Swiss producers to benefit from better international protection for geographical indications

Bern, 18.08.2021 - Swiss producers will in future be able to register geographical indications in several states simultaneously via a simple procedure. At its meeting on 18 August 2021, the Federal Council approved the entry into force of the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications as well as the implementing ordinances per 1 December 2021.

On 19 March 2021, Parliament approved the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications and the amendment of the Trade Mark Protection Act. The Lisbon System enables Swiss beneficiaries of appellations of origin (e.g. Gruyère) and geographical indications (e.g. Bündnerfleisch or Swiss for watches) to obtain a high level of protection on the territory of the contracting parties for an unlimited period of time.

The implementing ordinances set out, in particular, the conditions for the international registration of Swiss denominations and for the acceptance or refusal of the effectiveness of foreign international registrations in Switzerland. The details of these procedures are outlined in the Trade Mark Protection Ordinance (Art. 52p to 52r TmPO).

The international registration of Swiss denominations and the examination of foreign international registrations via the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) are free of charge. However, if a third party files an opposition with the IPI against the effectiveness of a foreign international registration in Switzerland, a fee of 800 Swiss francs is to be paid. The international fee and any national fees which may be required by other contracting parties are directly levied by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Address for enquiries

Felix Addor, Deputy Director General, Chief Legal Counsellor
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
Direct line: +41 31 377 72 01