Overview of trade mark protection
What is protected?
Registered signs from misuse by others
How does it become protected?
Registration in the trade mark register
Minimum requirements
- Does not infringe on others’ rights
- Distinctive
- Not descriptive
- Not against public order or public morality
Not protected for
- Simple signs
- Abbreviations
- Generic designations
- Coats of arms
- etc
What are the exceptions?
When not used as a trade mark
Scope of protection
Defined by the sign and the goods and services classes
Period of protection
10 years (indefinitely renewable)
Indications of protection
- ® = registered trade mark
- ™ = trade mark
Filing fee (CH)
CHF 450
E-discount
CHF 100
Renewal fee until 30.6.2024 (CH)
CHF 700 (10 years)
Renewal fee from 1.7.2024 (CH)
CHF 550 (10 years)
Unique to Switzerland
Infringement of earlier IP rights not examined for (trade mark search recommended)
