Region: Switzerland

Featured in Designs: A Global Guide 2019

Swiss design is characterised by its hybrid status – it is influenced by the German tradition of functionalism and the Italian radical design of the 1960s. Swiss design lies somewhere between ‘form follows function’ and ‘anything goes’ – it is functional yet rich; linear while unexpected; practical and refreshing.

08 January 2019

The Swiss Administration Court has issued a new judgment, which provides useful guidance on 2D and 3D elements. The court overruled the IP Office’s decision to extend protection of the Nussknackermännchen (nutcracker) trademark to Switzerland.

07 December 2018

The Swiss Supreme Court has held that beer sold under the name Lozärner beer (“beer from Lucerne”) would mislead the average consumer into believing that it was brewed in the city or canton of Lucerne.

15 October 2018

The Swiss Federal Administrative Court has agreed with the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property that there was no likelihood of confusion between the marks IMPERIAL and TIERRA IMPERIAL in Class 33.

25 September 2018

Featured in World Trademark Review Yearbook 2019/2020

Any natural or legal person can apply for trademark registration in Switzerland (restrictions apply to geographical marks). Foreign applicants must indicate a service address for use in Switzerland.

10 September 2018

This week the Wimbledon tennis tournament got underway, with media reports noting how reigning champion Roger Federer “stunned onlookers by turning out on Centre Court in Uniqlo gear”. The focus then turned to the absence of his often-used RF logo, which is caught up in an ownership wrangle.

05 July 2018

We look at a new law in China that could boost the fight against fakes, a comedian seeking over $100 million in infringement damages, a leaked email revealing “efforts to trademark Clean Meat”, and much more.

29 June 2018

In a decision which highlights its strict approach to packaging registration, the Swiss Federal Administrative Court has upheld the refusal of Storck's application for blue, white and grey packaging in Class 30.

30 May 2018

The theme of today’s World IP Day is ‘Powering change: Women in innovation and creativity’. In the first of a two-part piece, corporate trademark professionals reflect on the topic of the day.

26 April 2018

The Swiss Federal Administrative Court has held that there was no likelihood of confusion between the trademarks SIGNIFOR and SIGNASOL for pharmaceutical preparations in Class 5.

20 April 2018