Scientific research and development at TU Wien often forms the basis for novel, innovative products or processes that can be used in a variety of fields. In the implementation of the often still basic research results into an actual product, securing the research results and the rights of TU Wien and its inventors is one of the decisive steps. The crucial document for this purpose is the invention disclosure form which must be completed, signed and sent to Research and Transfer Support. This also includes inventions generated during collaborations with the industry and other research institutions.
The staff members of Patent and Licence Management provide support to inventors of TU Wien in filing patent applications and in patent management, as well as in the implementation and exploitation of inventions.
See Erfindungsmeldungsformular (Deutsch), opens an external URL in a new window / Invention Disclosure Form (English), opens an external URL in a new window
Inventions, which represent clear technical innovations, have the chance to be protected by a patent. These innovative solutions need to be suitable for industrial applications.
It is required to perform a preparatory patent and literature search and append it to the invention disclosure.
ESPACENET, opens an external URL in a new window | DEPATISnet, opens an external URL in a new window | Google/patents, opens an external URL in a new window
The invention must not be published in oral or written form (i.e. made accessible to the public) during these preliminary stages, in order for it to be patentable.From the day the patent application is filed, it is safe to publish the invention.
Detailed information regarding patent search, patent procedures etc. is available in our guide, opens an external URL in a new window (Handling inventions at TU Wien – Part 1 and 2, currently only available in German).
Your invention disclosure will be processed by one of our patent & licence managers.
Our support includes:
EVALUATION
- Clarifying the ownership structure (students, other universities, companies)
- Search for patent literature and market opportunities
PATENTING
- Drafting, submitting and monitoring patent application filings (in co-operation with external patent attorneys and patent offices)
EXPLOITATION
- Marketing and searching for industry and research partners
- Negotiations with corporate partners (e.g. option contracts and licence agreements)
- Support in creating spin-outs (new companies) together with i²c and inits
Possible exploitation modells are: continuing research projects, licencing, selling, company spin-outs.
The decision for one of the above models depends on multiple factors, especially on the state of development, possible applications, the interests of TU Wien, individual plans of the involved researchers and of course on the interest of potential industry partners.
Close co-operation between Research and Transfer Support and the team of inventors is a prerequisite for successful patenting and the subsequent exploitation. Researchers with their expertise and contacts play a key role here.
Research and Transfer Support provides information events and regular lectures and workshops in the field of patenting and exploitation:
- Lecture “Technology exploitation” VO 015.082 (offered in winter semester [WS] and summer semester [SS])
- New lecture "Searching prior art based on patent applications" VU 061.001 (offered in summer semester only)
- Seminar “Technology exploitation” as part of the internal training for TU Wien staff members (for dates use the website)
The lecture and seminar provide knowledge of intellectual property (IP) and how to handle it correctly, from the point of view of universities and companies. The topics include:- Protection of intellectual property
- Patent and market searches
- Exploitation options, assessment and decision
- Business development and innovation management
- Licence agreements and negotiation strategies
- Workshop on patent search
In addition to the literature search, the patent search is a key tool to avoid duplicate research, since many developments by companies are only published within the framework of patent application filings.
This workshop provides knowledge on the basics of patent searches and an introduction to patent searches with Espacenet as well as the opportunity to participate in practical exercises and hands-on searches on your own research topics at a PC.
Upcoming dates
The following course is offered in the field of company start-ups in cooperation with the start-up service i²c, opens an external URL in a new window and inits:, opens an external URL in a new window
You can also find further events offered by the WTZ Ost knowledge transfer centre in the field of intellectual property and knowledge transfer in the Events calendar of TU Wien, opens an external URL in a new window using the search term “WTZ”.
TU Wien is a strategic partner university within the Pan-European Seal Traineeship Programme., opens an external URL in a new window
Students of TU Wien with a Bachelor or Master degree can apply for a year-long (12 months), paid traineeship at the European Patent Office.
More information and details can be found at Pan-European Seal Traineeship @ TU Wien, opens an external URL in a new window
Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws, opens an external URL in a new window)
i2c, opens an external URL in a new window
INiTS (Universitäres Gründerservice Wien GmbH), opens an external URL in a new window
WTZ Ost (Österreichische Wissenstransferzentren), opens an external URL in a new window
Österreichisches Patentamt (ÖPA), opens an external URL in a new window
Europäisches Patentamt (EPO), opens an external URL in a new window
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), opens an external URL in a new window
ASTP-Proton, opens an external URL in a new window (Association of European Science and Technology Transfer Professionals)
TECNET, opens an external URL in a new window
ESPACENET, opens an external URL in a new window
DEPATISnet, opens an external URL in a new window
Google/patents, opens an external URL in a new window
United States Patent and Trademark Office, opens an external URL in a new window
LESI, opens an external URL in a new window (Licensing Executives Society International) und LES Austria, opens an external URL in a new window
TechnologieAllianz, opens an external URL in a new window - German association for knowledge and technology transfer
DI Dr. Tanja Sovic

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Head of Service Group Patent & License Management TECHNOLOGY OFFERS, opens an external URL in a new window
Telefon: +43 1 58801 41537
E-Mail Tanja Sovic
DI Heinz Gödl

© Foto Weinwurm
Patent & Licence Management
(Electrical Engineering, Computer Science)
Telefon: +43 1 58801 41536
E-Mail Heinz Gödl
DI Karin Hofmann

© Foto Weinwurm
Patent & Licence Management
(Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Engineering)
Telefon: +43 1 58801 415241
E-Mail Karin Hofmann
Mag. Dr. Angelika Valenta

© Foto Weinwurm
Patent & Licence Management
(Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering)
Telefon: +43 1 58801 41538
E-Mail Angelika Valenta
DI Dr. Hildegard Sieberth

© Foto Weinwurm
Patent & Licence Management
(Chemistry, Process Engineering)
Telefon: +43 1 58801 415243
E-Mail Hildegard Sieberth
DI Daniel Rottenberg

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Patent & Licence Management
(Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics)
Telefon: +43 1 58801 415246
E-Mail Daniel Rottenberg
DI Dr. Raphael Pruckner

© Privat
Patent & Licence Management
Tel.: +43 1 58801 415247
E-Mail Raphael Pruckner