"Swissness"
The new "Swissness" legislation strengthens the designation "Switzerland" and the Swiss cross. It helps to prevent and curb their misuse so that the value of the "Swiss" label is maintained in the long term.
Protected public signs
Trade marks can also come into conflict with protected public signs, such as flags and coats of arms of the Confederation and the cantons, emblems of foreign countries, and signs of international organisations. You can avoid such conflicts by checking the list of protected public signs.
Trade marks may not contain protected national and international emblems such as flags and coats of arms.
Names, abbreviations and emblems (other signs) of the United Nations Organization and other intergovernmental organisations may not be used as a trade mark or an element of a trade mark.
If we find that such an infringement exists when examining a trade mark application, we will refuse to register the trade mark.
Inform yourself about protected signs
It is best to check that you are not using a protected sign without permission when you are in the process of creating your trade mark.
All abbreviations and emblems (other signs) of the United Nations Organization and other intergovernmental organisations that have been published in the Swiss Federal Gazette can be found in the lists on our website:
You can find an overview of these and other signs protected under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention in the database of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Finally, in our List of Protected Public Signs you can find all protected signs in one place. The database contains protected Swiss and foreign signs, as well as signs of the United Nations Organization and other intergovernmental organisations.
News
Events
24.02.2020 | Law and policy, Event, Training
«CAS IP Law»: Course begins in autumn
...more
08.11.2019 | Event
Symposium on Creative Approaches to Improving Access to Medicines Globally
...more