The short answer
A Swiss word trademark protects the registered wording independently of ordinary fonts, sizes and upper or lower case. Bold and italic versions are generally included too. Special graphic styling is a different subject of protection. Registration gives no rights to a font file or to every similar word.
Define the name independently of its layout
A pure word trademark focuses on the sequence of characters. The IPI guidelines include ordinary printing fonts and typical typographic variations. This can suit a name used on a website today and on a redesigned application or product package later, without tying the filing to one layout.
Identify exactly which words, numbers and characters permanently belong to the brand. Adding a product name or creating a new word combination is not simply changing fonts. Use the precise intended sequence in the application and distinguish it from changing advertising messages or legal company details.
Sources: IPI: Trade Mark Guidelines 2026 · IPI: Trademark types and colour claims
Changing capitalisation does not automatically avoid conflict
Capital letters do not automatically make a similar name available. Sound, visual appearance and meaning can matter when comparing word trademarks. Modernising typography does not change pronunciation. Search plausible variants for the relevant goods or services instead of checking only the exact capitalisation you intend to use.
Conversely, your own word trademark does not guarantee a prohibition on every similarly written expression. The particular conflict still matters. The IPI does not independently check earlier trademark rights during registration. A formally accepted application therefore cannot replace a careful investigation of the names surrounding your proposed brand.
Sources: IPI: Trade Mark Guidelines 2026 · IPI: Conflicts with earlier rights
Treat graphic design and font licensing separately
A defining symbol, specially shaped lettering or unusual arrangement may make an additional figurative or combined trademark relevant. A word trademark does not record that graphic creation as such. Which application makes sense depends on what you actually want customers to recognise in your brand identity.
Trademark registration also does not transfer a licence to the font file used. Check permitted use with the relevant rights holder. To prepare the filing decision, collect the name in neutral lettering, the final logo and a list of the products or services on which both signs will appear.
Sources: IPI: Trade Mark Guidelines 2026 · IPI: Trademark types and colour claims · IPI: Rights assignment and licensing
What you can do now
- Fix the permanent character sequence without changing messages.
- Search similar names regardless of capitalisation.
- Assess logo protection and font permission separately.
Frequently asked questions
Must I register upper-case and lower-case versions separately?
Generally not for ordinary typographic variants of a pure word trademark. A graphically independent logo or a different character sequence raises a different question, however.
Sources: IPI: Trade Mark Guidelines 2026
Can a new font let me use somebody else’s name?
Not reliably. A different font removes neither similar pronunciation nor automatically the likelihood of confusion. The relevant offerings and the complete comparison of signs still matter.
Sources: IPI: Conflicts with earlier rights