What is the Freedom of Information Act?
The Freedom of Information Act (IFG) has been in effect since September 1, 2025. It requires all public bodies – including the Austrian Patent Office – to publish and disclose information.
The law is based on two pillars:
- Proactive publication: Information of general interest is published in the information register at data.gv.at. You can find the Austrian Patent Office’s proactive publications on this platform.
- Information upon request: Anyone may request specific information. To do so, simply submit a request, preferably by email to informationsfreiheit[at]patentamt.at.
Not all information may or can be disclosed. The Freedom of Information Act provides for exclusion grounds that can prevent the disclosure or publication of information — e.g. for reasons of data protection or security, disproportionate administrative burden, etc.
Further information on freedom of information can be found here.
Additional sources of information
Much information can be obtained faster with just a few clicks on our website:
- Using the navigation or search function on our website: Find advisory and service offerings, search options, and information on all industrial property rights (including costs, filing, and administration). Additionally, press releases, statistics, and annual reports are available on our website.
- Via our search platform see.ip, you can find documents on patents, trademarks, and designs quickly and free of charge, and access comprehensive data on applied-for and granted industrial property rights.
- Newly granted industrial property rights are published every month in the Gazettes on Patents, Utility Models, Designs and Trademarks.
- If you need to inspect files regarding industrial property rights, please contact kopierstelle[at]patentamt.at