For IP professionals
This is the portal for professionals working in the field of intellectual property. Here you'll find direct access to all necessary resources.
Quick links
News
27.05.2024 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy, Conference
New international treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge adopted
...more
Genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore
In Switzerland: disclosure requirement in the Swiss Patents Act
Art. 49a of the Patent Act (PatA) requires patent applicants applying for a patent in Switzerland to provide information on the source of a genetic resource or traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities.
Should the patent application not contain a declaration concerning the source of the genetic resource or traditional knowledge, the IPI will set a deadline for the patent applicant to rectify the omission and it will reject the patent application if the deadline is not met. Deliberate misrepresentation of the source is punishable with a fine. In addition, the court may order the publication of the ruli
Documents & links
- Patent Act (PatA)
- Message (explanations on disclosure of the source) in German
- Patent Examination Guidelines in German
- Submission by Switzerland in the IGC 16 2010 on the disclosure requirement in the Patent Act
- Submission by Switzerland in the IGC 31 2016 on the disclosure requirement in the Patent Act
- Legal opinion on the compatibility of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT) with the obligation to disclose the source (French)
News
27.05.2024 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy, Conference
New international treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge adopted
...more
22.05.2024 | Patents, Media release, Law and policy
Transparency in the area of patent rights in plant breeding
...more
Events
19.01.2023 | Law and policy, Event
Conference on Intellectual Property & Sustainability at the University of Geneva
...more