Table Of Contents:
The Author 3(16)

List of Abbreviations 19(2)
General Introduction 21(1)

General Background 21(2)

Geography and History 21(1)

Political System 21(1)

Populations Statistics 22(1)

Historical Background 23(6)

Before the 1798 Revolution 23(1)

After the 1798 Revolution 23(2)

Selected Bibliography 25(4)

Copyright and Neighbouring Rights 29(42)

Sources of Legislation 29(1)

The Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights of 9 October 1992 29(1)

Ordinance on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights of 26 April 1993 29(1)

Ordinance on Taxes of 19 October 1977 29(1)

Case Law 29(1)

Subject Matter of Protection 30(10)

Different Categories of Protected Works 30(1)

According to Statute 30(1)

According to the Courts 31(1)

Federal Tribunal 32(1)

Cantonal Tribunals 32(1)

Works Excluded from Protection 33(1)

Laws, Ordinances, International Treaties and Other Official Acts 33(1)

Means of Payment 33(1)

Decisions, Minutes and Reports of Public Authorities 34(1)

Letters Patent for Inventions and Published Patent Applications 34(1)

Translations (of the Aforementioned Works) as are Required by Law 35(1)

Special Categories of Works 35(1)

Computer Software 35(1)

Article 12 (2) Copyright Act 35(1)

Article 13 (4) Copyright Act 36(1)

Article 17 Copyright Act 36(1)

Article 19 (4) Copyright Act 36(1)

Article 21 Law and Article 17 (2) Ordinance 36(1)

Databases 37(1)

Others 38(1)

Titles 38(1)

Characters 38(1)

Works of Applied Art 38(1)

Letters, Diaries 39(1)

Photographs 40(1)

Audiovisual Works 40(1)

Conditions of Protection 40(3)

Formal Requirements 40(1)

Substantive Requirements 41(2)

Ownership 43(3)

The Author 43(1)

The Creator Principle 43(1)

The Work made by a Machine, a Computer, an Animal 43(1)

Joint Works 44(1)

Works Made for Hire 45(1)

Theory of the Finality 45(1)

Software 46(1)

Transfer 46(5)

Assignment of Copyright 46(1)

Licences 47(1)

Definition 48(1)

Obligations of the Licensor 48(2)

Obligations of the Licensee 50(1)

Scope of Exclusive Rights 51(8)

Moral Rights 51(1)

Right of Paternity 52(1)

Right of Integrity 52(1)

The Right to Authorize First Publication 53(1)

Exploitation Rights 53(1)

Reproduction Right 53(1)

Performing Right 54(1)

Adaptation Right 54(1)

Translation Right 54(1)

Other Rights 55(1)

Distribution Right 55(1)

Broadcasting 55(1)

Retransmission Right 56(1)

Remuneration Rights 57(1)

Other Rights of the Author 57(1)

Right of Access 58(1)

Right of Display 58(1)

Protection against Destruction 58(1)

Limitations or Exemptions to the Copyright Protection 59(4)

Parody 59(1)

Reprography 60(1)

Compulsory Licences for Phonograms 61(1)

Archival Copies 62(1)

Right of Quotation 62(1)

Catalogues of Museums, Exhibitions and Auctions 62(1)

Panorama 62(1)

News Reports 63(1)

Duration of Protection 63(1)

General Rule 63(1)

Special Rules 63(1)

Moral Right 64(1)

Neighbouring Rights 64(4)

The Swiss Copyright Law and International Conventions 64(1)

National Copyright Law 64(1)

International Conventions 64(1)

Rights of Performers 64(1)

Performer 64(1)

Rights on Collective Performance 65(1)

Primary Use 65(1)

Secondary Use 66(1)

Collecting Rights Societies 66(1)

Rights of Phonogram Producers 66(1)

Rights of Broadcasting Organizations 67(1)

Infringement and Remedies 68(2)

Administrative Authorities 68(1)

Courts of Law 68(1)

Civil Actions 68(1)

Criminal Actions 69(1)

Overlapping and Relation to Other Intellectual Property Laws 70(1)

Patents 71(37)

Sources of Legislation 71(1)

Legislation and Treaties 71(1)

Historical Background 71(1)

Patentable Subject Matter 72(2)

Invention as a Rule 72(1)

Invention as a Technical Rule 72(1)

Industrial Application 73(1)

Conditions of Patentability: Novelty and Non-obviousness 74(7)

Novelty 74(1)

Legal Definition 74(1)

Disclosure through Patents 75(1)

Other Disclosure 75(1)

Non-obviousness 76(1)

Terminology 76(1)

Non-obviousness as Creativeness 76(1)

The Person Skilled in the Art 77(1)

The Methodology of the Person Skilled in the Art 78(1)

The State of the Art 78(1)

Ancillary Criteria 78(1)

Overwhelming Technical Prejudices against the Feasability 79(1)

Uncovered Need 79(1)

Prior Patents 80(1)

Foreign Patents 80(1)

Technical Progress 81(1)

Formalities 81(3)

Procedure for Granting of a Patent 81(1)

Patent Applications 82(1)

Examination by the Institute of Intellectual Property 82(1)

Grant of the Patent 83(1)

Ownership and Transfer 84(15)

Title to the Patent 84(1)

Before the Patent Application 84(1)

During the Procedure 85(1)

Notion of Inventors and Co-inventors 85(1)

Employees' Inventions 86(2)

Inventions in the Public Sector 88(1)

Assignment 88(1)

Personal Interests 88(1)

Assignment through Contract 89(2)

Licensing Agreements 91(1)

Definition 91(1)

Economical Importance 91(1)

Legal Basis 91(1)

General Characteristics of the Licensing Agreement 92(1)

Obligations of the Licensor 93(1)

Duty to Refrain from Filing an Action for Infringement 93(1)

Duty to Disclose Technological Information 94(1)

Duty to Obtain or to Maintain Patent Rights 94(1)

Warranties and Guarantees 94(1)

Exchange of Information, Licensing of Improvements 95(1)

Exclusivity, Sole Licence, Non-Exclusive Licence 96(1)

Other Restrictions of Competition 96(1)

Obligations of the Licensee 97(1)

Royalties 97(1)

Obligation to Work the Invention 98(1)

Common or Reciprocal Obligations 98(1)

Scope of Exclusive Rights 99(2)

Interim Protection 99(1)

Before the Application 99(1)

Upon the Application 99(1)

Definitive Rights 99(1)

Exclusive Right to Use the Patented Invention 99(1)

Prohibited Acts 100(1)

Limitations and Exceptions Compulsory Licences 101(4)

Defence of Personal Working 101(1)

Professional Use 101(1)

Specific Preparations 101(1)

Good Faith 102(1)

Legal Nature of the Defence 102(1)

Defence of Automobiles Temporarily in Switzerland 102(1)

Dependent Inventions 103(1)

Compulsory Licence for Want of Working 103(1)

Forfeiture of the Patent 104(1)

Licences in the Public Interest 105(1)

Purchase by State Compulsion 105(1)

Duration of the Protection 105(1)

Ordinary Duration 105(1)

Premature Termination 105(1)

Non Payment of Annuities 105(1)

Partial Relinquishment 106(1)

Annulment of Patents 106(1)

Infringement and Remedies 106(2)

Infringement 106(1)

Civil Actions 107(1)

Criminal Actions 107(1)

Utility Models 108(1)

Trademarks 109(47)

Sources 109(2)

The Law 109(1)

The Ordinance 109(1)

The Treaties 109(1)

Multilateral Treaties 109(1)

Bilateral Treaties 110(1)

Predominance of International Treaties 110(1)

Subject Matter of Protection 111(9)

Signs which may Serve as Trademarks 111(1)

Principles 111(1)

Exceptions 111(1)

Public Domain 112(1)

The Descriptive Signs 112(1)

The Common Place Marks 113(1)

The Letters and Numbers 114(1)

Tri-dimensional Technical Shapes 114(1)

Misleading and Deceptive Marks 114(1)

Signs against Public Policy, bonos mores or the Law 115(1)

Signs against Public Policy 115(1)

Marks against the bonos mores 116(1)

Signs that are Illegal 116(1)

Different Categories of Trademarks 116(1)

Trademarks for Industry and for Commerce 116(1)

Service Trademarks 116(1)

Well known Trademarks and Famous Trademarks 117(1)

Well known Trademarks 117(1)

Famous Trademarks 117(1)

Trademarks and Trade Names 118(1)

Certification and Collective Trademarks 118(1)

Certification Trademark 118(1)

Collective Trademarks 119(1)

The Protection of Public Coats of Arms and other Emblems 119(1)

Conditions of Protection 120(1)

Formalities 121(5)

Registration 121(1)

Application 121(1)

Examination 122(1)

Opposition 122(1)

Formal Requirements 122(1)

Substantive Requirements 122(1)

Danger of Confusion 123(1)

Similar Trademarks with Risk of Confusion 124(1)

No Risk of Confusion although there is some similarity 124(1)

Similar Products 125(1)

Products that are not similar 125(1)

International Registration 125(1)

Ownership and Transfer 126(3)

Ownership 126(1)

Transfer 127(1)

Assignment 127(1)

Licence 128(1)

Scope of Exclusive Rights 129(2)

General Definition 129(1)

Particular Rights 130(1)

Prohibition of Use by Third Parties 130(1)

Prohibition of Use by Licensee and Authorized Dealers 131(1)

Limitation on the Exclusive Rights 131(1)

The First-sale Doctrine 131(1)

International, European or National Exhaustion 131(1)

Prior Use of the Trademark by Third Parties 132(1)

Use Requirements 132(2)

Notion of Use 132(1)

Effects of Non-use 133(1)

Litigation 133(1)

In the Absence of Litigation 134(1)

Duration of Protection - Termination 134(1)

Duration of Protection 134(1)

Original Registration 134(1)

Prolongation of Registration 134(1)

Termination 135(1)

Infringement and Remedies 135(6)

General Presentation 135(1)

Three Remedies 135(1)

Main Features of the New Legislation 135(1)

Civil Actions 136(1)

Action for Declaratory Statement of Invalidity 136(1)

Action for Transfer 136(1)

Injunctions 137(1)

Actions for Monetary Relief 137(1)

Seizure of Infringing Goods and Wares 138(1)

Venue 138(1)

Interim Measures 139(1)

Publication of the Judgment 139(1)

Time Limitations 139(1)

Criminal Remedies 140(1)

Intention Required 140(1)

Complaint Required 140(1)

Felonies and Misdemeanours 140(1)

Administrative Procedures 141(1)

Geographic Denominations 141(10)

Overview 141(1)

Federal Legislation 141(1)

The Trademark Law 141(1)

The Federal Statute on Wine-growing of 19 June 1992 142(1)

The Federal Law on the Agriculture of 3 October 1951 142(1)

Ordinance of 23 December 1971 on the Use of the Indication `Swiss made' on watches 143(1)

International Treaties 144(1)

Multilateral Conventions 144(1)

Bilateral Treaties 145(1)

General Protection of Geographic Denomination 146(1)

Penal Law 146(1)

Civil Law 146(3)

Relation to the Registration of Trademarks 149(1)

Registration of a Trademark Containing Geographic Elements 149(2)

Geographic Denominations as Collective Trademarks 151(1)

Domain Names 151(5)

Definition 151(1)

Source 152(1)

Protection of Domain Names 153(1)

Protection of Trademarks and Trade Names Against Domain Names 154(2)

Trade Names 156(9)

Source of Legislation 156(1)

The Code of Obligations 156(1)

Articles 44-48 of the Ordinance on the Register of Commerce 156(1)

The Law Against Unfair Competition 156(1)

The Selection of Trade Names 156(3)

Area of Application 156(1)

Truthfulness 157(1)

Public Interests 158(1)

Interest of Third Parties 159(1)

The Protection of Trade Names 159(6)

Protection of Registered Business Names 159(1)

Specific Protection 159(1)

Exclusive Use 160(1)

Distinctive Elements 160(1)

Prevention of the Risk of Confusion 161(1)

Remedies 162(1)

Protection of Unregistered Names and Foreign Names 163(1)

Names of Entities that are not Registered 163(1)

Foreign Names 163(2)

Industrial Designs 165(9)

Sources of Legislation 165(1)

Subject Matter 165(3)

Designs and Models 165(1)

Designs 165(1)

Models 166(1)

Relationship with Copyright Law 166(1)

Novelty Requirement 167(1)

Conditions of Protection 168(1)

Formalities 168(1)

Procedure of Registration 168(1)

Open or Sealed Deposit 168(1)

Ownership and Transfer 169(1)

Ownership 169(1)

Licences and Assignment 169(1)

Scope of Exclusive Rights 170(1)

Right to Use 170(1)

Right to Sell 171(1)

Right to Receive Information 171(1)

Limitations of the Scope of Protection 171(1)

Duration of Protection 172(1)

Infringement and Remedies 172(2)

Plant Variety Protection 174(6)

Sources of Legislation 174(1)

Swiss Law and Ordinances 174(1)

The Federal Law of 20 March 1975 174(1)

The Ordinance of 11 May 1977 174(1)

International Conventions 174(1)

Subject Matter 174(1)

Conditions of Protection 175(1)

Novelty 175(1)

Denomination 175(1)

Formalities 175(2)

Registration 175(1)

Application 176(1)

Filing of the Application 176(1)

Publication of the Application 176(1)

Opposition Procedure 176(1)

Examination 176(1)

Grant 176(1)

Ownership and Transfer 177(1)

Initial Ownership 177(1)

Transfer 177(1)

Scope of Exclusive Rights 178(1)

Limitations of the Scope of Protection 178(1)

Duration of Protection 178(1)

Infringement and Remedies 178(2)

Chip Protection 180(6)

Sources of Legislation 180(1)

Federal Legislation 180(1)

The Law of 1992 180(1)

The Ordinance of 1993 180(1)

International Treaty 181(1)

Subject Matter of Protection 181(1)

Three-dimensional Structures of Semi-conductor Chips 181(1)

Originality 181(1)

Condition of Protection 182(1)

Formalities 182(1)

Register 182(1)

Protection 182(1)

Ownership and Transfer 182(1)

Initial Ownership 182(1)

Transfer 183(1)

Scope of Exclusive Rights 183(1)

Limitations of the Scope of Protection 183(1)

Durations of Protection 184(1)

Infringement and Remedies 184(2)

Civil Remedies 184(1)

Criminal Remedies 185(1)

Trade Secrets and Confidential Information 186(9)

Sources of Legislation 186(2)

Penal Law 186(1)

Article 162 Penal Code 186(1)

Article 161 Penal Code 186(1)

Article 273 Penal Code 186(1)

Article 47 Law on Banking Institutions 186(1)

Articles 4 (c) and 23 Unfair Competition Law 187(1)

Articles 6 and 23 Unfair Competition Law 187(1)

Civil Law 187(1)

Articles 4 (c) and 6 Unfair Competition Act 187(1)

Article 2 Unfair Competition Law 188(1)

Article 38 of the Federal Civil Procedure Law 188(1)

Protection 188(7)

Definition of Trade Secrets 188(1)

Objective Secrecy 189(1)

Reasonable Steps 189(1)

Economic Value 190(1)

Protection 190(1)

Unfair Methods of Acquisition 190(1)

Use by a Third Party 191(1)

General Rule 191(1)

Exceptions 191(1)

Contractual Obligations 191(1)

Wrongful Disclosure by an Employee 192(3)
Index 195