Intellectual property (IP) is a key driver for economic growth as it helps companies gain value from their intangible assets (brands, designs, patents and data).
Intellectual property rights (IPR) play a crucial role in scaling up green innovation while building a business case for clean tech, and fostering also a sustainable digital transformation. To scale up and attract investment, SMEs need to protect their intangible assets with a flexible intellectual property toolbox.
Hence, new rules, proposed by the Commission a few days ago, will complement the Unitary Patent system, which will enter into force on 1 June 2023. In order to help companies make the most of their inventions, this new powerful tool for European companies, and especially SMEs, will create a one-stop-shop for patent protection and enforcement in the EU. It will provide uniform protection across all participating countries on a one-stop-shop basis, providing huge cost advantages and reducing administrative burdens.
These patent initiatives tackle the following key areas:
- Standard Essential Patents
- Compulsory Licensing
- Supplementary Protection Certificates
The 2023 SME Fund
To further support innovation, the 2023 SME Fund makes available new vouchers services concerning European patents and new plant varieties, allowing SMEs to save up to €1,500 on their patent registration costs and €225 on the registration of new plant varieties per application.
Launched in January this year, with a budget of €60,1 million, the aim of the 2023 SME Fund is to support SMEs to better manage their IP portfolios, in view of helping them accelerate their green and digital transitions, as well as support their overall recovery from recent crises like COVID-19 and the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As an EU SME, you can get reimbursed:
- 90% of the fees charged by EU countries for IP Scan services
- 75% of the fees charged by intellectual property offices for trademark and design registration
- 50% of the fees charged by the World Intellectual Property Office for obtaining international trademark and design protection
- 75% of the fees charged by national patent offices and the European Patent Office for the registration of patents
- 50% of the application fees charged by the Community Plant Variety Office for the registration of new plant varieties
Next steps
Get more info on the 2023 SME Fund and apply for reimbursement here. Contact us for any questions you might have on IP!
Find out why IP matters in your entrepreneurial journey and the available support you can get for your IP exploitation at our ‘No (I)P-AIN, NO GAIN!’ event on 6 June 2023. Register here.
Not available on that date? Schedule a meeting with our team of experts now.
