Patent Filings in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein and Switzerland form one protection territory for invention patents under their 1978 patent treaty, in force since 1 April 1980 (Art. 1). A patent has the same effect in both states and can be granted, transferred, declared void or lapse only for the territory as a whole (Art. 4(1)). So a Liechtenstein patent is always a Swiss one too.

Yes. The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property states that a Swiss patent filed with it is valid in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Under the treaty, the patent has the same effect in both states, whichever route led to it. The patent ends 20 years after the filing date at the latest.

A European patent can be obtained for the two states only by joint designation under the European Patent Convention (treaty Art. 2). Designating one therefore means designating both. Whether a unitary patent covers Liechtenstein is not stated on this page; the licensed patent attorney answers that question for your file.

No. The licensed Liechtenstein patent attorney assesses patentability, drafts the application and files it; advice and representation in patent matters are the attorney's under PAG Art. 8(1). VCS collects your documents, forwards them and coordinates the file. The attorney is named in your engagement letter.

Before the Swiss office, persons domiciled or seated in Liechtenstein can be appointed representatives only if Liechtenstein law entitles them to professional patent representation (treaty Art. 8). EEA nationals lawfully established and entitled to practise as patent attorneys in the EEA may serve temporarily and occasionally after written notice to the FMA (PAG Art. 40–41). Other cases: no rule stated.

No. A patent attorney holds an FMA licence under the Patent Attorneys Act, which covers advice and representation in intellectual property matters. Professional party representation in court belongs to lawyers under the Lawyers Act, Art. 8(1)(b). Art. 8(3) of that act leaves the statutory powers of patent attorneys untouched.

The FMA keeps a public register of every person subject to the Patent Attorneys Act and updates it regularly (PAG Art. 48c). Look up the name in your engagement letter there before you sign. A licensed attorney keeps an office in Liechtenstein and carries professional indemnity cover of at least two million francs (Art. 10, 17(3)).

There is none for patents. Under treaty Art. 7(1), the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property in Bern carries out the administrative tasks for the whole territory. The European Patent Office handles European applications, and the Office of Economic Affairs is the national contact for intellectual property law and handles trademarks.

Three routes lead to two types of patent: the national Swiss route, with extension abroad within 12 months; the European route, by joint designation of both states; and the PCT route, with the national phase within 30 months of the priority date. The patent attorney chooses the route with you. No official grant time is fixed.

The revised law, in force from 1 January 2027, brings a fee-based search report for every application, makes full examination optional and allows technical documents in English. The official application fee stays CHF 200 but covers 15 claims instead of ten. Renewal fees fall due from the third year after filing.

A patent expires 20 years after the filing date at the latest, in all cases. Under the 2027 rules, renewal fees to the Swiss office fall due from the third year after filing instead of the fourth, and rise by a total of 8 % over the maximum term, for fees due from 1 March 2027.

Liechtenstein courts decide patent civil actions as the single instance and try infringement offences in first and second instance (treaty Art. 10). Rulings can be challenged at the Swiss Federal Supreme Court (Art. 11). Professional representation of parties in court is the lawyers' under RAG Art. 8(1)(b), subject to Art. 8(3), so court work goes to our IP disputes service.

This page makes no statement on who should hold a patent, and none on tax. Under treaty Art. 7(2), the Swiss office is receiving office for PCT applications of persons with seat or domicile in Liechtenstein. On the company side, see the legal form that carries a group's shareholdings and the detailed ready-made companies page.