The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property maintains a very thorough question and answer section on their web site regarding the legality of using Swiss-branded elements in marketing. Here are some samples of questions and answers:
Can the Swiss cross be affixed to products?
Principally, no. The Federal Law on the Protection of Coats of Arms and other Public insignia expressly prohibits affixing the Swiss cross onto products or their packaging for commercial purposes. In absolute terms, this prohibition covers all products originating in Switzerland as well as those manufactured abroad. Affixing the Swiss cross on food products is illegal, even if the products really do originate in Switzerland.
What about red T-shirts with a large white cross? Is such a use of the Swiss cross legal?
Yes. Since the Swiss cross is being used for decorative purposes and not with commercial intent (i.e., primarily to indicate the origin of source for products), its use is legal, even if the products have been manufactured abroad. A decorative use is, for example, on glasses, spoons, postcards, and other souvenir articles. This type of use is legal because consumers are not perceiving it as an indication of source but rather simply as a decorative element.
For more questions and answers, go to: www.ip4all.ch
