IGE/IPI only conducts formality examination of design patent applications. No novelty review is performed. Applicants may request a 30-month delay in publication.
The initial protection is 5 years, which can be renewed 4 times, each time for 5 years, and the maximum protection can be 25 years.
no
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.
yes. It is allowed to include multiple designs in one design application.
3-5 years
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
no
1 year
- Licensing Fee: None.
- Annuity: payable year by year starting from the fourth year from the date of application. The payment date can be the last day of the month where the application date is located. Overdue annual fees can be paid within a grace period of six months, and a penalty of 50.00 Swiss francs must be paid at the same time.