The initial protection is 5 years, which can be renewed 4 times for a maximum protection of 25 years.
- 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.
A novelty grace period of 6 months prior to the filing date/priority date may be granted if the invention is disclosed as a result of apparent misuse by the applicant or its former right holders, or if the invention is exhibited at an official or officially recognized exhibition.
A novelty grace period of 6 months prior to the filing date/priority date may be granted if the invention is disclosed as a result of apparent misuse by the applicant or its former right holders, or if the invention is exhibited at an official or officially recognized exhibition.
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.
Austrian Patent Office
English: Austrian Patent Office, abbreviation: ATPO
Website: Home | Das Österreichische Patentamt
Austrian Utility Model Patent Search: National Patents Search (patentamt.at)
- 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).
ATPO only conducts formality examination of design patent applications.
Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" and "unintentional/due care" accepted.
ATPO conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patents. The search report will be published together with the patent application within 18 months from the filing date, and the substantive examination will start automatically, and the applicant does not need to file a separate request for substantive examination. It can be authorized if the granted conditions are met.
Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" and "unintentional/due care" accepted.