About us

The Austrian Patent Office was founded in 1899 and has been the central authority for the protection of intellectual property in Austria for over 125 years. As a subordinate agency of the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, we offer more than just legal protection for patents, trademarks, and designs. We support inventors and creatives in successfully implementing their ideas — whether through the registration, management, or international alignment of their intellectual property rights.

In addition to granting and registering patents, trademarks, and designs, we also offer consultations, protection analyses, and a wide range of services tailored to the individual needs of our clients. Through workshops, seminars, and regular information events, we share our expertise and help ensure that innovations receive and make the most of the best possible protection.

• The world is full of intellectual property. Whenever people think of, try out, or create something new, they generate intellectual property — even if they or others are often unaware of it.
• We clarify what intellectual property means, how to handle it effectively in different situations, what trademarks, patents, and designs can do, and where their limitations lie. We share this knowledge and expertise with anyone interested.
• We love innovation and admire people who try new things, discover unique technical solutions, and create brands and designs. We help inventors and creatives find the best way to protect their innovations. We do our utmost to support them in patenting and registering trademarks and designs.
• In granting and registering trademarks, patents, and designs, we are fair in our assessments — not only toward our clients but also toward society. Everyone can rely on the fact that the exclusive rights we grant are justified. Everyone has the right to have these rights reviewed through us.
• We are curious about the ideas and designs of our clients. Our daily interactions with them give us deep insight into their worlds, and we understand that they need fast analysis, advice, and decisions from top experts. Providing that is our mission — and our commitment.

Stefan Harasek has been President of the Austrian Patent Office since December 1, 2023.

Harasek began his career at the Austrian Patent Office in 2004 as a patent examiner. He established the Strategy Department of the Patent Office and, as its head since 2016, played a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the institution. In 2022, he was appointed Vice President for the field of inventions. Since July 2023, he had already been serving as the acting President of the Austrian Patent Office.

In addition to his work for the Austrian Patent Office, he served as a technical expert member of the former Supreme Patent and Trademark Senate and as a lay judge with technical expertise in patent matters at the Supreme Court of Austria.

A central focus of his work is to connect the official functions of the Austrian Patent Office with service and information offerings, in order to best meet the needs of innovators and the public.