Collaboration & bilateral meetings
Our customers benefit directly from our close collaboration and continuous dialogue with other patent offices and international organizations. We are helping to make the processes in the field of intellectual property rights simpler and more harmonized. This saves time and improves the quality of our services. Each year, we hold around a dozen meetings with other national and regional patent offices to promote the direct sharing of knowledge at expert level. This close coordination is crucial for harmonizing procedures and continuously improving the quality of our services.
World Intellectual Property Organization
We work closely with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. The international treaties it administers form the basis for global intellectual property protection, such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks (Madrid Agreement and Protocol).
European Union Intellectual Property Office
Another key partner is the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which is specifically responsible for managing European Union trade marks (EUTMs), registered European Union designs (REUDs), and geographical indications (GIs) for craft and industrial products, with protection extending to all EU countries. In addition, Boards of Appeal have been established as independent appellate bodies, as well as an Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. We serve on the EUIPO’s governing bodies and actively shape the organization.
European Union Intellectual Property Network
Through the European Union Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN), we participate in the harmonization of trademark and design law, as well as in the broader exchange of best practices regarding the administration of intellectual property rights. The results serve as guidance for the participating offices to ensure consistent decision-making practices.
Trademark
CP1 Acceptability of Classification Terms and the General Indications of the Nice Class Headings
CP3 Distinctiveness - Figurative Marks containing descriptive/non-distinctive words
CP4 Scope of Protection of Black and White (“B&W”) Marks
CP5 Relative Grounds – Likelihood of Confusion (Impact of Non-Distinctive/Weak Components)
CP8 Use of a Trade Mark in a Form Differing from the one Registered
Common Communication on the Representation of New Types of Trade Marks
CP11 New Types of Marks: Examination of Formal Requirements and Grounds for Refusal
CP12 Evidence in Trade Mark Appeal Proceedings: Filing, Structure and Presentation of Evidence, and the Treatment of Confidential Evidence
With regard to the communication in question, the Austrian Patent Office – like the German Patent and Trademark Office – has filed a reservation with the EUIPO concerning its implementation and applicability. The recommendations and examples contained in the communication are therefore not binding in proceedings before the Austrian Patent Office or in court proceedings.
CP13 Trade mark applications made in bad faith
CP14 Trade marks contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality
CP16 Signs describing the subject matter of goods and/or services
CP17 The distinctive character of slogans
Design
CP6 Graphic Representation of Designs
CP7 Harmonization of Product Indications
CP10 Criteria for Assessing Disclosure of Designs on the Internet
Further information, materials, and documents regarding the practices and common communications can be found on the EUIPN website.
ipsupportbusiness.eu
ipsupportbusiness.eu is the EUIPN’s dedicated platform for SMEs, providing easy access to intellectual property knowledge, resources, and digital tools that help businesses understand, protect, and unlock the commercial value of their IP. The platform also provides an overview of the contacts and services offered by national IP offices across the EU, supporting businesses in their innovation and internationalization efforts.
Pro Bono Support
Pro Bono Support is a free legal advisory service offered by independent intellectual property experts across the European Union. Through tailored one-to-one consultations in their preferred language, participants gain expert guidance on understanding and protecting their IP.
European Patent Office
We also cooperate closely with the European Patent Office (EPO). It provides a centralized patent application and examination procedure with effect in numerous European countries. Our participation in the EPO’s governing bodies helps ensure that Austrian interests play a direct role in shaping the European IP system. We also cooperate with the EPO in various areas, ranging from training activities and harmonization of practices to IT and digitalization projects.
European Union
The European Union establishes a legal framework for industrial property protection in the EU and ensures uniform, modern standards. Within the framework of joint legislation between the European Commission, the Council, and the Parliament, we contribute our expertise in a targeted manner, specifically through Council working groups and expert groups. The European Commission’s IPR Helpdesk, funded by the European Union, supports small and medium-sized enterprises and particularly helps them to protect and exploit their intellectual property internationally.
Unified Patent Court
Through its participation in the supervisory committees of the Unified Patent Court, the Austrian Patent Office plays a key role in shaping the unified patent system.