Patent Attorney Ordinance (PatAO) (PatAO)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 27 Objective and content
1 Practical training allows the candidate to obtain, under supervision, practical experience that enables him or her to work independently as a patent attorney under the PatAA. 2 Within the scope of obtaining the requisite practical training, the candidate shall, in particular: a. acquire specialised knowledge in accordance with Article 7 and apply it in practice; b. become familiar with the authorities competent for patent matters in Switzerland; c. learn to draft patent applications on the basis of documentation provided by a client and represent the client in grant procedures; d. become familiar with the formalities and time limits for the procedure of the grant of a patent in Switzerland.
Art. 28 Supervisor
The following persons may supervise practical training: a. any person who is registered in the Patent Attorney Register as a patent attorney; b. any person who has worked professionally as a patent attorney in Switzerland for at least ten years on a full-time basis without being registered in the Swiss Patent Attorney Register; c. any person who has worked professionally as a patent attorney abroad for at least six years on a full-time basis as a regulated profession under the laws of the country of origin; or d. any person who is registered in the list of professional representatives maintained by the European Patent Office and has worked professionally as a patent attorney in Switzerland for at least one year on a full-time basis.
Art. 29 Territorial requirements
1 A minimum of twelve months of the practical training must be completed on a full-time basis under a supervisor with a place of business in Switzerland. 2 Supervised professional work as a patent attorney in a foreign country will be recognised when it was completed on a full-time basis for at least eighteen months and where, as a result, the candidate: a. acquired the specialised knowledge in accordance with Article 7 and applied it in practice; b. became familiar with the authorities competent for patent matters in Switzerland; and c. became familiar with the formalities and time limits for the procedure of the grant of a patent in Switzerland.
Art. 30 Proof of practical training
1 On completion of the candidate’s practical training, the supervisor must certify the following in writing: a. the duration of practical training; b. the level of employment in relation to a full-time equivalent; c. the place of employment; d. the activities performed. 2 In cases of practical training in accordance with Article 29 paragraph 2, the supervisor must also indicate in writing the extent to which the candidate achieved the training objectives in accordance with Article 29 paragraph 2 by means of the performed activities.