On rare occasions, exports of domestic products such as beef, experiencing temporary surpluses, are also subsidized. The United States and other WTO members raised in the WTO the issue of Swiss beef export subsidies, which violated WTO rules. The implementation of the Uruguay Round agreement requires a gradual reduction of export subsidies and prohibits the introduction of subsidies for new products, such as beef. Protection of U.S. Intellectual Property Switzerland has one of the best regimes in the world for the protection of intellectual property, and protection is afforded equally to foreign and domestic rights holders. Switzerland is a member of all major international intellectual property rights conventions and was an active supporter of a strong IPR text on the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations.
Enforcement is generally very good.
New directives by the Swiss Intercantonal Office for the Control of Medicines will mandate a ten-year protection period for such data. The lack of protection in this area has caused a problem recently for one U.S. company. However, if the new protection period is implemented on schedule, it is very unlikely that any further problems would arise for U.S. firms. Patent protection is very broad, and Swiss law provides rights to inventors that are comparable to those available in the United States. The duration of a patent is 20 years.