The new regulation enacted by the Swiss Intercantonal Office for the Control of Medicines mandates a 10-year protection period for such data. Prior to this regulation taking effect, the lack of protection in this area negatively impacted one U.S. company. However, it is now very unlikely that any further problems will 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. However, microbiological processes and products obtained by such processes are patentable. 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.