Karpeo · Business in Switzerland
Registering a trademark in Switzerland: steps, fees and protection
To register a Swiss trademark, choose the sign, define the goods and services, examine potential conflicts and file an application with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI). The electronic filing discount reduces the basic fee to CHF 350. Prepare the checks before investing heavily in your brand.
By Sarah Prieur · Swiss certified public accountant
A trademark, a business name and a domain are different
A trademark distinguishes goods or services. A legal business name identifies the enterprise. A domain name is an internet address. They may use the same wording, but their procedures and protection differ.
Commercial register entry does not register a trademark. Reserving a domain or finding an available business name does not establish that its use is free from conflicts.
Before launching communications, list what customers should recognise: the company, product, product range or logo. Decide which signs need examination and protection.
Fictional example: a Geneva consultancy trades under one company name while its application uses another. Checking only the company name would leave the sign users see every day unexamined.
Our articles on Swiss legal business names and choosing a company name cover the related decisions.
Check availability and possible confusion before filing
Do this before major expenditure on a logo, website, packaging or signage. IPI’s examination does not automatically clear conflicts with earlier third-party rights.
A preliminary search can reveal obvious obstacles. Consider relevant spelling, pronunciation, dominant wording and related activities. No identical match does not mean the sign is available.
Keep a search record identifying the sign found, owner, covered activities, status and issue to clarify. This helps a trademark adviser assess any similarity.
Changing one letter does not automatically eliminate risk. Where the brand will carry substantial commercial investment, professional searches and legal assessment help examine potential conflicts before launch.
Choose the sign, owner and goods or services
Which sign should you file?
Options include a word, logo or combination. Choose the element you want protected. A logo registration should not automatically be interpreted as separate protection for every word it contains.
Who should own it?
Identify the individual or company that will hold the mark. In a joint project, discuss this before a founder files personally. If the company does not exist, plan ownership after incorporation and document any necessary transfer.
Which activities should be covered?
The Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 classes. IPI states that the list cannot be expanded after registration. Describe the intended activities precisely rather than copying a class heading that merely looks close.
For software, distinguish the software itself, online access, training and consultancy. These questions help prepare classification; they do not replace choosing acceptable filing terms.
Steps in a Swiss trademark application
| Stage | Applicant action | Main check |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Define sign, owner and scope | Fit with the commercial project |
| Search | Examine existing rights | Similar signs and activities |
| Application | Submit the details, for example through e-trademark | Accurate ownership and goods/services list |
| Examination | Follow communications and pay official fees | Respond to any objections or irregularities |
| Registration | Check the published result | Sign, holder and covered activities |
| Ongoing management | Monitor use and deadlines | Opposition, renewal and market monitoring |
IPI publishes the application on Swissreg and conducts formal and substantive examination. If irregularities are found, it requests corrections.
Publication of the registration starts a three-month opposition period during which holders of earlier trademarks can object under the applicable conditions.
Filing is therefore not an instant reservation. Leave time in the launch schedule for correspondence or corrections and retain communications in an accessible project file.
Protecting a Swiss trademark: original video in French
Romain Prieur presents the original French-language video on filing steps, costs and common mistakes. This English article is authored by Sarah Prieur.
Presented by Romain Prieur · French · 10 min 44 sec Watch on YouTube Visit the channel
How much does trademark registration cost in Switzerland?
The following official IPI fees were checked on 10 October 2026. They exclude professional searches and adviser fees.
| Item | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Basic application: initial ten-year protection | CHF 450 |
| Electronic filing discount | − CHF 100 |
| Basic fee after electronic discount | CHF 350 |
| Additional class, from the fourth onwards | CHF 100 per class |
| Expedited examination, additional charge | CHF 400 |
| Renewal for ten years | CHF 550 |
Example: an electronic application covering five classes costs CHF 350 plus two additional-class charges of CHF 100: CHF 550 in filing fees, without expedited examination or professional costs. This does not mean five classes are appropriate for every business.
Budget separately for searches, official fees, professional advice and visual identity work. Ask what an adviser’s quote includes: identical or similarity searches, classes, responses to objections and external charges.
Include these costs in the funding plan for your business launch.
What should you do after registration?
Record the protection expiry date and monitor new signs that might conflict. Registration does not watch the market for you.
Use the mark for the registered goods and services and keep relevant evidence, such as invoices, dated marketing material, packaging or records showing actual use. An uninterrupted five-year period of non-use can put rights at risk, subject in particular to valid reasons for non-use and the relevant circumstances.
Swiss protection is not worldwide protection. If you plan overseas sales, define priority territories and examine the corresponding applications with a specialist.
Update the register after changes to the holder’s name or address or a transfer. Treat the mark as a managed business asset with a clearly identified responsible person.
A checklist before submitting your application
Before paying and launching communications, make sure you can answer:
- Which sign should customers recognise?
- Who should own it?
- Have earlier rights and relevant variants been examined?
- Do the goods and services match the intended business?
- Is there a budget for searches and possible correspondence?
- Does the launch timetable leave room for corrections?
- Who will monitor communications, use and renewal dates?
Resolve uncertainty before multiplying branded material. A later identity change can mean replacing signage, domains and sales documents, as well as explaining the change to customers.
Coordinate brand ownership with the business structure. Trademark filing and incorporation are connected decisions, but each requires its own checks.
Frequently asked questions about Swiss trademarks
Does one trademark application automatically protect both my name and logo?
Protection depends on the sign filed and designated goods or services. A word mark, a logo and a combined word-and-image mark are different filings. Identify what should remain recognisable if your visual identity changes and seek advice on the appropriate strategy.
Can I apply before forming my company?
An individual can apply. However, decide who should ultimately own the mark, particularly with co-founders or a future company. Personal filing does not settle founder relationships or a later transfer; document ownership arrangements.
How long does Swiss trademark registration take?
Timing depends on the application and any irregularities. IPI offers different examination routes, including early examination for suitable applications and paid expedited examination. Check current processing times and distinguish examination from the opposition period after registration is published.
Does the CHF 350 electronic filing fee include a clearance search?
No. It is the basic official fee after the electronic discount, before additional classes or procedural charges. Professional searches and an assessment of conflicts with earlier rights are separate costs.
Can Karpeo help organise my business launch?
Karpeo can assist with business structure, budgeting and company formation. Similarity searches, protection strategy and trademark disputes should be addressed with a trademark adviser or specialist lawyer.
Sources and references
IPI sources checked on 10 October 2026. The company example is fictional. The retained video is the original French presentation.
About the author
Sarah Prieur
Sarah Prieur is a Swiss certified public accountant, a partner and head of operations at Karpeo. She supports businesses, self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs with accounting, tax and VAT matters. Before joining Karpeo, she spent eight years in financial audit at PwC Switzerland, progressing to manager.
Read more about Sarah Prieur →