Semiconductors

Essential information

(Formal) requirements for semiconductor applications

Procedure / publication

Term of protection / challenges to the protection

Semiconductor protection is understood as the protection of the three-dimensional structures of microelectronic semiconductors. To put it even more simply, it refers to the protection of the internal structure of a microchip.

For your own benefit, please use the HT 1 form for your application. This will make it easier for you to ensure your application complies with the formal requirements.

If the application complies with the statutory formal requirements, the protection right is registered in the Semiconductor Protection Register and the entry is published in the Patent Gazette.

The maximum term of semiconductor protection is ten years, dating from commencement of the protection. The protection commences on the date of the first commercial exploitation of the semiconductor product if an application is submitted to the Austrian Patent Office within the following two years. In the case of semiconductor products that have not yet been publicly exploited at the time of application, the protection commences upon the filing date.