New funds by EUIPO to help SMEs protect their trademarks, designs and patents
EUIPO launches the «Ideas Powered for Business 2022» grant scheme for SMEs. A tax refund of up to €1500 for registering trademarks and designs in Italy and abroad, and a tax refund of up to €750 for obtaining national patents in EU countries 21 January 2022
The SME Fund «Ideas Powered for business» is a grant scheme designed to support the intellectual property rights of small and medium-sized enterprises in the European Union. The SME Fund is a European Commission initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and runs from 10 January 2022 until 16 December 2022.
All information on the procedure, FAQs and references to the portal for submitting the application can be found directly on the EUIPO website. If you have any questions, you can also use the online chat available at the indicated times.
Who can benefit from the initiative?
The initiative is aimed exclusively at EU SMEs and offers financial support for the protection of trade marks, designs and patents, which can be applied for by an owner, an employee or an authorised representative of an EU SME acting on its behalf. Grants are always transferred directly to the SMEs.
How is the programme structured?
The SME Fund is a reimbursement programme that issues vouchers that can be used in part to cover the fees for selected activities. Two types of vouchers are available depending on the activity in question. Each company can apply for only one Voucher 1 and one Voucher 2. The two applications can be submitted separately.
- Voucher 1 - Trade Marks & Designs: reimbursement of up to 75% of the fees for registering a trade mark/design at national level in EU countries, at EU level (EU trade mark, Community design) or at international level in non-EU countries.
- Voucher 2 - Patents: 50% reimbursement of fees for obtaining a national patent in EU countries.
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