| Treaty between the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on Patent Protection | |
|---|---|
| Signed | 22 December 1978 |
| Location | Vaduz |
| Effective | 1 April 1980 |
| Expiration | Concluded for an unlimited period of time.[1] |
| Signatories | 2 |
| Parties | 2 |
| Language | German[2] |
The unitary patent for Switzerland and Liechtenstein is a patent having a unitary character over the territories of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It can either be a national patent, or a European patent granted under the European Patent Convention (EPC) and having a unitary character pursuant to Article 142(1) EPC.[3] The unitary patent "may only be granted, transferred, annulled or lapse in respect of the whole territory of protection," i.e. for both Switzerland and Liechtenstein.[4]
The special agreement establishing this unitary patent is the Treaty between the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on Patent Protection of 22 December 1978, which entered into force on 1 April 1980. This special agreement is also a regional patent agreement within the meaning of Article 45 PCT.[5] Amongst the bilateral treaties concluded between Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the field of patents, the Patent Treaty of 22 December 1978 is considered to be the most important one.[6]
A European patent may only be granted jointly in respect of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, following a joint designation under Article 149 EPC.[5][7] The unitary patent for Switzerland and Liechtenstein was the only unitary patent under Article 142(1) EPC in force until 2023,[8] when the unitary patent (applicable in 17 EU member states) regulation entered into force.
- ^ Article 20(1) of the Treaty of 22 December 1978
- ^ OJ EPO 1980, 407, footnote.
- ^ Benkard, Joos (2012). "Vorbemerkung zu den Artikeln 142–149a Rn 27-29" [Preliminary remarks on Articles 142-149a Rn 27-29]. Europäisches Patentübereinkommen: EPÜ, 2. Auflage 2012 [The European Patent Convention: EPC, 2nd edition 2012] (in German). München (Munich): C.H.BECK. ISBN 978-3-406-60579-6.
- ^ Article 4(1) of the Treaty of 22 December 1978
- ^ a b Visser, Derk (2012). The Annotated European Patent Convention, Twentieth Revised Edition. Veldhoven, The Netherlands: H. Tel Publisher bv. pp. 353–356. ISBN 978-90-78310-08-2.
- ^ Pestalozzi Gmuer & Heiz (1991). Business law guide to Switzerland (reprint ed.). CCH Europe. p. 406. ISBN 978-3-928947-00-8.
- ^ Article 2 of the Treaty of 22 December 1978
- ^ Benkard, Joos (2012). "Vorbemerkung zu den Artikeln 142–149a Rn 1-3" [Preliminary remarks on Articles 142-149a Rn 1-3]. Europäisches Patentübereinkommen: EPÜ, 2. Auflage 2012 [The European Patent Convention: EPC, 2nd edition 2012] (in German). München (Munich): C.H.BECK. ISBN 978-3-406-60579-6.
Dieser Ansatz würde den Art. 142–149 zu einer überraschenden Renaissance führen, deren Anwendungsfeld sich bisher allein im Patentschutzvertrag zwischen der Schweiz und dem Fürstentum Liechtenstein, (...), erschöpfte. [Translation: This approach [i.e., the future EU unitary patent] would lead Art. 142–149 to a surprising renaissance, as indeed the scope of application of these articles was until now limited only to the Patent Treaty between Switzerland and Liechtenstein (...)]
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