Patent protection

What is protected?

Inventions, i.e. new technical solutions to technical problems

How is it protected?

Granting of the patent

Minimum requirements
  • Novel
  • Industrially applicable
  • Inventive step
  • Disclosure of the invention
Not protected
  • Animal breeds and plant varieties
  • Diagnostic, therapeutic or surgical procedures on humans or animals
  • Use which goes against public order or public morality
  • Certain biotechnological inventions
What exceptions are there?

Private use, research and teaching

Scope of protection

Defined in the patent claims

Period of protection

Max. 20 years

Common symbols or references

+pat+; pat. pend. (patent pending)
Use is optional, misuse is punishable by law

Application fees (CH)

CHF 200 (for the application),
CHF 500 (Swiss Patent Application Search)
CHF 500 (examination)

Annual fees (CH)

CHF 100 for the 4th year, after which the fees increase annually

Unique to Switzerland

There is no official examination for novelty and inventive step in Switzerland. The IPI therefore recommends carrying out a patent search.

 

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