As from last July 1st 2002, a new Swiss Design Law is entered into force, of which the most important changes are the following, bringing said Law in a closer harmonisation with that of the European Union :

• The total possible duration is of 25 years (first period of five years, and four subsequent extensions of five years each)
  
  
• All the designs are published when entered into the Design Register, which involves the payment of a publication fee (depending on the type and number of representations); the publication can however be deferred up to a maximum of 30 months from the filing (or priority) date.
  
  
• The owner of a design is on the benefit of a grace period of twelve months before the filing, during which a disclosure of the design cannot be opposed to said owner.
  
  
• Designs belonging to the same class of goods according to the Locarno Arrangement may be included in one single multiple design registration.
  
  
• Foreign applicants have to appoint a Swiss representative.