Trademark filing: beware of fake invoice scams

These fraudulent practices specifically target individuals and businesses shortly after filing a trademark, exploiting the public information published in the register of the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI).

In this guide, we explain how these scams work, how to identify them, and how to protect yourself and your business effectively.

Why do scammers target trademark owners?

When you file a trademark with the IPI, your filing details (owner name, trademark name, filing date, etc.) become public. Fraudsters use this information to send documents that look like official invoices:

• Using a logo or the name of a fictitious organisation resembling an official register;
• Requesting payment within an unreasonably short deadline;
• Including misleading terms such as “publication fees”, “international register”, or “additional registration”

How to recognise a fake invoice related to your trademark filing

Below are the most common warning signs of a trademark-related scam:

Reminder: Official fees are always clearly stated at the time of filing or on the official IPI website.

And if you file your trademark through Tradamarca, you will never receive an invoice directly from the IPI or any foreign office. All official fees are handled by our firm on your behalf.

This protects you from mistaken payment, and from scams, since you do not need to transfer any funds to third parties.

Some fraudulent companies pretend to offer international trademark protection.

What happens if you pay a fake invoice?

Even if you pay in good faith, fake invoices have no legal value:

• You receive no service whatsoever.
• Your trademark is already protected if it was properly filed with the IPI.
• The money paid is lost and usually very difficult to recover.
• It may cause confusion in your trademark protection strategy and even delay important deadlines.

How to protect yourself from trademark invoice scams

1. Be informed from the moment you file your trademark: these scams are well-known and documented.
2. Always verify the sender before paying any invoice related to intellectual property.
3. If in doubt, consult your trademark attorney or IP advisor.
4. Do not reply to suspicious letters and keep a copy as evidence.
5. Check the IPI’s official list of known fake invoices.

Proper brand management also includes trademark monitoring.

How Tradamarca protects you

At Tradamarca, we support each client from the trademark filing stage to prevent these pitfalls:

• We inform you about known fraudulent practices in Switzerland and abroad.
• We confirm which official payments, if any, are legitimately due.
• We guide you through every step of the filing, registration, and brand protection process.

Our mission is to ensure that your trademark is protected safely and strategically, without unnecessary risks or financial losses.

In summary

• Fake invoices targeting trademark owners are a common scam in Switzerland.
• Scammers exploit the public publication of trademark filings to send misleading payment requests.
• Any invoice should be checked by a trademark professional before you take action.
• Tradamarca helps you secure your brand strategy and avoid common IP-related scams.

To go further, see how to register a trademark step-by-step.

If you have recently filed a trademark, or are preparing to do so, our team is ready to guide you at every stage, ensuring strong, reliable, and strategic protection of your intellectual property rights.