Authors: Štěpán Štarha, Róbert Gašparovič, Petra Kováčechová

Like last year, SMEs can receive financial assistance from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in 2024. The grant scheme provides the opportunity to protect your brand, designs or innovations using the EUIPO’s financial support of up to EUR 6,720.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for the grant to finance their costs of registering trademarks, designs, and patents. IP Scan and IP Scan Enforcement services now qualify for funding from the scheme. These services include IP diagnostics and assistance with the protection of IP rights in case they are being infringed.

However, grant funds are limited and will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. We therefore recommend that you apply for the grant as soon as possible.

Who is eligible?

All SMEs based in the European Union with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million are eligible to apply for support from the grant scheme.

What is the amount of the grant?

Depending on the type of protection, the grant is as follows:

1. up to a maximum of EUR 720 for IP Scan and IP Scan Enforcement services provided by an expert assigned by the national authority;
2. up to a maximum of EUR 1,000 for the registration of a trademark or design at national, regional and/or European level;
3. up to a maximum of EUR 3,500 for the registration of a national or European patent;
4. up to a maximum of EUR 1,500 for the registration of community plant varieties for their protection in the EU.

The maximum amount of costs that can be reimbursed under the EUIPO grant scheme is:

a) 90% of the fees for:

• IP Scan and IP Scan Enforcement services;

b) 75% of the fees for:

• a (national, regional or European) trademark or design application, including additional fees for other classes for trademarks and designs;
• an EU or national patent application;
• an online application for community plant variety rights (EU level); and

c) 50% of the fees for:

• an application for an international trademark or design;
• drafting and filing a European patent through a lawyer, up to a maximum of EUR 2,000.

Applying for and redeeming a grant voucher

Grants may be applied for until 6 December 2024. If the applicant qualifies for the grant and there are still funds available, the EUIPO will issue a voucher to be used by the applicant to request the relevant services, e.g. to file a trademark application.

Please note that services may only be requested once the grant application has been approved and before two months lapse from the approval, subject to a possible extension for an additional two months. This means that the grant may not be used for costs incurred for a trademark or design application filed before receiving the grant decision.

After filing a trademark, design or patent application and paying the relevant administrative fee, the grant applicant may apply for reimbursement of costs.

Conclusion

The EUIPO grant is an interesting opportunity for SMEs to strengthen the protection of their intellectual property. Businesses can benefit from the EUIPO’s support in building their portfolio, expanding to foreign markets and/or rebranding.

This year marks the first time that businesses in Slovakia may also use the grant for IP Scan and IP Scan Enforcement services, through which the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic will provide the applicant with contact details of an IP expert for a comprehensive review of the applicant’s business model, products, services, and future strategies.

We have also stressed on our blog on several occasions on who crucial IP protection is, discussing, among other things, the importance and registrability of trademarks, such as HERE.

If you decide to use the EUIPO grant, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to assist you.