Deferral of Fees / Ex Officio Representation

The fee deferral and ex officio representation at the Austrian Patent Office supports individuals, companies, and founders in filing national patents. The aim is to provide financial relief through the deferral of incurred patent fees as well as the assumption of legal representation in the examination procedure. This promotes innovative strength in research and industry and creates low-threshold access to intellectual property. The funding is provided in the form of a grant and is based on financial need as well as the completeness of submitted documents.

Eligible for funding are private individuals, company founders, and firms with proof of the legal requirements for procedural aid. Applicants must submit a national patent application and document their financial need. Eligible expenses include patent fees and representation costs. Evaluation is based on established criteria: the need situation and the formal completeness of the application documents. Required documents include, in particular, the application form, a description of the invention, claims, drawings, and proof of financial need. The funding period extends from March 1, 2024, to May 30, 2030. With this measure, the Austrian Patent Office contributes to providing inventors and companies with a straightforward and cost-effective path to patent granting and sustainably securing innovations.