Switzerland signs international trademark treaty

On March 28, Switzerland signed the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks (Singapore TLT). The agreement makes it easier for Swiss depositors of trademarks to obtain trademark protection from foreign trademark offices, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property announced on Thursday. This could reduce the costs of international trademark protection. The treaty continues the harmonization of trademark law at international level and takes account of the latest international developments. The new treaty also applies to new forms of trademarks such as colors, sounds and smells. Parliament still has to approve the ratification, however. 41 countries have signed the treaty so far.