With the intensification of trade between Switzerland and the European Union, and the continued expansion of Swiss brands internationally, effective intellectual property protection within the EU, particularly in France and with the EUIPO, has become a major strategic challenge.
Dreyfus & associés, a Paris-based law firm, has been collaborating for over 20 years with Swiss intellectual property firms, attorneys, and companies to defend and enhance their rights in France, French-speaking countries, and throughout the European Union.
Although Switzerland maintains privileged relations with the European Union, it is not an EU member. Swiss companies seeking to protect their intellectual property rights in the EU must therefore appoint a local representative for many procedures:
Judicial or administrative actions requiring local expertise and physical presence in the EU
Different procedural languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish) depending on jurisdictions
Understanding of the European legal framework, particularly for proceedings before the EUIPO, French INPI, and national courts in EU member states
Mandatory representation for non-European nationals in certain administrative and litigation procedures
We act as your European representative before competent institutions
EU trademarks and designs
French trademarks, patents, and designs
Litigation in counterfeiting, unfair competition, parasitism
SYRELI, PARL, UDRP in French
Anti-counterfeiting measures and border seizures
We work hand in hand with our Swiss partners to ensure:
Multilingual communication (French, English, German with interpreters if necessary)
Complete transparency regarding legal steps and costs
Strict compliance with European and French procedural deadlines
Full handling of the end client, without interfering with your client relationship
Seamless coordination between Swiss and European legal systems
Watch industry
We represented a Swiss watch manufacturer in an opposition filed by a European competitor.
Result: The Swiss trademark was maintained and fully protected throughout the European Union territory.
Pharmaceutical industry
A strategic .fr domain name for a Swiss pharmaceutical company had been registered in bad faith by a third party. We obtained its transfer through the SYRELI procedure before AFNIC.
Cosmetics
For a Swiss cosmetics company, we coordinated legal action in France and obtained counterfeit seizures at European customs, stopping the importation of counterfeit products.
Specialized firm in intellectual property and digital law
Over 20 years of cooperation with Swiss clients
Discreet collaboration without competing with your firms
Dedicated team for cross-border cases
Although Switzerland is geographically close and economically integrated, it is not an EU member. Procedures before French courts, INPI, or EUIPO often require a representative established in the European Union. Differences in procedure, language, and law make a France-based partner essential.
Yes, absolutely. We represent our client before the EUIPO (especially when the procedural language is French) and before the INPI, for filings, oppositions, cancellations, and litigation, in full compliance with European and French deadlines and rules.
Absolutely. We represent our clients in UDRP procedures (in French), SYRELI and PARL EXPERT, and provide upstream advice to prevent cybersquatting cases and protect our Swiss clients’ digital identity.
We ensure trademark registration with French and European customs, monitor imports, and coordinate legal actions to stop counterfeit products, including in urgent situations. We work closely with French and European customs authorities.
Yes, this is our top priority. We act discreetly as procedural counsel, with transparency and absolute respect for the client relationship. We are an operational arm serving Swiss firms, not a competitor.
We communicate in French, German, and English as needed, provide clear and regular follow-up, strictly respect deadlines, and use modern collaborative work tools to facilitate exchanges with your teams in Switzerland.
