Newsletter no. 1/2024 “Legal Information”

Dear reader

We are pleased to send you the “Legal Information” newsletter no. 1/2024.

More transparency in the area of patent rights in plant breeding

Today, the Federal Council submitted a draft on the revision of patent law for consultation. The draft proposes the establishment of a clearing house at the IPI to increase transparency regarding patent rights in plant breeding.

It is important for breeders to be able to find out whether a variety that they want to use in breeding has a patented characteristic. The proposed clearing house would simplify this process. Breeders would have access to a new online platform where they could publish varieties that they want to use in breeding. Patent owners could then respond if their IP rights are affected.

The preliminary draft on the revision of the Patents Act implements the requests set out in motion 22.3014 ‘More transparency in the area of patents in plant breeding’ of the Science, Education and Culture Committee of the Council of States. The consultation procedure is due to end on 12 September 2024.

Federal Council media release

Further information on our website

Yours faithfully

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
Felix Addor, Deputy Director General