Overview of 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
Use is optional, misuse is punishable by law
Application fees (CH)
CHF 200 (for the application),
CHF 500 (examination),
including protection for the first three years
CHF 500 (examination),
including protection for the first three years
Annual fees (CH)
CHF 100 for the 4th year. After that, fees rise annually by CHF 20–100 up to CHF 960 for the 20th year
Unique to Switzerland
There is no official examination for novelty and inventive step in Switzerland. The IPI therefore recommends carrying out a patent search.
