Austrian Patent Office marks 125th anniversary
From left to right: Daren Tang, Director General, WIPO; Stefan Harasek, President, Austrian Patent Office; Henriette Spyra, Director General Innovation, Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, mobility, Innovation and Technology; António Campinos, President, EPO; João Negrão, Executive Director, EUIPO.
The President of the European Patent Office (EPO) António Campinos has delivered a keynote speech at an international conference on green and digital transition to mark the 125th anniversary of the Austrian Patent Office. Further highlights of his recent mission include the strengthening of partnerships with one of the EPO’s host cities, the City of Vienna, and with several key actors in Austria’s innovation networks.
On 27-29 November, EPO President António Campinos attended the celebrations in Vienna for the 125th anniversary of the Austrian Patent Office. The celebrations provided an opportunity for the EPO to reaffirm its close ties to the Austrian Patent Office and highlight the two offices’ productive co-operation.
President Campinos delivered a keynote speech at the international conference on the topic of IP for the green and digital transition, an event that the Austrian Patent Office held on 28 November to coincide with its anniversary. In his speech, the President stressed the importance of the Unitary Patent to enhancing the accessibility and affordability of the patent system, especially in light of the recent report by Mario Draghi on the future of European competitiveness. President Campinos also highlighted the role of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology as a powerful data resource and provider of tools such as the Deep Tech Finder. The Finder presents blended business and patent data on over 10 000 European universities and startups, including hundreds of entities throughout Austria. By way of conclusion, the President said:
“Let today’s celebration act as a reminder, not only of the history of the innovative spirit here in Austria, but also of the task that lies ahead. And our responsibility to continue breaking down barriers for inventors seeking to bring green technologies out of the lab and into the marketplace. Technologies that benefit society at large and will help secure a sustainable future.”
Fostering local partnerships and innovation networks, supporting micro entities and youth
Further highlights included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Montanuniversität Leoben, which admits the institution to the university network of the EPO’s Pan-European Seal Young Professional programme. The programme offers talented graduates from more than 135 of Europe’s leading universities in 37 countries the opportunity to kick start their IP careers at the EPO. Montanuniversität Leoben becomes the eighth Austrian institution to join the network.
The university’s rector Professor Peter Moser, was later joined by the rectors of two further network members, Professor Horst Bischof of TU Graz and Professor Jens Schneider of Vienna University of Technology, for a meeting with President Campinos on how best to support innovating startups, universities and small enterprises. Their exchanges underlined the importance of accessing finance and attracting investors for small entities to become competitive on the international playing field. To further support such entities, earlier this year the EPO introduced a 30% reduction in fees relating to the patent granting process. There were also exchanges on the range of training that the EPO’s Academy offers university students and graduates, including through its Modular IP Education Framework.
President Campinos also met with Mayor of the City of Vienna Michael Ludwig at Vienna City Hall, providing an opportunity to present the work of the EPO and its Vienna office, which has been newly renovated as a flagship of sustainability.
The intense mission and fruitful exchanges with key actors in Austria’s innovation ecosystem attest to the importance of strong partnerships that ultimately contribute to a more impactful European patent system.