The Patents Act is to be adapted to international standards, and the Swiss patent system is to be made more attractive to SMEs and individual inventors, in particular. The valued partially examined patent will remain in place as a low-cost and easily obtainable IP right. However, patent examinations will be supplemented by a search that determines whether the invention is eligible for protection. Swiss patents will thus become more transparent and secure. In addition, it will be possible to apply for a full examination of a patent in Switzerland. Other changes include a streamlined appeal procedure and the option of using documents in English in the patent granting procedure.

This section provides information on the ongoing legislative process regarding the partial revision of the Patents Act.