At-a-glance:
Institute of Intellectual Property
Stauffacherstrasse 65/59g, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)31 377 77 77
Fax: +41 (0)31 377 77 78
Email: info@ipi.ch
Website: www.ige.ch
Switzerland is clearing up its highly bureaucratic patent...
[more]
At-a-glance:
Institute of Intellectual Property
Stauffacherstrasse 65/59g, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)31 377 77 77
Fax: +41 (0)31 377 77 78
Email:
info@ipi.ch
Website:
www.ige.ch
Switzerland is clearing up its highly bureaucratic patent system by unifying the 26 canton patent courts. The Federal Patent Court's establishment is at the centre of IP reform in a country that has historically had a slow patent process. "The court will aim to speed up the process and to encourage more international clients to get their patents validated there," says one partner.
The top IP lawyers and agents have been elected as the judges for the new court, and most are enthusiastic about the business it can bring to the country. "The Netherlands has a fast patent court system which attracts international clients to Europe and we want to be similar," says one elected judge.
The court will consist of 33 judges and will decrease the waiting time for new patents, which is now three years. Partner at Meyerlustenberger Michael Ritscher, says: "In terms of litigation it will improve the quality and the time in court. It's going to be much more efficient."
[hide]