Where is a patent valid?
A patent is protected in the country in which it is registered and in which it is in force. One exception, however, is a Swiss patent, which is also valid in Liechtenstein by virtue of a patent cooperation treaty.
An invention may, in principle, be freely used by anybody in those countries where it isn't protected.
This means that a juicer protected only in Switzerland can be produced by somebody else in France. However, you reserve the right to have it imported into Switzerland. This means you can prevent it being imported or, for example, allow it to be imported on payment of a licence fee.
If you want to protect your invention in additional countries, you must file a patent there in good time. You can do this by patenting your invention in Switzerland and then extending protection to other countries afterwards. Or you can choose an international application procedure.
- If a competitor acts unfairly, the Federal Act on Unfair Competition can help.
News
01.01.2021 | Law and policy
The sic! journal in partnership with the Helbing Lichtenhahn Verlag from 2021
...more
18.12.2020 | Media release, Indications of source, Law and policy
The ‘Swiss’ brand is adequately protected
...more
17.12.2020 | Patents, Media release
A new record – more than one thousand inventions under the microscope eading
...more
Events
30.09.2020 | Event, IPI, Partners and initiatives
Swiss Innovation Forum 2020 to be held as an online festival
...more
24.02.2020 | Law and policy, Event, Training
«CAS IP Law»: Course begins in autumn
...more