1905 Swiss copyright referendum

Last updated January 24, 2026

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1905 Swiss copyright referendum

19 March 1905

Federal decree regarding the revision of Art. 64 of the Federal Constitution (extension of inventor protection)

Results

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	199,187	70.35%
No	83,935	29.65%
Valid votes	283,122	91.06%
Invalid or blank votes	27,783	8.94%
Total votes	310,905	100.00%
Registered voters/turnout	776,394	40.04%

Politics of Switzerland
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v t e

A referendum on copyright was held in Switzerland on 19 March 1905. Voters were asked whether they approved of a federal resolution on revising article 64 of the constitution, defining the protection rights of inventors. It was approved by 70.4% of voters and a majority of cantons.^[1]

Background
Results
References

Background

The referendum was a mandatory referendum,^[1] which required a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons. The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton. Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.^[2]

Results

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
Choice	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	199,187	70.4	19	5	21.5
Against	83,935	29.6	0	1	0.5
Blank votes	23,452	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	4,331	–	–	–	–
Total	310,905	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	776,394	40.0	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1 2 Dieter Nohlen & Phillip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1906 ISBN 9783832956097
↑ Nohlen & Stöver, p1891

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1905 Swiss copyright referendum

Contents

Background

Results

References