Introduction of QR invoices as a new payment option from July 2025

The Office for Economic Affairs, which is responsible for trademarks and design, published the following new information regarding payment options in July 2025:

"In line with ongoing digitalisation, the Office for Economic Affairs will offer QR invoices as a new, user-friendly payment option from the beginning of July 2025. This will replace the previous IBAN transfer to the state administration.

After selecting the ‘Invoice’ option in the application form, applicants will receive two emails:

an order confirmation (an ‘Invoice’ is ordered);

the QR invoice for direct payment.

Payment processing for this option is also handled by our partner Payrexx AG.

Please note: Only paid applications will be processed – if payment is not received, the application will be rejected.

From the beginning of July 2025, applicants will be able to choose between ‘credit card’ and ‘invoice’ (QR invoice) during the application process. The system will then automatically guide them through the next steps.

This extension will make the payment process even easier, safer and more convenient."

Source: www.llv.li/de/news/marken-und-design-neu-zahlungsoption

PATRA will also use this new payment option.

Harmonisation and partial revision of the IPI Guidelines as of 1 July 2023

Following the harmonisation of the various procedures and the keeping of registers in the fields of trade marks, designs and patents, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), the authority responsible for trade mark, patent and design law in Switzerland, has drawn up new guidelines reflecting this harmonisation. These harmonised guidelines concern the parts "General Part", "Registration/Appraisal Procedure" and "Keeping the Register".

In addition, the IPI has partially revised its trade mark guidelines ("International trade mark registration", "Substantive trade mark examination", "Opposition proceedings" and "Cancellation proceedings due to non-use") as well as the guidelines for the substantive examination of national patent applications.

These guidelines entered into force on 1 July 2023 and will be applied to all pending proceedings from that date.

The current versions of the 3 guidelines can be found at https://www.ige.ch/de/uebersicht-dienstleistungen/dokumente-und-links/marken and https://www.ige.ch/de/uebersicht-dienstleistungen/dokumente-und-links/design

The Office of Economic Affairs has introduced new administrative procedures in trademark protection

The Office of Economic Affairs has introduced new administrative procedures in trademark protection as of 1 January 2023.

With the implementation of Directive (EU) 2015/2436 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2015 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to trademarks, new procedures under registration law have been introduced before the Office. These are opposition proceedings against the registration of a trademark as well as proceedings for revocation or declaration of invalidity In this way, the simplest, quickest and least expensive legal remedies are made available. Thus, the goal of a uniform trademark and design system in Europe is also supported by Liechtenstein.

Until now, Liechtenstein did not recognise these procedures.

Since Liechtenstein did not recognise these procedures until now, the Trademark Protection Act (MSchG, LGBI. 1997 No. 60, the Trademark Protection Ordinance (MSchV, LGBI. 1997 No. 77 and also the Ordinance on the Collection of Fees under the Trademark Protection Act (LGBI. 1997 No. 78) had to be amended. The links to the consolidated legislation can be found on the homepage of the Office of Economic Affairs or at www.gesetze.li.

The Office of Economic Affairs provides new forms for these procedures via the online counter of the Liechtenstein National Administration.