Member Article

Based on the decision of the Federal Council to extend court holidays in civil and administrative proceedings, the Swiss Institute of Intellectual Property has announced to suspend most of the deadlines with an end date between 21 March 2020 and 19 April 2020 (statutory deadlines and deadlines set by the Institute, including payment deadlines). In particular, deadlines set by the Institute that would end in that period will end on 20 April 2020.

The same applies to renewal fees and annual fees due between 21 March and 19 April 2020. Deadlines that are stipulated in days are suspended until 19 April 2020 and will run again starting 20 April 2020. The following deadlines do not benefit from this regime: (i) deadlines that are stipulated in months or years (e.g. priority deadlines, opposition deadlines or deadlines for payment of opposition fees); (ii) deadlines that end on a date after 19 April 2020; and (iii) deadlines in international proceedings (PCT, EPC, Madrid system, The Hague system) [see here].