Patents
This represents an increase of 7,164 patents over the previous year.
For IP professionals
This is the portal for professionals working in the field of intellectual property. Here you'll find direct access to all necessary resources.
Quick links
- Trade Mark Database
- Register changes for trade marks
- Swissreg
- Madrid Monitor
- TMview
- E-trademark
- International trade mark registration
- Trade Mark Guidelines (German, French, Italian)
- Classification tool for trade marks
- Trade mark examination support tool
- Trade marks: Costs and fees
- Trade marks: WIPO fee calculator
- Cancellation procedure for trade marks on the grounds of non-use
- Protected public signs: Abbreviations
- Protected public signs: Other signs (emblems)
- Directory of Intellectual Property Offices
- Trade marks: News Service Archive
- Patents: Patent Examination Guidelines (German, French)
- Patents: Fees
News
Patent statistics
As of 31 December 2021, a total of 146,716 patents were in force in Switzerland. This can be divided into 6,623 national patents and 140,093 European patents. The first figure refers to inventions that have been filed for patent protection directly with the IPI. The considerably higher figure refers to patents filed with the European Patent Office (EPO), which are also in effect in Switzerland.
Assisted patent searches in 2021 – inventions under the microscope
The IPI offers assisted patent searches. Together with a patent expert, the client can take an in-depth look at questions relating to patenting an innovation. Clients receive valuable search results which support them in making decisions concerning their idea or invention. This service is aimed at SMEs, individual inventors, research institutes and companies supported by research and innovation funding.
In 2021, the IPI carried out 996 assisted patent searches. Most requests came from the canton of Zurich (288).
1. Zurich 288
2. Bern 133
3. Vaud 92
4. Aargau 75
5. St. Gallen 51
Source: The IPI
Patents in annual comparison
Anyone who wants to patent an invention in Switzerland must apply to the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). In addition, patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) are also active in Switzerland.
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National applications | 1 555 | 1 590 | 1 720 | 1 616 | 1 628 |
National patents granted | 724 | 747 | 615 | 615 | 771 |
National patents in force | 6 623 | 6 782 | 7 066 | 7 235 | 7 351 |
Patents granted by EPO(1) | 140 093 | 132 770 | 124 635 | 115 684 | 109 407 |
Total number of patents in force | 146 716 | 139 552 | 131 719 | 122 800 | 116 758 |
(1) Patents in force: All patents, for which an annual fee had been paid in Switzerland as of 31.12.2021, were taken into account.
Further details
- Patent applications, patents granted and European and international patent applications (in German and French)
- National patent applications submitted according to IPC technical classification (in German)
- National patents granted according to IPC technical classification (in German)
- National patent numbers according to year of publication as of 1888 (in German, French and Italian)
News
24.05.2022 | Patents, Trade Marks
A strategy for success – how a Swiss start-up protects its inventions
...more
18.05.2022 | Media release, IPI
Federal Council adopts strategic objectives for Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
...more
17.05.2022 | Patents, Trade Marks, Law and policy, Designs
Termination of the Agreement between Switzerland and Germany on Reciprocal Protection for Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
...more
Events
14.04.2022 | Patents, Event, IPI
EPO/IPI - invitation to a free public online seminar on patenting topics in green tech
...more
01.10.2021 | Event, Partners and initiatives, IPI
How SMEs protect their primary raw material – know-how
...more