What does the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE) do?
The protection of coats of arms and indications of source is part of the IGE’s area of competence. As such, it provides information in a targeted way (except for legal proceedings, see questions 10 and 11, principally to the Swiss embassies abroad and the general director of the customs administration, but also to individuals who advise it of cases of potentially illegal use. In Switzerland, the IGE notifies the offender in writing of the illegal use and the possible consequences. Example: A Swiss business is selling bicycle saddlebags manufactured in Asia with a label ‘Company X swiss made.’ After receiving written notification from the IGE, Company X stops using the misleading label. Abroad, interventions can be undertaken with collaboration by the Swiss embassies. In this way the IGE can draw the attention of the parties involved to the illegal act and inform the trade associations concerned who then can decide what action to take.In the majority of cases, once the offenders have re
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