Trademarks, patents, designs and copyright
Trademarks, patents and designs can be registered. Copyright automatically protects artistic works.
The protection of trademarks, protection by patents and the protection of designs must be requested from the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. Copyright automatically protects works starting at the time of their creation.
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Copyright: How does copyright work?
Copyright is not just for artists – it is also useful for companies, which, for example, can protect software.
Designs: Terms and conditions for protecting a design
"Design" describes the shape of a product, whether it is two- or three-dimensional. To be able to protect it, the design must be new and original.
Patents: The protection afforded by a patent
A patent protects technical inventions – provided they are new and have not yet been made public.
Trademarks: What a trademark is and how it can be protected
The trademark helps a company’s products or services stand out from other companies’ products and services. It therefore needs to be distinctive and not misleading.