Consultation

• Clarification of registrability of the desired mark.
• Trademark form – such as word mark, three-dimensional mark, figurative mark.
• Specification of the goods and services to be protected.
• Determination of the countries for registration.

Search

• We recommend a search for previously published identical or similar marks before filing a trademark application.
  

Registration

• The Swiss application and the international application is filed by us – as the representatives in the name of the client – directly  at the respective office (IGE = Swiss Federal Institute for Intellectual Property; or WIPO = World Intellectual Property Organization) and is processed up until the final registration is achieved and maintained thereafter (by payment of renewal fees).
• An international registration of the mark allows protection to be obtained in those countries which have ratified the Madrid Convention or the Madrid Protocol.
• In those countries where registration is not possible as part of an international registration (e.g. some countries in Latin America), applications are filed through a local attorney (whose appointment is obligatory).

Renewal

• With only a few exceptions, a mark is valid for a period of 10 years and can be continually renewed thereafter.
• We monitor the renewal dates and ask clients whether they want to renew the registration in good time.
• As a rule, we arrange for renewal for a further 10 years.
  

Opposition

• The opposition period begins as soon as the mark is registered. It is 3 to 6 months depending on the country. A third party can lodge opposition to the registration within this period. Settlement is possible either by official proceedings or "out-of court" by an agreement with the opponent.
  

Monitoring

• Once the mark has been registered, a monitoring of competitors' marks can be initiated to seek out colliding new mark applications and mark registrations.