Which is the competent authority for patent applications for inventions in Switzerland?

Novelty grace period is available if the design is disclosed by the designer or the designer's representative within 12 months before the application to IGE/IPI.

no

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant

yes. It is allowed to include multiple designs in one design application.

Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property

English: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, referred to as:

Website: Startseite - Eidgenössisches Institut für Geistiges Eigentum

Swiss Invention Patent Search: Swissreg - Institute for Intellectual Property

no

3-5 years

1 year

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."

IGE/IPI only conducts formality examination of design patent applications. No novelty review is performed. Applicants may request a 30-month delay in publication.