Unfair competition
Unfair competition covers deceptive, abusive or otherwise improper market conduct that distorts competition or harms competitors, customers or the public.
Swiss unfair competition law protects fair market behaviour rather than individual competitors alone. It addresses practices such as misleading advertising, confusion with another business, denigration, aggressive sales methods, misuse of work results, certain abusive contract terms and breaches of business secrecy. Remedies may include injunctions, removal, damages, profit surrender and, in serious cases, criminal sanctions. The assessment is fact-specific and complements intellectual property, consumer protection, data protection and antitrust rules.