Ultimately, our statute obliges us to provide services at market prices, based on private law. At the same time, we furnish the country's policy makers with services for the public good. The Institute is the body to contact for all issues relating to industrial property rights in Switzerland and also, partly, for international registrations. It examines national applications for patents, issues patents and trademarks and is responsible for their administration. With regard to property rights, the main emphasis is on streamlining the administrative process and reducing throughput time.
Property rights are our core business and, as such, enjoy top priority.
Information products, such as research into technological developments and trademark searches , have been geared more closely to clients' needs and gain in importance from one year to the next. Our information services are charged at clearly stipulated prices, with a choice of standard or express searches of the same high quality. One of the extra services we provide is training courses , which are designed to show the vital importance of intellectual property rights to the country's economy.