Filing European and international patent applications

You can file a European or an international application with the relevant authorities. Provided that you or your company is domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, you can also file it with us and we will forward it to the relevant authorities.

A uniform law applies in Lichtenstein and Switzerland for patent matters. Therefore, a Swiss patent is automatically valid in Lichtenstein too.

Please note:

Preparing a patent application without any errors and answering any objections correctly can be difficult for those with no experience in patenting. In this instance, we strongly recommend that you seek advice from a patent attorney.

European patent applications

You can file the application either directly with the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich or at its branch offices in The Hague or in Berlin, or with us. If you file your application with us, you can also submit it by post, fax or email. You can request the necessary documentation and forms either from us or from the EPO.

www.epo.org/applying.html
European Patent Office (EPO)
D-80298 Munich, Germany
Tel. 00 800 80 20 20 20
Fax +49 89/2399-4465

International patent applications (PCT)

You can file an international application with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva or with the IPI. If you file your application with us, you can submit your documentation by post, fax or online via the WIPO's ePCT portal (in this instance, select the IPI as Receiving Office). If you file your application online, you benefit from a reduction in the filing fee. If filing by fax, you must also submit the original documentation by post.

We would be happy to provide you with further information. The WIPO also has a guideline available that provides detailed information about the international (PCT) procedure.

http://www.wipo.int/pct/en
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
chemin des Colombettes 34
1211 Genf 20
Tel. +41 22 338 8338
Fax +41 22 388 8339