Which is the competent authority for patent applications for inventions in Austria?

yes

Austrian Patent Office

English: Austrian Patent Office, abbreviation: ATPO

Website: Home | Das Österreichische Patentamt

Austrian Utility Model Patent Search: National Patents Search (patentamt.at)

yes. Prior to patent grant/rejection, the patent type can be converted from utility model to invention at the request of the applicant. Can only be converted once.

1 month

yes. If multiple designs have at least one of the same category, a maximum of 50 designs can be included in one design.

ATPO conducts formality examination only for utility model patent applications. Although ATPO searches utility model patent applications, the search results do not affect the grant results. The applicant may amend the patent application after receiving the search report.

If within 12 months before the filing of the design patent application, due to the disclosure of the designer or its former right holder, the novelty grace period can be enjoyed.

• Authorization Fee: None
• Annuity: After the granted, it will be paid year by year from the 6th year from the date of application, and should be paid within 3 months before the date of application each year. If the annual fee is overdue, the payment can be postponed within a grace period of 6 months, but a surcharge of 20% is required. There is no late fee for the first three months of the late payment period for the first annual fee (i.e. the sixth year).

11 months. If an expedited request is made, granted can be obtained in about 3-4 months.

• via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
• EU route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
• Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.