Created: 2025.12.01. 09:57
The National Intellectual Property Office (SZTNH) and Széchenyi István University have long worked together to ensure that research outcomes developed at the institution can progress to practical application. The previous framework agreement supported the work of lecturers and researchers in numerous areas, yet experience showed that processes related to intellectual property protection could still be accelerated.
On 21 November, the parties renewed and expanded their partnership. Under the updated agreement, the SZTNH will continue to support the University in several fields—for example, by providing speakers and mentors for innovation programmes, and by helping to promote knowledge of intellectual property protection. A new element is that the Office will grant the institution access to the so-called “patent fast track”. Through novelty searches and early assessments of patentability, the service assists in identifying promising technical solutions and in developing an appropriate patent strategy. This makes it quicker and easier to assess whether an invention is worth patenting.
“We see that universities—Hungary’s largest research bases—face a major challenge in reconciling publication and patenting requirements. Academic publications are essential for international rankings and for researchers’ career progression, yet premature disclosure can easily compromise novelty in a future patent procedure. The fast track is designed precisely to help with this: by providing an early patentability assessment, we offer reliable information within two months, enabling institutions to decide safely about publication. We consider it important to spread the conscious practice of filing first, and only publishing thereafter. In addition, the service also means cost savings for universities, as at this stage of the process there is no need to prepare a full patent specification,” said Szabolcs Farkas, President of the SZTNH, at the signing ceremony.
“From a strategic perspective, our institution aims for research and development results to enter the utilisation process with sound industrial property foundations and professional support. Our cooperation with the National Intellectual Property Office is a key pillar of this. Thanks to the new agreement, our researchers can reach the decision points of patenting more quickly, substantially strengthening the competitiveness of the University’s innovation ecosystem,” emphasised Dr Zsolt Kovács, Vice-President for General and Educational Affairs at SZE.
Following the signing, Dr Zsolt Kohus, Head of the Centre for Rankings and Publications Management, noted that Uni Inno Ltd., established for knowledge transfer, plays a key role in managing the Institution’s intellectual assets. The company’s responsibilities include supporting licensing and spin-off activities, strengthening industrial relations, and facilitating the commercialisation of intellectual works. He added that the success of this work is shown by the fact that the number of intellectual assets received increased two-and-a-half-fold between 2023 and 2025, with patent applications doubling within this figure.
