Are you protecting the intellectual assets of your business with intellectual property rights? To support you, the pre-diagnostic IP services of the SME Fund from EUIPO stand as an attractive opportunity. Also, basic application fees for trade mark and/or design can be reimbursed up to 50 percent.
For an SME, intellectual assets, known as intellectual property (IP), can be an important part of its intrinsic value. It may cover, for instance, original know-how, specific knowledge, trademarks or designs, unique ideas or methods applied to your business solutions and products.
Being aware of what can be protected and implementing its protection may significantly contribute to both generating and sustaining company revenue.
As evidence of this, it should be noted that the economic benefits of IP rights were highlighted in a recent study lead by the EUIPO and the EPO. Its key findings can be summarized as follows:
- European companies that own intellectual property rights have, on average, 20% more revenue per employee than those that do not;
- Companies with IP rights also pay their employees higher salaries (+19%);
- Only 9% of European SMEs hold a patent, registered design or trademark, compared to almost 60% of large companies.
Therefore, the aim of the IP scan, supported by the SME Fund, is to identify valuable intellectual assets and to define an effective protection strategy.
IP services
In practice, the IP scan (called Service 1) is accessible to Belgian SMEs since 1May. And 75% of the cost of this service may be refunded.
Additionally, Service 2 of this programme remains accessible and offers up to 50% discount on the basic rates for applications for trademarks and designs.
Both services may be requested to EUIPO within so-called time windows, open during the months of May, July and September 2021.
For more information on these services: https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/online-services/sme-fund
To submit an application: https://euipo.europa.eu/cosme/form/sme-fund
The IP experts of the Sirris Patent Cell are also part of the implementation of Service 1, through the FPS Economy. They will gladly answer your questions.
