Renewal Procedure and Patent Renewal Fees at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property.
An informational summary of the patent renewal rules in place for Swiss patents.
Renewal Years
Renewal is required right from the filing of an application, every year throughout the lifetime of the patent. The first three years are paid upon the filing of the application. From year four, fees become due annually.
Renewal Dates & Payment Windows
For the first year of annual renewal, the fee must be paid by the end of the month holding the anniversary of the filing date. This is the renewal date.
For later years, it is then permitted for payments to be made up to three months after this date.
For all years, it is possible to pay up to two months in advance.
Late Payments
After the three months leeway have passed (in a year where they are applicable at all), payments can still be made but with the additional payment of a penalty fee. This surcharge is CHF 50 and the period in which it can be paid is during months four to six from the renewal date. After six months is up, if the renewal fee and penalty fee have not been paid, the patent lapses.
European Applications
As usual, if the original application was made through the European Patent Office (EPO), fees are not due to each of the country offices until after grant. During the application stage, fees are paid to the EPO only.
Renewal Fee Schedule
Fees are in CHF.
| For Patent Year | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 | 100 |
| 5 | 120 |
| 6 | 140 |
| 7 | 160 |
| 8 | 180 |
| 9 | 220 |
| 10 | 260 |
| 11 | 300 |
| 12 | 340 |
| 13 | 400 |
| 14 | 460 |
| 15 | 520 |
| 16 | 600 |
| 17 | 680 |
| 18 | 760 |
| 19 | 860 |
| 20 | 960 |