Artificial Intelligence (AI) is among the key technologies in digitisation. Systems and applications, on the basis of AI, are in many cases already part of our lives: computers, which process large volumes of data or industry robots that assume large loads autonomously, have become indispensable for the economy and also for science and development. As a result, the rapid development of AI presents particular challenges for property rights.
Therefore, creative solutions are necessary for start-ups and spin-offs to be able to exist among global competition. 50 experts discussed what these solutions could look like within the framework of the event for World IP Day on site, and more than 50 participants took part via live stream. The event was organised on behalf of the National Contact Point for Knowledge Transfer and Intellectual Property (NCP-IP) and this year, it took place, for the first time, in cooperation with the Federation of Austrian Industry (IV) and the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents in the House of Industry.
Innovation protection as site matter
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the event had to be postponed from April to September. Furthermore, the representatives of the ministries and the host, aws Managing Director Edeltraud Stiftinger, and IV General Secretary Christoph Neumayer, looked particularly happy that the exchange was able to take place subject to special precautionary measures and as a combination of an attended event and an online one.
“The event for World IP Day and the discussions which took place here provide important contributions for the Austrian innovation site. As a result, the event is an important platform this year to discuss current challenges and to point out the significance of intellectual property, in particular in conjunction with the economical and social use of academic research results”, says Barbara Weitgruber, Head of Department at the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of Austria (BMBWF).
Head of Department at the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs of Austria (BMDW), Florian Frauscher, also refers to the economical significance of innovation protection: “Innovative ideas are crucial in global competition. This is particularly evident, when applicable, in ideally re-establishing yourself after the pandemic. In addition, Austria is counting on key technologies, like artificial intelligence. The innovations within this field must therefore be particularly protected and used.”
Master the crisis with property rights
The hosts also reference the significance of the event: “Innovation protection is more topical than ever in the current situation. As a result of supporting many enterprises, we know that innovative companies can not only withstand difficult situations better, however they can also subsequently get started quicker again. Despite this, according to the European Commission, only 9 percent of all European SMEs are protecting their intellectual property. It is therefore more important to clearly demonstrate economic opportunity and to develop corresponding protection strategies with the enterprises”, says aws Manager Edeltraud Stiftinger.
IV General Secretary Christoph Neymayer: “As the Federation of Austrian Industry, our objective is to establish the location of Austria for post-Covid as both strong and competitive. To do this, it now needs a technology offensive for the direct funding of applied research to generate the necessary boost forwards, to develop the technology skills and future technologies, and to be able to emerge strengthened from the crisis. In doing this, the protection of intellectual property plays an important role for Austria to be among the global players in the Research, Technology and Innovation sector.”
Patent Office President Mariana Karepova highlights the uncertainties at universities and within enterprises. Particularly for start-ups when dealing with the ideal utilisation of their AI innovations. In doing so, the property rights play an important role: “It is important to known where there are opportunities and where the boundaries for patent registration lie with artificial intelligence. Can I patent my innovative algorithms for machine learning? Can I protect my training data or training procedures? What other options are there for patent protection? These are questions that we are asked only a daily basis at the Patent Office. A significant part of their success is often dependent on the marketing and use of good AI innovations which emerge in Austria”.
Top-class key notes for different aspects of AI
The key notes highlighted the significance of property rights this year from very different perspectives. Additionally, Richard Ljuhar reported on the introduction of AI by Clemens Wasner, founder and CEO of Enlite AI, his experiences as a founder of start-up Image Biopsy Lab. The software of the enterprise analyses with the help of AI X-ray images and, as a result, was able to generate international successes. Lastly, a branch was also founded in the US. Patent Attorney, Michael Stadler, from Wildhack & Jellinek Patentanwälte OG, also provided an overview of the current developments in the innovation protection of software. The event was rounded off with a top-class discussion on opportunities and challenges of new technologies for start-ups and spin-offs.
About NCP-IP (www.ncp-ip.at)
Functioning IP strategies contribute decisively to the circulation of knowledge and technology between universities, public research facilities and enterprises, thus contributing to the quick translation of research results to the economy. Regular exchange, which is guaranteed by the National contact point for knowledge transfer and intellectual property (NCP-IP) with events, among other things, is crucial to this.
With the objective to support, coordinate and professionalise knowledge transfer at a national level, the Austrian federal government set up the NCP-IP in 2010. The national contact point is operated on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of Austria (BMBWF), the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) and the Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK). The operative implementation is performed by aws and FFG. The protection and utilisation of intellectual property rights, particularly in economical challenging phases, are crucial to the success of the Austrian research and economical location. The fact that this qualitative exchange is already occurring is, alongside the enterprises and research facilities’ commitment, also shown in the successful work of the NCP-IP. The events, as well as the tools and NCP-IP contract samples made available are very well received by the enterprises.
More information:
- Open Innovation Toolbox: www.ncp-ip.at/projekte/open-innovation or www.fair-open-innovation.at
- Technology transfer-relevant contract samples: www.ncp-ip.at/projekte/ipag or www.ipag.at
- The Open Innovation strategy of federal government: www.openinnovation.gv.at
About Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws)
The Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws) is the promotional bank of the federal government. With the awarding of lower interest rate credit, guarantees, grants and equity capital, it support enterprises from the first idea, through to market success in the implementation of their innovative projects. aws also provides advice and support for the protection and use of intellectual property. Additionally, specific information, consultation, service provisions are offered for prospective, existing and expanding enterprises.