Patent Attorney in Liechtenstein
There is no separate Liechtenstein patent. We prepare your file and coordinate; a licensed Liechtenstein patent attorney files and represents.
- One territory with Switzerland, treaty in force 1 April 1980
- Three routes: Swiss, European, PCT
- Term: 20 years after filing at the latest
- Revised Swiss patent law in force 1 January 2027
How patent protection works in Liechtenstein
Under the patent treaty with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland form one protection territory. Swiss federal patent law applies, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) in Bern administers it. A patent here is a Swiss patent, or a European or PCT patent designating both states together. Patents are not trademarks: see filing a national trademark with a local representative.
Professional advice and representation in patent matters is the work of a licensed Liechtenstein patent attorney (PAG Art. 8); lawyers hold their own reserved powers (RAG Art. 8). We prepare, collect and coordinate. We never file, and we never assess whether an invention is patentable.
What's included
Collecting your documents
We gather the invention disclosure, drawings and applicant details and forward them to the attorney. We do not assess them.
Patentability and route
The licensed patent attorney assesses patentability and chooses the route: Swiss, European or PCT.
Engagement letter and power of attorney
You sign; the attorney decides whether to accept the mandate.
The application
Request, description, claims, drawings and abstract, drafted by the attorney. We coordinate the hand-over.
Filing
With the IPI, the European Patent Office or under the PCT, by the licensed patent attorney.
Office objections and after grant
Answers to the office, then renewal fees, transfers and licences, all handled by the attorney.
A licence check before you sign
We point you to the FMA public register so you can check the attorney yourself.
Outside this service
No drafting or assessment by us. Court work belongs to lawyers: see how an IP owner stops an infringement in Liechtenstein. Trademarks: filing a national trademark with a local representative.
Who it is for
When an inventor needs a Liechtenstein patent attorney, it is usually one of these three cases.
A foreign inventor or company
You want protection in the Swiss and Liechtenstein territory and need someone licensed to file there.
A holder of a Swiss or European patent
You already hold a patent and want to know what it means for Liechtenstein.
A company seated in Liechtenstein
The IPI is the receiving office for your PCT application. Need the company first? See the detailed ready-made companies page.
How the process works
Disclosure and documents
You supply the invention; we collect and forward. The licensed patent attorney assesses patentability and the route.
Check the attorney
You check the attorney in the FMA public register before anything is signed.
Engagement letter and power of attorney
You sign; the attorney accepts or declines the mandate.
Application prepared
The attorney drafts the request, description, claims, drawings and abstract. We coordinate.
Filing
With the IPI, the EPO or under the PCT. Extension abroad within 12 months of a Swiss filing; PCT national phase within 30 months after the priority date.
Examination and grant
By the IPI or the EPO. From 1 January 2027 every Swiss application gets a search report; full examination is on request. No grant time is stated.
After grant
Renewal fees to the IPI, advice on transfers and licences. The term ends 20 years after filing at the latest.
The time limits in step 5 come from the IPI's page on the three routes to patent protection.
Eleven steps of a patent filing for Liechtenstein
Supplies the invention
Who acts: Client
Collects and forwards
Who acts: ABB
Assesses patentability and route
Who acts: Licensed patent attorney
Checks the attorney in the FMA register
Who acts: Client
Signs the engagement letter and power of attorney
Who acts: Client
Accepts the mandate
Who acts: Licensed patent attorney
Coordinates
Who acts: ABB
Drafts
Who acts: Licensed patent attorney
Files with the IPI or EPO; or under the PCT (12-month priority, 30-month PCT national phase)
Who acts: Licensed patent attorney
Answers objections. No grant time is stated
Who acts: Licensed patent attorney
Renewals, transfers, licences
Who acts: Licensed patent attorney
Term: 20 years after filing at the latest
Not sure which route fits your invention?
Send us a short description. The licensed patent attorney chooses the route; we prepare the file. Fees on request.
Documents you will need
- Invention disclosure and technical description
- Drawings
- Any earlier filing you want to claim priority from
- Applicant identity and company details for the engagement letter
- A signed power of attorney for the licensed patent attorney
The attorney's name appears in your engagement letter, not on this page. Patentability conditions: the national administration's patent law page.
Patent rules and official fees in Liechtenstein
How patent protection reaches Liechtenstein through Switzerland, then the IPI's official fees under the revised law.
Fixed time limits of a patent for Liechtenstein
Priority and national phase (months)
- Filing dateStart of the priority periodIPI
- 12 monthsExtension abroad (priority)IPI
- 30 monthsPCT national phase, after the priority dateIPI
Term (years)
- Filing dateStart of the termIPI
- 20 yearsAfter filing at the latest: patent expiresIPI
Patent rules and time limits for Liechtenstein.
| item | rule | source |
|---|---|---|
| Territory | one protection territory with Switzerland; treaty in force 1 April 1980 | patent treaty, LGBl. 1980 Nr. 31 |
| Effect | same effect in both states; granted, transferred, declared void or lapsing only for the territory as a whole | patent treaty |
| Law and office | Swiss federal patent law; the IPI administers for the whole territory | patent treaty |
| European patent | Liechtenstein and Switzerland only by joint designation | patent treaty |
| PCT | both states designated together; the IPI is receiving office for Liechtenstein nationals and for applicants with a seat or domicile there | patent treaty |
| Priority | extension abroad within 12 months of a Swiss filing | IPI |
| PCT national phase | within 30 months after the priority date | IPI |
| Term | 20 years after the filing date at the latest | IPI |
| Who represents professionally | a licensed Liechtenstein patent attorney (PAG Art. 8), besides lawyers (RAG Art. 8); unlicensed exercise of a patent-attorney activity is punishable (PAG Art. 47) | PAG |
Sources: patent treaty with Switzerland; PAG; IPI, three routes.
Official Swiss IPI fees from 1 January 2027 (CHF).
| item | amount | note |
|---|---|---|
| Application | CHF 200 | covers 15 claims |
| Search | CHF 500 | search report for every application |
| Partial substantive examination | CHF 400 | |
| Full examination | an additional CHF 300 | optional |
| Renewal fees | from the third year after filing | total rise of 8% over the maximum term, for fees due from 1 March 2027 |
Source: IPI, patent law 2027. Official fees of the IPI, not ours or the attorney's; fees on request.
Problems we solve
"I want a Liechtenstein patent"
There is none of its own. A Swiss patent is valid in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and so is a European or PCT patent designating both.
No Liechtenstein patent office
The IPI in Bern administers patents for both states, and the EPO handles European patents. The Office of Economic Affairs deals with trademarks, not patents.
Who actually files
The licensed patent attorney, whom you check in the FMA register before signing. We coordinate the file and the hand-over.
A patent attorney is not a lawyer
The two hold different licences. Court representation belongs to lawyers under the RAG, which leaves the patent attorney's statutory powers untouched.
What changes in 2027
A search report for every Swiss application, optional full examination, documents in English, and 15 claims per application fee instead of ten (IPI).
Ready to prepare your patent filing?
Tell us what you invented and where you want protection. We prepare the file for the licensed attorney.
Why work with us
Jonas Wolfinger, Schaan; works in German, English and Portuguese. He prepares the files and coordinates the hand-over to the licensed patent attorney.
Every Liechtenstein patent attorney needs an FMA licence, is bound to professional secrecy and carries indemnity cover of at least two million francs (PAG Art. 1b, 16, 17(3)). The FMA public register shows who holds a licence. For firms that need an FMA licence of their own, see licensing an asset manager, bank or insurer.
From our practice
We collect your documents and hand them over; the licensed patent attorney advises, files and represents.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I not get a "Liechtenstein patent" on its own?
Liechtenstein and Switzerland form one protection territory for invention patents. Swiss federal patent law applies there, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property in Bern administers it for both states. A patent has the same effect in both states and can be granted, transferred or lapse only for the territory as a whole.
If I already hold a Swiss patent, is my invention protected in Liechtenstein?
A Swiss patent filed with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property is valid in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It has the same effect in both states and can be transferred, declared void or lapse only for the territory as a whole. Your licensed patent attorney confirms the details for your patent.
Does a European patent validated for Switzerland cover Liechtenstein too?
A European patent can be obtained for Liechtenstein and Switzerland only by joint designation, and the two states give it the same effect. How a particular European patent is validated is a question for the licensed patent attorney, who works from the patent itself.
Does ABB file my patent?
No. Professional advice and representation in patent matters are the licence of a Liechtenstein patent attorney (PAG Art. 8); lawyers hold their own powers under RAG Art. 8. Unlicensed exercise is punishable by up to three months' imprisonment or 180 daily rates (PAG Art. 47). ABB prepares, collects and coordinates; the licensed partner files and represents.
Do I have to use a Liechtenstein patent attorney, or can I use a Swiss, German or US attorney?
Professional advice and representation in patent matters in Liechtenstein are the licence of a Liechtenstein patent attorney; lawyers hold their own powers. Before the Swiss institute, a person domiciled or seated in Liechtenstein can be appointed representative only if Liechtenstein law entitles that person to professional patent representation. EEA attorneys may serve temporarily after prior written notice to the FMA.
Is a patent attorney the same as a lawyer?
No. A patent attorney holds an FMA licence under the Patent Attorneys Act, which covers professional advice and representation in all intellectual property matters, patents included. Lawyers hold the professional representation of parties in court under the Lawyers Act, and the statutory powers of patent attorneys stay untouched.
How do I check that a patent attorney is licensed?
Practising as a patent attorney needs an FMA licence. The FMA keeps a public, regularly updated register of all persons subject to the Patent Attorneys Act; check it before you sign the engagement letter. The professional title is protected in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Where is the patent office of Liechtenstein?
Liechtenstein has no patent office of its own. The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property in Bern carries out the administration for the whole territory, and the European Patent Office is the office for European patents. The Office of Economic Affairs handles trademarks, not patents.
Which route is there: Swiss, European or PCT?
The Swiss institute describes three routes that lead to two types of patent, national and European. A Swiss filing allows extension abroad within 12 months; European and PCT applications designate both states together, and the PCT national phase starts within 30 months after the priority date. The choice is made with the attorney.
What changes with the Swiss patent law of 1 January 2027?
The partly revised law comes into force on 1 January 2027 and applies in Liechtenstein through the treaty (Art. 5(1)(a)). Every application gets a fee-based search report and full examination becomes optional; documents may be filed in English. The application fee stays CHF 200 but covers 15 claims.
How long does a patent last?
A patent expires 20 years after the filing date at the latest. Under the 2027 rules renewal fees fall due from the third year after filing. No official time for examination or grant is published, so no duration of the procedure is promised.
What happens if someone infringes my patent in Liechtenstein?
Liechtenstein courts decide patent civil actions as the single instance and prosecute and judge infringement offences in first and second instance; rulings can be challenged at the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. Court representation is a lawyers' activity; ABB does no court work.
Can my Liechtenstein company hold the patent?
A patent can be transferred, but only for the territory as a whole. The Swiss institute is the receiving office for PCT applications from persons with a seat or domicile in Liechtenstein. Who may hold a patent, and any tax effect, is for the licensed attorney and your tax adviser; this page makes no tax statement.
Request a patent filing plan
No price and no promised date. Send a short description of the invention and where you want protection.
info@business-in-liechtenstein.com · +423 210 0002 · Business Development department · Monday to Friday, 09:30-17:00 (CET/CEST) · Bahnhofstrasse 8, 9495 Schaan