand from misuse and secure companies that produce in Switzerland an important long-term competitive advantage. The ‘Swissness’ legislation...

31.03.2021 | Media release, IPI

IPI Director General becomes delegate in the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation

The Director General of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) will prepare the business of the Administrative Council in this eight-member body for the next three years. The Council supervises the activities of the European Patent Office. The 38 member states of the EPO, which has its headquarters in Munich, include all EU states as well as Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

23.03.2021 | IPI, Media release, Patents, Trade Marks

Counterfeits are costing Switzerland dearly – a new OECD study concludes

Buying counterfeits costs consumers huge sums of money. The corresponding trade damages the good reputation of Swiss companies and reduces their turnover by billions each year. As a result, in 2018, Switzerland forfeited over 10,000 jobs. For the first time, a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has provided concrete figures on the issue. Global trade...

17.03.2021 | Media release, Patents

Switzerland still in the lead – despite fewer patent applications

The number of patent applications received by the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2020 from Switzerland has fallen by 1.9% to 8,112 according to the EPO’s newly published Patent Index 2020. The EPO reports that this is the first decline in Swiss patent applications since 2009 (-2.9%), the year after the start of the financial crisis. Despite the declining trend, however, Switzerland was still...

26.02.2021 | IPI, Media release

Study shows that points of contact for Swiss inventors and creatives score highly

Switzerland is a country of inventors. Start-ups and SMEs reinforce this reputation with their innovations and creative achievements. Intellectual property and its protection is a key piece of the puzzle for a company on the path to success.  It is only when a SME knows how to manage their intellectual assets and how to protect their own innovations that they are able to make strategic and...

18.12.2020 | Media release, Indications of source, Law and policy

The ‘Swiss’ brand is adequately protected

The legal criteria for the long-term protection of ‘Swissness’ are fulfilling their purpose. This has been confirmed in studies commissioned by the Federal Council. They are adding value to the Swiss economy and are also leading to a decrease in cases of ‘Swissness’ misuse, particularly within Switzerland. However, in a report approved on 18 December 2020, the Federal Council sees potential for...

17.12.2020 | Patents, Media release

A new record – more than one thousand inventions under the microscope eading

Even in this challenging year, the spirit of innovation in Switzerland has remained intact. The thousandth invention this year was examined for its patenting potential in November at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). The IPI had already carried out one thousand assisted patent searches by November this year. This service supports inventors in finding out where they...

23.11.2020 | Media release, Law enforcement

Every year, the fake goods business booms, in particular, in the run up to Christmas

Watch out when shopping online because toys, clothes, jewellery accessories and new high-tech products are all very much in demand in the pre-Christmas period. It is the season when many consumers expect to bag a really good bargain. You can find further information in the STOP PIRACY media release.

14.10.2020 | Media release, Patents, Law and policy

An attractive Swiss patent system for SMEs – the consultation procedure on the Patents Act revision has been opened

The Federal Council wants to modernise the Swiss patent system and adapt it to international standards. It opened the consultation procedure on the partial revision of the Patents Act on 14 October 2020. The consultation proposes that a patent should only be granted if the invention to be patented is novel and innovative. This would lead to more legal certainty and increase the value of granted...

05.06.2020 | Indications of source, Media release

Better international protection for Swiss geographical indications

Swiss producers should in future be able to register geographical indications in several states simultaneously via a simple procedure. The Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the approval and implementation (amendment of trade mark law) of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications for submission to Parliament at its meeting on 5 June 2020. ...

26.05.2020 | Law and policy, Patents, Media release

Daren Tang appointed as next WIPO Director General

At their General Assembly, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) appointed Daren Tang of Singapore as the new Director General. He will succeed Francis Gurry, who has led the organisation for twelve years. Mr Tang’s six-year term of office will begin on 1 October. With reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Director General emphasised that, more than...

04.03.2020 | Media release, Trade Marks, Patents, Designs, IPI

Trade marks in Switzerland still at a high

Trade marks in Switzerland continue to be popular. More than 17,000 applications for trade marks were received by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) in 2019, which is slightly more than the previous year. There are now more than 500,000 trade marks in force nationally. Applications for design rights, on the other hand, have remained stable, while the number of patent...

26.02.2020 | Media release, Copyright

Fit for the digital age – modernised copyright rules to come into force on 1 April 2020

The revised Copyright Act strengthens the rights of creative artists and cultural industries, as well as facilitating research. The Federal Council put into force the revised act, which adapts the applicable law to technological developments, as of 1 April 2020. Further information can be found in the Federal Council's media release (only available in German, French and Italian).

15.01.2020 | Media release, Law and policy

Greater efficiency in the fight against counterfeiting

Whether it is counterfeit watches or handbags, it should soon be easier for the Federal Customs Administration (FCA) to destroy fake products in small consignments. A new procedure aims to reduce the administrative effort by giving the authorities more leeway for their checks. These checks are essential – the importation of small consignments from Asia into Switzerland increased sixfold between...

29.11.2019 | Media release

Corina Eichenberger-Walther to take over the presidency of the Institute Council of the IPI

The Federal Council has elected Corina Eichenberger-Walther as President of the Institute Council of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property within the framework of the elections of the extra-parliamentary commissions and federal management bodies. Also elected to the Institute Council is Prof. Dr. Oliver Gassman, while the other members of the council were re-elected for the...

02.09.2019 | Media release, Law and policy, Indications of source

Better international protection for Swiss quality products

The agreement between Georgia and Switzerland on the protection of geographical indications and use of the indication of source “Switzerland” comes into force on 1 September 2019. It protects well-known Swiss indications and contributes to maintaining the long-term reputation of Swiss quality products. Key points at a glance: The agreement lists protected designations. This means that, in...

22.05.2019 | Media release, Indications of source, Law and policy

Geographical indications – Swiss producers should benefit from a simple international protection system

Bündnerfleisch, Formaggio d'alpe ticinese or the designation “Swiss” for watches – geographical indications offer an important competitive edge in the global market. This is why it should in future be possible for Swiss producers to obtain protection for such indications in all member states of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement via a simple, cost-effective application procedure. The Federal...

30.04.2019 | Media release, Law and policy, Law enforcement

The measures introduced to combat “Swissness” misuse yield results

Successful measures in the fight against misuse of “Swissness” and fewer offences in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) reports a positive result for the year 2018. The key points at a glance: In 2018, the IPI did not have to initiate any criminal proceedings in Switzerland. In the 78 interventions led by the IPI, all of the companies involved were...

17.04.2019 | Media release, Patents

Lower annual fees for Swiss patents

From 1 July 2019, new annual fees will apply to Swiss patents and supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). The Federal Council approved the amendment to the IPI Fee Ordinance on 17 April 2019. As a result, a Swiss patent will be less expensive over its entire maximum term of validity. The annual fees will continue to increase in line with the term of the patent. However, they will now...

14.02.2019 | Media release, Trade Marks

More than half a million trade marks in Switzerland

Almost 1 ,000 trade marks were applied for at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) in 2018. As a result, there are now more than 500 000 trade marks in force for the first time in Switzerland. Registering a trade mark protects companies from free-riders, although trade marks are not the only thing that companies and private individuals can apply to register. This is also...

08.11.2018 | IPI, Media release

Two new IPI executive board members

The Institute Council of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) has appointed Jürgen Horwath and Iwan Guler as new members of the IPI Executive Board. Mr Guler, whose appointment comes into effect in April 2019, follows in the footsteps of Ueli Buri, who has been selected as the new Data Protection Commissioner of the Canton of Bern. Jürgen Horwath will become an executive...

21.09.2018 | Law and policy, Media release

Revisions to Patents Act as per 1 January 2019

A partial revision to the Patents Act and its implementing provisions will come into force together with an ordinary revision of the Therapeutic Products Act on 1 January 2019. This was decided by the Federal Council at its meeting on 21 September 2018 (Media release of 21 September 2018 in German/French/Italian).The partial revision introduces the following improvements for medical personnel,...

31.05.2018 | Law and policy, Media release

Better international protection for Swiss quality products

Georgia and Switzerland have today signed a bilateral agreement on the mutual protection of their geographical indications and the indication of source Switzerland. The agreement protects well-known Swiss indications and thus contributes to the preservation of the reputation of Swiss quality products over the long term. “Geographical indications and indications of source are an important marketing...

22.11.2017 | Law and policy, Copyright, Media release

Federal Council adapts copyright law to the digital age

With the revision to the Copyright Act, the Federal Council wants to strengthen the rights and interests of creative artists and the cultural industries by taking a resolute approach to pirated online content. At the same time, it upholds the principle that consumers who take advantage of such illegal offers will not be criminalised. By providing measures that support research and libraries, it...

29.09.2017 | Media release, Law and policy

Monitoring Office for Technological Measures to be transferred to the IPI

On 1 January 2018, the Monitoring Office for Technological Measures (OTM) will be transferred to the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). The Federal Council adapted the Copyright Ordinance accordingly at its meeting of 29 September 2017. Media release in German, French, Italian (pdf)

02.12.2016 | Media release

Modernisation of copyright law generally welcomed

On 2 December 2016, the Federal Council acknowledged the results of the consultation on the partial revision of the Copyright Act (CopA). The report on the results shows that modernising copyright law is generally welcomed although views on the course to take diverge widely. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) is therefore currently carrying out a review and will submit a proposal...

02.12.2016 | Media release

Harmonisation of procedures before the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property and new Fee Ordinance

On 2 December 2016, the Federal Council adopted amendments to the Trade Mark Ordinance, the Design Ordinance and the Patent Ordinance. These amendments harmonise procedures before the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) to the extent permitted by applicable law. This is to simplify the system. The Federal Council has, at the same time, approved the formal total revision of...

23.11.2016 | Media release

Strengthening “Swiss Made” for cosmetics: new "Swiss Made" Ordinance comes into force on 1.1.2017

The Federal Council approved the "Swiss Made" Ordinance for Cosmetics at its meeting on 23 November 2016. This strengthens the good reputation of the “Swiss Made” brand for cosmetics as well as Switzerland as a location for research and production. The ordinance enters into force on 1 January 2017. More information. Media release in German / French / Italian

02.09.2015 | Media release

The Federal Council approves the 'Swissness' legislative amendment and opens the consultation procedure on a draft for an amendment to the 'Swiss Made' Ordinance for Watches

The Federal Council carried out Parliament's mandate on Wednesday and approved the implementing ordinances for the 'Swissness' legislative amendment. In doing so, the Federal Council has fully utilised the legal framework available. It has taken into consideration the legitimate concerns of the industries concerned as well as all substantive recommendations made by the parliamentary committees...

03.07.2015 | Media release

Catherine Chammartin to become new Director General of the Institute of Intellectual Property

The Federal Council appointed Catherine Chammartin as the new Director General of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) on Wednesday. She will take up her post on 1 November 2015. Medienmitteilung (pdf, 18 KB)Communiqué de presse (pdf, 124 KB)Comunicato stampa (pdf, 124 KB)

15.06.2015 | Media release

The Institute of Intellectual Property financially supports the participation of indigenous peoples at a WIPO seminar in June 2015

The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) is financing the participation of indigenous peoples at a seminar of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The seminar aims to serve as a platform for the direct transfer of information and knowledge on the subjects of intellectual property, genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore, with participation aiming to...

01.09.2014 | Media release

Agreement on geographical indications between Switzerland and Jamaica enters into force

The agreement between Switzerland and Jamaica on the protection of geographical indications (GIs) enters into force today. It improves protection for designations such as Emmental, Gruyère and Switzerland as well as the Swiss cross and the cantonal coats of arms. For further information, please see the press release.

30.06.2014 | Law and policy, Media release

Better protection for 'Made in Switzerland' and the Swiss cross

The Federal Council began the consultation procedure for the four 'Swissness' implementing regulations on 20 June 2014. See press release (available in German, French and Italian only, pdf 24 KB). These ordinances further specify the improvements adopted by Parliament on protecting the 'Made in Switzerland' designation and the Swiss cross with precise rules and lead to more clarity and legal...

25.06.2014 | Law and policy, Media release

Tajikistan and Switzerland signed a Memorandum of Understanding

Tajikistan and Switzerland signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of a new cooperation project focusing on intellectual property (press release, pdf 388 KB).

06.06.2014 | Media release, Law and policy

Modernisation of copyright

The Federal Council is aiming to modernise copyright law and adapt the rights and obligations of creative artists, consumers and providers to the realities of the internet through targeted measures. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will draft a bill for the consultation procedure by the end of 2015. For this draft bill, the FDJP will draw up on recommendations approved by the...