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.
Renewal fees are payable annually on an ascending scale.
Patents are not renewable beyond the original 20-year term, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, where the Swiss adopted a patent term restoration procedure in 1995. In virtually all other areas, coverage is identical to that in the United States. Trademarks are well protected. Switzerland recognizes well known trademarks and has established simple procedures to register and renew all marks. The initial period of protection is 20 years.