The Council of States in Switzerland has resolved the differences in a bill to modernise the Swiss Patent Act, in doing so updating the existing patent examination procedure. Subject to a final vote, soon the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) will be compelled to examine novelty and inventive step. The bill will also overhaul the appeal process.
The Council of States in Switzerland comprises the upper house of the Federal Assembly, and the lower house of the National Council. Earlier this week, the legislative body waved through radical changes to how the IPI, based in Bern, will examine novelty and inventive step when granting patents in the future.
Observers expect the Swiss Parliament to approve the measures during the course of 2024, with a new Swiss Patent Act giving parties the option of a ‘full granting’, rather than ‘partial granting’, of their patents. The Swiss government, as supported by various bodies such as the Association of the Swiss Patent and Trademark Attorneys (VSP – ASCPI – ASPTA), proposed the changes to ascertain a more thorough and transparent examination and appeal procedure. Read more