Increase in trademark fees announced

The Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE) has announced that the fees for trademarks and patents are due to rise. The Federal Council has approved the relevant amendment of the IGE's Fee Ordinance, with the increase due to take effect as of January 1 2014.

Since 2006, the IGE no longer receives contributions from the state, and therefore is required to finance itself - mostly through fees. The last fee reduction dates back to 2008. Since then, certain changes - mainly economic - have resulted in a need for higher fees. There are three main reasons for the increase:

• the income from the European patent annuities is less than estimated;
• financial yields have dropped due to the weak economy; and
• the financial contribution to the newly established Federal Patent Court has created an additional burden.

These losses thus had to be balanced by the introduction of higher fees.

The fees for trademark applications and registrations will remain the same, except the fees for renewal. These fees will be increased from Sfr550 to Sfr700. Furthermore, the annual fees for patents will be structured progressively.

After seven consecutive reductions of fees, this first increase in a long time aims to return to a balanced budget. The changes to the fee schedule will take effect on January 1 2014.

Marco Bundi, Meisser & Partners AG, Klosters