yes. Prior to patent grant/rejection, the patent type can be converted from utility model to invention at the request of the applicant. Can only be converted once.
yes
yes
yes. If multiple designs have at least one of the same category, a maximum of 50 designs can be included in one design.
1 month
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
- Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: within 3 months from the date of grant of the European patent.
The initial protection is 5 years, which can be renewed 4 times for a maximum protection of 25 years.
Austrian Patent Office
English: Austrian Patent Office, abbreviation: ATPO
Website: Home | Das Österreichische Patentamt
Austrian Utility Model Patent Search: National Patents Search (patentamt.at)
10 years
ATPO conducts formality examination only for utility model patent applications. Although ATPO searches utility model patent applications, the search results do not affect the grant results. The applicant may amend the patent application after receiving the search report.
11 months. If an expedited request is made, granted can be obtained in about 3-4 months.