Inventions are new solutions to technical problems and societal challenges, distinct from discoveries like findings in X-ray images or new species. Inventions made by University of Vienna staff are considered employee inventions under Austrian patent law (§ 7 Abs. 3 Austrian Patent Law). The university has the right to claim and exploit these inventions (§ 106 University Act). It’s the aim of the university to develop a successful valorisation strategy in close collaboration with the inventors.

What happens when there is an invention?

• contact the Technology Transfer Office for professional guidance and further steps
• employees of the University of Vienna must report inventions to the Technology Transfer Office immediately using the invention disclosure form
• the university has a three-month period following the disclosure of the invention to evaluateits exploitation potential and patentability. Based on this evaluation, the university will decide whether to claim ownership of the invention and whether to file a patent application 
• during the evaluation period and, in case the invention has been claimed, until a patent application is potentially filed, the invention must be kept confidential and may not be disclosed publicly (including in lectures and publications) 

Students without an employment contract have an option to transfer their share of the invention to the University and benefit from the support services of Technology Transfer Office.