Introduction
Registering a trademark in Switzerland is a key step in protecting your company’s name, logo, and reputation. However, many business owners forget that trademark protection is not permanent — it must be renewed every 10 years with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI).
If your renewal deadline is missed, your brand could lose its legal protection. Below, we explain the consequences, the grace period, and how you can keep your intellectual property secure.
Trademark Validity and Renewal in Switzerland
A Swiss trademark is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for additional 10-year periods. To maintain your rights, you must file a renewal request and pay the corresponding renewal fee to the IPI (Institut Fédéral de la Propriété Intellectuelle) before your registration expires.
Official guidance can be found at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI).
What Happens If You Miss the Renewal Deadline
When a Swiss trademark expires, it immediately loses its legal protection. This can have significant consequences for your company:
- You lose exclusive rights to your brand name or logo.
- Competitors could register or use similar trademarks.
- You cannot enforce your rights against misuse or imitation.
- Your brand reputation may be diluted or damaged.
Without renewal, your brand identity becomes vulnerable — something every business should avoid.
The Six-Month Grace Period
After the official expiry date, Swiss law offers a six-month grace period. You may still renew your trademark within this time by paying an additional late renewal fee.
If this period passes without renewal, your trademark is permanently removed from the register. To protect it again, you would need to file a new application, and there’s no guarantee it will be approved if another company has registered a similar mark in the meantime.
Why a Missed Renewal Can Harm Your Business
Allowing a trademark to lapse can have serious financial and strategic consequences:
- Loss of brand equity and recognition.
- Customer confusion if similar marks appear.
- Expensive rebranding and marketing updates.
- Reduced company value and trust in your brand.
A simple administrative oversight can lead to long-term damage — both legally and commercially.
How to Avoid Missing Trademark Deadlines
Preventing trademark expiration is easy with the right systems in place:
- Maintain an organized record of all trademark renewal dates.
- Set reminders or notifications well in advance.
- Use a Swiss domicile address provider like DomizilAdresse to ensure all official correspondence from the IPI is received promptly.
- Work with professionals who monitor deadlines and manage renewals on your behalf.
Keep Your Business Protected with DomizilAdresse
At DomizilAdresse, we help Swiss and international businesses maintain full legal compliance. From company domiciliation and administrative address services to trademark management, we ensure your company remains protected and properly represented in Switzerland.
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Protect Your Brand and Corporate Identity
If your trademark renewal deadline is approaching — or has already passed — our experts can assist you in securing your rights and avoiding unnecessary risks.
👉 Contact DomizilAdresse to safeguard your intellectual property and keep your Swiss business compliant.
📌 Contact DomizilAdresse
🏢 Chamerstrasse 176, 6300 Zug
📞 +41 44 688 04 14