WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide CH - Schweiz
Eidgenössisches Institut für Geistiges Eigentum

    Applicable as from 4. April 2024
    (published on 8. August 2024)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    GENERAL INFO: Payment methods
    RO: Electronic filing, Incorporation by reference
    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: National phase, Restoration of the right of priority, Reinstatement of rights
    List of changes

    Alle verfügbaren Versionen

    [MT] Nützliche Informationen zu den Ferienwohnungen

    [MT] Der PCT-Anmelderleitfaden wird fast wöchentlich mit Informationen aktualisiert, die vom Internationalen Büro eingehen.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    [MT] Liste der in diesem Dokument verwendeten Abkürzungen :
    Office: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
    PatG: Federal Law on Patents for Inventions
    PatV: Ordinance on Patents for Inventions
    [MT] Liste der in diesem Dokument verwendeten Währungen :
    CHF (Schweizer Franken)
    [MT] Länder und Büros Information :
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    [MT] Büroprofil
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    [MT] PCT Vorbehalte, Erklärungen, Notifizierungen und Unvereinbarkeiten
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    [MT] Büro Geschlossene Termine
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    [MT] Internationale Phase

    [MT] Anhang B - Angaben über Vertragsstaaten oder zwischenstaatliche Organisationen

    [MT] Vertragsstaat :
    Schweiz
    [MT] Zwei-Buchstaben-Code :
    CH
    [MT] Name des Büros:
    Eidgenössisches Institut für Geistiges Eigentum
    Ort :
    Stauffacherstrasse 65/59g
    CH-3003 Bern
    Switzerland
    [MT] Postanschrift :
    Same as above
    [MT] Telefon :
    (41-31) 377 77 77
    [MT] E-Mail :
    info@ipi.ch
    [MT] Website :
    [MT] Fax :
    None
    [MT] Nimmt das Amt die Einreichung von Unterlagen per Telefax oder auf ähnliche Weise an ( Regel 92.4 PCT )?
    Nein
    [MT] Würde das Amt bei Verlust oder Verspätung einen Nachweis über die Versendung eines Schriftstücks akzeptieren, wenn ein anderer Zustelldienst als die Postbehörden in Anspruch genommen wird ( Regel 82.1 PCT )?
    Nein
    [MT] Ist das Amt bereit, Anmeldern die Möglichkeit zu geben, Anmeldungen dem WIPO-Digitalzugangsdienst für Prioritätsdokumente ( DAS ) ( Regel 17.1 b - bis PCT ) zur Verfügung zu stellen?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    For applications filed at their Office on or after 1 December 2023.
    Yes the office is prepared to allow applicants to make national patent applications available to the WIPO DAS
    [MT] Zuständiges(e) Anmeldeamt(e) für internationale Anmeldungen, die von Staatsangehörigen oder Einwohnern dieses Staates eingereicht werden:
    CH,
    EP,
    IB
    [MT] Beschränkt die nationale Gesetzgebung die Einreichung internationaler Anmeldungen bei ausländischen Ämtern?
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] Zuständige benannte ( oder gewählte ) Stelle (n ) für diesen Staat :
    National protection: CH (refer to National Phase)
    European patent: EP (refer to National Phase)
    [MT] Arten des Schutzes, die über das PCT angeboten werden:
    National: Patents
    European: Patents
    [MT] Vom Amt akzeptierte Zahlungsarten :
    Payment by invoice or current account with the Office.
    [MT] Verfügbarkeit nach nationalem Recht für eine internationale Typrecherche ( Artikel 15 PCT) :
    Sections 126 and 127 of the 1978 Patent Regulations
    [MT] Vorläufiger Schutz nach internationaler Veröffentlichung :
    Where the designation is made for the purposes of a national patent:
    The published international patent application gives the applicant, after the granting of the patent, the right to bring an action for damages. The injured party may invoke the damages caused by the defendant as from the time at which the latter became aware of the contents of the international application, but at the latest as from the date of publication of the application by the International Bureau (Law of 25 June 1954, as amended on 17 December 1976, Sec. 137 in relation with Sec. 111)
    If the international application has not been published in a Swiss official language, the date to be taken into consideration for the claim of damages is that on which the applicant communicated to the defendant a translation of the claims in a Swiss official language, or made the translation available to the public through the intermediary of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (Law of 25 June 1954, as amended on 17 December 1976, Sec. 137 in relation with Sec. 112).
    Where the designation is made for the purposes of a European patent:
    The published international application gives the applicant, after the granting of the European patent, the right to bring an action for damages; however, any national requirements relating to the translation of the claims in the application must be met
    [MT] Informationen von Interesse, wenn dieser Vertragsstaat benannt ( oder gewählt ) wird
    [MT] Zeitpunkt, zu dem Name und Anschrift des Erfinders anzugeben sind:
    May be in the request or may be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1); however, continuation of the procedure may be requested in case of failure to observe that time limit
    [MT] Gibt es besondere Bestimmungen für die Ablage von Mikroorganismen und anderem biologischem Material?
    Yes, refer to Annex L.
    [MT] Für ein europäisches Patent
    Refer to Annex B(EP)

    [MT] Anhang C - Annahmestelle

    [MT] Zuständige Empfangsstelle für Staatsangehörige und Einwohner von :
    CH,
    LI
    [MT] Sprache, in der internationale Anmeldungen eingereicht werden können:
    English,
    French,
    German
    [MT] Sprache, die für sprachabhängigen Freitext in der Reihenfolgenauflistung akzeptiert wird:
    English,
    French,
    German,
    or English and another filing language
    [MT] Sprache, in der der Antrag eingereicht werden kann:
    English,
    French,
    German
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    1
    [MT] Akzeptiert das Anmeldeamt die Einreichung internationaler Anmeldungen in elektronischer Form?
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this must be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format. If the receiving Office does not accept international applications in electronic form in such format, the international application will be transmitted to the International Bureau as receiving Office (PCT Rule 19.4(a)(ii-bis)).
    For the relevant notification by the Office, refer to the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 15 June 2017, pages 89 et seq. and 10 November 2022, pages 298 et seq.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    [MT] Nimmt das Anmeldeamt die Einreichung von Unterlagen vor der Umwandlung an und wenn ja, in welchem Format ( § 706 der PCT-Verwaltungsvorschriften )?
    Yes, any format
    [MT] Akzeptiert das Anmeldeamt die Einbeziehung durch Verweis ( Regel 20.6 PCT )?
    Ja
    [MT] Nimmt das Anmeldeamt die Einreichung von Farbzeichnungen auf informeller Basis an und übermittelt sie dem Internationalen Büro?
    Nein
    [MT] Nimmt das Anmeldeamt Anträge auf Wiederherstellung des Prioritätsrechts an ( Regel 26bis.3 PCT )?
    Yes, the Office applies the “due care” criterion to such requests
    [MT] Zuständige internationale Recherchenbehörde :
    EP
    [MT] Zuständige Behörde für die internationale vorläufige Prüfung :
    EP
    Fees payable to the RO:
    [MT] Übermittlungsgebühr :
    100 CHF
    [MT] Internationale Anmeldegebühr :
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    1,330 CHF
    [MT] Gebühr pro Blatt über 30 :
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    15 CHF
    [MT] Ermäßigungen ( unter Gebührentabelle, Posten 4 ) :
    [MT] Elektronische Einreichung ( Antrag in Zeichenkodierung ) :
    200 CHF
    [MT] Elektronische Einreichung ( Antrag, Beschreibung, Ansprüche und Zusammenfassung in Zeichenkodierung ) :
    300 CHF
    [MT] Suchgebühr :
    Refer to
    Annex D(EP)
    [MT] Gebühr für Prioritätsdokument ( Regel 17.1 b) PCT) :
    None
    [MT] Gebühr für den Antrag auf Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand des Prioritätsrechts ( Regel 26bis.3 d) PCT):
    500 CHF
    [MT] Ist ein Bevollmächtigter vom Anmeldeamt verlangt?
    Nein
    [MT] Wer kann als Agent agieren?
    Any natural or legal person resident in Switzerland or having an address for service in Switzerland.
    [MT] Verzicht auf Vollmacht :
    Waivers of powers of attorney do not apply (PCT Rule 90.4(e) and 90.5(d)) where the agent or common representative submits any notice of withdrawal during the international phase (PCT Rule 90bis.1 to 90bis.4, also refer to International Phase, paragraph IP 11.048).
    [MT] Hat das Amt auf die Vorlage einer gesonderten Vollmacht verzichtet?
    Ja
    [MT] Besondere Fälle, in denen eine gesonderte Vollmacht erforderlich ist:
    None
    [MT] Hat das Amt auf die Vorlage einer Abschrift einer allgemeinen Vollmacht verzichtet?
    Ja
    [MT] Besondere Fälle, in denen eine Kopie einer allgemeinen Vollmacht erforderlich ist:
    None

    [MT] Anhang L - Ablagerung von Mikroorganismen und anderem biologischem Material

    [MT] Anforderungen an designierte und gewählte Ämter
    Only Offices whose applicable national law contains provisions concerning the deposits of microorganisms and other biological material are listed in Annex L. Unless otherwise indicated, deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before these Offices with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
    For a list of these institutions refer to:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/pdf/idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/section_d/subsection_c.html)
    Notifications related thereto may be consulted under:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/
    Further information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:
    http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/index.html
    [MT] Zeitpunkt ( falls vorhanden ) vor 16 Monaten nach dem Prioritätstag, bis zu dem der Anmelder folgendes vorlegen muss :
    [MT] — die in Regel 13bis.3 Buchstabe a Ziffern i bis iii vorgeschriebenen Angaben:
    None
    [MT] — etwaige zusätzliche Angaben :
    None
    [MT] Zusätzliche Angaben ( falls vorhanden ), die zusätzlich zu den in Regel 13bis.3 Buchstabe a Ziffern i bis iii vorgeschriebenen Angaben aufgrund von Mitteilungen des Amtes zu machen sind :
    None
    [MT] Zusätzliche Informationen zu den Preisen
    Deposits may also be made for the purposes of patent procedure before the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property with FIB, IFO and IAM (https://www.ige.ch/). The furnishing of samples to a third party may be subject to the condition that that party indicates to the depositary institution its name and address for the purpose of information of the depositor and undertakes:
    (a) not to make available the deposited culture or a culture derived from it to a third party;
    (b) not to use the culture outside the purview of the law;
    (c) to produce, in case of a dispute, evidence that the obligations under items (a) and (b) have not been violated.

    [MT] Nationale Phase

    [MT] Zusammenfassung der Anforderungen für den Eintritt in die nationale Phase

    [MT] Fristen für den Eintritt in die nationale Phase :
    Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(a): 30 months from the priority date
    [MT] Erlaubt das Amt die Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand ( PCT-Regel 49.6 )?
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care” criterion.
    Reinstatement fee
    500 CHF
    [MT] Erforderliche Übersetzung der internationalen Anmeldung in ( eine der ) folgenden Sprachen :
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    French,
    German,
    Italian
    [MT] Erforderliche Inhalte der Übersetzung für den Eintritt in die nationale Phase :
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended), any text matter of drawings, abstract
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings (if any of those parts has been amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    [MT] Ist unter besonderen Umständen eine Abschrift der internationalen Anmeldung erforderlich?
    Nein
    [MT] Nimmt das Amt nach seinem nationalen Recht Farbzeichnungen an?
    Nein
    [MT] Nationale Gebühren :
    Must be paid within three months from the date of filing.
    [MT] Anmeldegebühr
    200 CHF
    [MT] Befreiungen, Ermäßigungen oder Rückerstattungen von Gebühren :
    None
    [MT] Besondere Anforderungen des Amtes ( Regel 51 bis PCT ) :
    Name and address of the inventor if they have not been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application
    Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1); however, continuation of the procedure may be requested in case of failure to observe that time limit.
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Address for service in Switzerland or appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in Switzerland or Liechtenstein
    If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    [MT] Wer kann als Agent agieren?
    Where the applicant has neither a residence nor a principal place of business in Switzerland, an address for service in Switzerland must be indicated (article 13 of the Federal Law on Patents for Inventions (PatG) within the time limit set out in paragraph 1 of article 124 of the Ordinance on Patents for Inventions (PatV). If no address for service is indicated within that time limit, the Office will allow an extension of two months to do so. The application will be refused in case of non-observation of that time limit.
    [MT] Akzeptiert das Amt die Wirkung der Wiederherstellung des Prioritätsrechts durch das Anmeldeamt ( Regel 49ter.1 PCT )?
    Ja
    [MT] Nimmt das Amt Anträge auf Wiederherstellung des Prioritätsrechts ( Regel 49ter.2 PCT ) entgegen?
    Yes, the Office applies the “due care” criterion to such requests

    [MT] Das Verfahren in der nationalen Phase

    [MT] CH.01 WIRKUNG EINER BENAMENUNG DER SCHWEIZ ODER LIECHTENSTEINS
    Under the Patent Treaty between Switzerland and Liechtenstein only a unitary patent for the two States can be granted; in an international application, therefore, the designation of either State automatically has the effect of the designation of both States, which cannot be designated independently from each other.
    [MT] CH.02 Verfahrenssprache
    PatG Sec. 131(2),
    PatV Art. 4(1),
    PatV Art. 4(3),
    PatV Art. 4(4)

    The language of proceedings is one of the official languages (French, German or Italian). If the international application has been filed in French or German, the language of proceedings is French or German, as the case may be; if not, the language of the translation which is furnished to the Office under PCT Article 22 or 39(1) is the language of proceedings. The language of proceedings cannot be changed. Written matter other than the text of the application is usually accepted in any of the official languages, but the Office reserves the right to request a translation into the language of proceedings.
    [MT] CH.03 ÜBERSETZUNG ( KORREKTUR )
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs NP 6.002 and NP 6.003). If the translation furnished to the Office is not complete, the Office will invite the applicant to furnish the missing part and will excuse the late furnishing.
    [MT] CH.04 NAME UND ADRESSE DES ERFINDERS ; ERFINDERERKLÄRUNG
    PatG Sec. 138,
    PatV Art. 34,
    PatV Art. 124(1)

    If the name and address of the inventor have not already been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application, the applicant must furnish the inventor’s name and address and make a declaration of inventorship on the form reproduced in Annex CH.II. Certification is not required. The declaration of inventorship must be written in or translated into one of the official languages (French, German or Italian) or in English. For time limits, refer to the Summary.
    [MT] CH.05 ADRESSE FÜR SERVICE
    PatG Sec. 13,
    PatV Art. 124

    Where the applicant has neither a residence nor a principal place of business in Switzerland, an address for service in Switzerland must be indicated (article 13 of the Federal Law on Patents for Inventions (PatG) within the time limit set out in paragraph 1 of article 124 of the Ordinance on Patents for Inventions (PatV). If no address for service is indicated within that time limit, the Office will allow an extension of three months to do so. The application will be refused in case of non-observation of that time limit.
    [MT] CH.06 ERNENNUNG EINES VERTRETERS
    PatV Art. 124(3)
    A list of agents is available on the website of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property at: https://www.ige.ch/en/service/patent-attorneys/patent-attorney-register.html
    [MT] CH.07 GEBÜHREN ( ZAHLUNGSMETHODE )
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex CH.I.
    [MT] CH.08 ANSPRACHENGEBÜHR
    PatG Sec. 41,
    PatV Art. 31(a)

    The claims fee is due before the start of substantive examination, on invitation and within a time limit fixed by the Office. The ten first claims made in a patent application are exempted of any fees; a claims fee is due for each supplementary claim. For the amount of the claims fee, refer to Annex CH.I.
    [MT] CH.09 JÄHRLICHE GEBUHREN
    PatG Sec. 41,
    PatV Art. 18

    They are payable for the fourth and each subsequent year following the international filing date. The payment of the first annual fees is due on the last day of the month in which falls the fourth anniversary (48 months) of the international filing date. Thereafter, payment must be made within six months from the last day of the month in which falls the anniversary of the international filing date; a supplement for late payment must be paid if the fee is paid during the last three months. For the amounts, refer to Annex CH.I.
    [MT] CH.10 Prüfungsgebühr
    PatG Sec. 41,
    PatV Art. 61a

    This fee must be paid for each international application. It is due before the start of the examination as to substance, on invitation and within the time limit fixed by the Office. Where a request to postpone the examination as to substance has been made before the invitation or is made within the time limit for payment, that time limit is extended until the expiration of the postponement.
    [MT] CH.11 ÄNDERUNG DER ANMELDUNG
    PCT Artikel 28,
    PatG Sec. 58(2),
    PatG Sec. 59a(1)

    The applicant may amend the description, claims and drawings of the international application.
    CH.12
    PatG Sec. 58(2)
    The subject matter of the amended application shall not exceed the scope of the application as originally filed.
    [MT] CH.13 ÜBERPRÜFUNG NACH ARTIKEL 25 PCT
    PCT Artikel 25,
    PCT Regel 51

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase. If, upon review under PCT Article 25, the Office denies an error or omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an administrative appeal against this decision may be lodged with the Appeal Commission for Intellectual Property within 30 days from the date of receipt of the decision.
    [MT] CH.14 Entschuldigung für Verzögerungen bei der Einhaltung der Sitzungsfristen
    PCT Artikel 24(2),
    48(2)

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase.
    CH.15
    Continuation of the procedure may be requested where the applicant has failed to comply with a time limit prescribed by law or fixed by the Office. The request for continuation of the procedure must be presented within two months from the time when the applicant became aware of the failure to meet the time limit, but not later than six months from the expiration of the time limit which has not been observed. Additionally, the omitted act must be completed and the fee for continuation of the procedure must be paid within the same time limit. Continuation of the procedure is excluded in some cases provided for under PatG Section 46a and PatV Article 14, in particular for time limits for payment of the transmittal fee, the search fee and the international fee as well as for the time limit for election of States. Contrary to a request for reinstatement (refer to paragraph CH.16), the applicant is not required to prove that he was prevented, through no fault of his own, from complying with the time limit.
    CH.16
    PatG Sec. 47,
    PatV Art. 15

    Reinstatement may be requested where the applicant, through no fault of his own, has failed to comply with a time limit during the international phase or before the Office. Reinstatement is excluded, however, where the missed time limit is the time limit for requesting reinstatement. The request for reinstatement must be presented within two months after removal of the cause of non-compliance with the time limit but not later than one year from the expiration of the time limit which has not been observed. Within these two months, the omitted act must be completed, the reinstatement fee (refer to Annex CH.I) must be paid and a statement of the facts on which the request is based must be furnished.

    [MT] Anhänge

    [MT] Anhang CH.I - Gebühren
    [MT] Anmeldegebühr
    200 CHF
    [MT] Schadensgebühr für jeden Schaden über 10
    50 CHF
    [MT] Prüfungsgebühr für
    500 CHF
    [MT] Gebühr für beschleunigtes Prüfungsverfahren
    200 CHF
    [MT] Jahresgebühren :
    [MT] — für das 4. Jahr
    100 CHF
    [MT] — für das 5. Jahr
    120 CHF
    [MT] — für das 6. Jahr
    140 CHF
    [MT] — für das 7. Jahr
    160 CHF
    [MT] — für das 8. Jahr
    180 CHF
    [MT] — für das 9. Jahr
    220 CHF
    [MT] — für das 10. Jahr
    260 CHF
    [MT] — für das 11. Jahr
    300 CHF
    [MT] — für das 12. Jahr
    340 CHF
    [MT] — für das 13. Jahr
    400 CHF
    [MT] — für das 14. Jahr
    460 CHF
    [MT] — für das 15. Jahr
    520 CHF
    [MT] — für das 16. Jahr
    600 CHF
    [MT] — für das 17. Jahr
    680 CHF
    [MT] — für das 18. Jahr
    760 CHF
    [MT] — für das 19. Jahr
    860 CHF
    [MT] — für das 20. Jahr
    960 CHF
    [MT] Zuschlag für verspätete Zahlung eines Jahresbeitrags
    50 CHF
    [MT] Gebühr für die Fortsetzung des Verfahrens
    100 CHF
    [MT] Wiedereinstellungsgebühr
    500 CHF
    [MT] Gebühr für die Wiederherstellung des Prioritätsrechts
    500 CHF
    [MT] Wie kann die Zahlung der Gebühren erfolgen?
    The payment of fees must be effected in Swiss francs. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national application number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paid
    According to the regulations on fees of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, payment may be effected:
    (a) by debiting a current account opened with the Institute
    (b) by payment or transfer to the postal check account of the Institute (No. 30-4000-1, code SWIFT POFICHBE, IBAN CH6809000000300040001)
    (c) by cash payment
    [MT] Formen
    The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
    Annex CH.II - Declaration of inventorship
    Annex CH.III - Power of attorney
    Current version applicable from 4. April 2024 , printed on 7. Februar 2026
    2.2 #61 - 2026-02-02T22:21:05.311+01:00