Computer Software

– Federal Act on Copyright and Related Rights of October 9, 1992; last amendments in force since July 1, 2023.
– Ordinance on Copyright and Related Rights of April 26, 1993, in force since July 1, 1993; last amendments in force since January 1, 2022.

Membership in International Conventions

– Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, as revised in Paris 1971.
– Geneva Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, as revised in Paris 1971, since September 30, 1993.
– WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT), since July 1, 2008.
– WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), since July 1, 2008.

Protection

Definition: computer programs (software) are considered as works according to the Copyright Law. 

Registration: not provided for.

Applicant: the author or his legal successor. 

Beginning of protection: from the date of its creation. 

Duration: seventy years after the death of the author.

Infringement: follows the same rules as for literary and artistic works.

Surveillance by customs: may be requested by the owners of the copyright or related rights, if they have good reasons to believe that infringing items are imminently being brought into or taken out of the Swiss customs territory. The Customs Administration has to reply and carry out the surveillance within fourty days. Surveillance usually lasts two years from the request. The Customs Administration is authorized to notify the rights owners if there is any suspicion that infringing goods may imminently be brought into or taken out of the Swiss customs territory and to withhold the goods for three working days in order that the persons entitled may file an application refusing the release of the goods. The owners or licensees of rights having clear indications that infringing goods may imminently be brought into or taken out of the Swiss customs territory may request the Customs Administration, in writing, to refuse the release of the goods by providing a precise description of the goods.