The Swiss Federal Audit Office (EFK) conducted an audit of the IPI’s supervision of the collecting societies in February 2014. The audit report, published in July 2014, gives the IPI a good report card. But it also includes four recommendations for action. Report (in German)Summary (in German)

The interpellation Quadri 12.3396 - Der Auftrag der Suisa an die Yacast schadet der schweizerischen Musikproduktion (‘Suisa’s contract to Yacast damages Swiss music production’) was submitted during the Spring session 2014. It involves the automatic reporting of works of music played in clubs and discos.

On 1st of July 2014, the bilateral Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and China has entered into force. This treaty contains a chapter dedicated to the protection of intellectual property. For more information.

Since Tuesday, 24 June 2014, the electronic trade mark examination support tool now contains all geographical indications protected through international treaties in Switzerland. However, as this involves more than 8,000 indications, the international treaties are not displayed in a standard search. To search for protected geographical indications, the 'international treaties' option should...

Tajikistan and Switzerland signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of a new cooperation project focusing on intellectual property (press release, pdf 388 KB).

The Federal Council began the consultation procedure for the four 'Swissness' implementing regulations on 20 June 2014. See press release (available in German, French and Italian only, pdf 24 KB). These ordinances further specify the improvements adopted by Parliament on protecting the 'Made in Switzerland' designation and the Swiss cross with precise rules and lead to more clarity and legal...

The Institute has revised its trademark guidelines. The revised guidelines come into effect on 1st of July 2014 and are published on the site of the Institute in German, French and Italian.Complete news text in German, French or Italian.

The Federal Council is aiming to modernise copyright law and adapt the rights and obligations of creative artists, consumers and providers to the realities of the internet through targeted measures. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will draft a bill for the consultation procedure by the end of 2015. For this draft bill, the FDJP will draw up on recommendations approved by the...

The European Patent Office (EPO) currently maintains euro accounts in various member states for the purpose of fee payments. The EPO has recently communicated that it will close its account at the UBS AG Zurich at the end of August 2014. From 1 September 2014, payments to the EPO are to be paid to the following account: IBAN DE20 7008 0000 0333 8800 00BIC DRESDEFF700Commerzbank AGPromenadeplatz...