From 1 July 2021, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) will administer patents and designs, alongside trade marks, in the new electronic IP rights administration system. This successfully concludes a project which has been running for several years and which brings a lot of changes for the IPI and the day-to-day work of its employees.

The project aimed not only to replace an outdated technology, but also:

• To automate repetitive tasks
• To introduce electronic files
• To develop a future-proof product that can be easily adapted to new needs

The introduction of the administration system also creates the technical requirements for expanding electronic communication with the IPI’s customers and other offices.

While developing the new administration system, the IPI harmonised the procedures for patents, trade marks and designs, which has made it possible to create synergies and reduce the complexity of the systems. As a result, from 1 July 2021 onwards, the administrative units for trade mark, design and patent procedures are being merged into the new Applications & Registers unit. This will be located within the Trade Mark & Design Division.

For applicants and owners of patents and designs, the introduction of the new system involves some changes to the usual processes. You can find a summary of all changes in the document entitled ‘Launch of the electronic IP rights administration system for patents and designs’ (in German, in French or in Italian).