Everything you need to know about patent, trademark, and design protection—explained in simple terms by your patent and trademark attorneys in Zurich & Winterthur.
Patent attorneys assist companies and inventors in protecting technical inventions. They combine technical or scientific expertise with specialized knowledge of patent law and, in particular, draft and handle patent applications. Attorneys, on the other hand, have a general legal education and typically do not draft patent applications; instead, they are primarily responsible for general legal advice, trademarks and designs, and litigation.
You should consult a patent attorney as early as possible, before an invention is published. During an initial consultation, a patent attorney can explain the options available to you for protecting your invention. Seeking advice early on helps you plan the scope of protection, country strategy, deadlines, and costs in a targeted manner. This helps avoid mistakes that may be difficult or impossible to correct later on.
An initial consultation typically lasts about an hour and is offered free of charge. We’ll discuss your invention or your protection needs, outline potential intellectual property rights and courses of action, and explain the expected costs and timelines. The goal is to provide an initial assessment and a sound strategy for moving forward.
SBMP has particular expertise in AI applications, medical technology, molecular biology, polymer chemistry, antibodies, biotechnology, and nano- and quantum technology.
Other key areas include computer-implemented technologies, chemistry and pharmaceuticals, materials science, mechanics, mechanical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, sensor technology, and genetic engineering. In addition, we provide comprehensive advice on trademark and design protection.
Our team can assist you in German, English, French, Italian, and Korean.
Consultations can take place at our locations in Zurich (Seefeld) or Winterthur (Technopark), as well as online.
SBMP combines technical and scientific expertise with specialized knowledge in patent, trademark, and design law. Our team covers a broad spectrum of fields, ranging from chemistry, medicine, and biotechnology to mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and AI. We also bring over 50 years of experience, personalized support, and an international network dedicated to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights worldwide.
In Switzerland and Europe, technical inventions are patentable if they are new, involve an inventive step, are industrially applicable, and are sufficiently disclosed.
Among other things, the following are not patentable: mere ideas and discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods, medical treatment and diagnostic procedures, plant varieties, animal breeds, and inventions whose exploitation would violate public order or morality.
It usually takes several years for a patent to be granted. As a general rule, you should expect the process to take 3–6 years, depending on the complexity of the grant procedure. There are ways to expedite the patent grant process if this is strategically sound and desirable. In such cases, a patent can be granted in less than 3 years.
The cost of a patent varies widely and depends on the complexity of the invention, the duration of the grant process, the term of protection, and the scope of protection. Once a patent is granted, annual fees must be paid to maintain it.
The cost of a Swiss patent is typically between CHF 20,000 and 35,000 (for 20 years of protection).
For a European patent (unitary patent, plus the UK and Switzerland), costs of between CHF 50,000 and 90,000 should be expected (for 20 years of protection).
That depends on the markets, the budget, and the company’s strategy. There is no right or wrong way to proceed, but we generally advise clients to file an initial European application. In our view, this offers the best cost-benefit ratio. Whether a priority-based PCT application or additional national patent applications are subsequently filed depends on the inventor’s patent strategy.
The unitary patent allows applicants, regardless of their country of origin, to cover a large number of European countries (currently 18 countries—as of October 2026) with a single annual fee. Switzerland and the United Kingdom are not included. One advantage is that infringement claims can be filed centrally with the UPC, which at least speeds up patent enforcement. A disadvantage is that a unitary patent can be challenged centrally before the UPC.
As a general rule, an invention should not be made publicly available before filing a patent application. Self-disclosure can, particularly in Europe and Switzerland, negate the required novelty. Some countries, such as the United States, have grace periods for novelty under certain conditions. However, one should not rely on these when developing an international strategy. If a publication has already taken place, the remaining protection options should be examined promptly.
Yes. However, patenting AI-based inventions requires a specialized patent attorney, as the requirements for AI-based inventions are constantly changing. Our team includes two specialized patent attorneys who can assist you with this.
A Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analysis examines whether a planned product or process might infringe on existing intellectual property rights held by third parties. It is particularly useful before entering the market, making major investments, or launching a product. This makes it possible to identify relevant intellectual property rights at an early stage, adapt the product or service if necessary, or pursue licensing negotiations.
A patent generally provides 20 years of protection. The costs increase over the course of the protection period and depend heavily on the number of countries.
We strongly recommend consulting a patent attorney as soon as possible so that the next steps can be carefully planned. First, the deadlines, the patent in question, its scope of protection, and the product or process in question are analyzed. Subsequently, an appropriate strategy can be established for communication, defense, negotiation, or, if necessary, legal enforcement.
Yes. Filing a patent application can be crucial, especially for individual inventors, because it establishes a clearly defined and transferable right to the invention. This makes it much easier to license or sell the invention. While non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are helpful, they are often difficult to implement in practice: A potential buyer typically wants to familiarize themselves with the invention first before waiving rights to it in an NDA. A patent application provides a clear foundation for discussions and subsequent commercialization.
A trademark is protected in Switzerland through registration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE). The official filing fee is CHF 450, or CHF 350 for electronic applications, and covers up to three classes of goods and services. Taking into account our consulting and representation services, the total cost for a standard Swiss trademark application is typically around CHF 1,000–1,500.
You can first check whether a trademark already exists in the Swiss Intellectual Property Register at www.swissreg.ch as well as in international trademark databases. However, the decisive factor is not only whether an identical trademark exists, but also whether there are earlier similar marks for the same or similar goods and services.
Through the Madrid System, a Swiss trademark can be extended to numerous countries and regions with a single application. The basis for this is a Swiss base trademark or application; the application is forwarded via the IPI to WIPO, and the designated countries then examine the protection in accordance with their own laws.
A trademark is protected for a period of ten years and may be renewed for additional ten-year terms as often as desired. In addition, the trademark must generally be put to actual use in order for the rights to be enforced over the long term.
Design protection safeguards the external appearance of a product. This distinguishes it from patent protection, which safeguards technical functions. A design can protect, for example, a product’s shape, lines, contours, colors, surfaces, or material composition, provided the design is new and has a distinctive character. It is particularly useful when the visual design has significant market value or recognition value, such as in the case of consumer goods, packaging, or product components. In Switzerland, a design can be protected for a maximum of 25 years.
Companies not headquartered in Switzerland or Liechtenstein generally need a place of service in Switzerland for proceedings before the IPI; different requirements apply depending on the type of intellectual property right. For trademarks, a representative must generally be appointed. For patent applications, a Swiss address for service may also suffice. In practice, having a local representative greatly facilitates communication and helps ensure that deadlines are met.
Our team can represent our clients before the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE) in Bern, the European Patent Office (EPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. Members of our team can also represent clients in relevant proceedings before the Unified Patent Court (UPC). In Swiss patent disputes, we represent clients ourselves or in collaboration with specialized attorneys, depending on the type of proceeding.
The initial consultation usually lasts about an hour and is free of charge. Tell us about your situation—we’ll explain your potential intellectual property rights and the best course of action.