« Ideas Powered for business » – Financial support to SMEs for trademarks, designs and patents

This year again, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has launched its grant scheme designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are defined according to the following criteria: fewer than 250 employees, less than EUR 50 million in turnover and an annual balance sheet total of less than EUR 43 million.

The terms and conditions of the SME Fund running until 16 December 2022 have somewhat changed compared to the previous year.

For a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) established in the European Union, it is now possible to be granted a voucher of EUR 1500 to cover 75% of the trademark and/or design fees at national or regional level within the EU, 50% of the non-EU trademark and design fees filed via the Madrid or Hague system (i.e. international trademarks and designs), as well as a voucher of EUR 750 to cover 50% of the fees for national patents.

Since the available funds are limited, applications first received by the EUIPO will be given priority.

The process is made of 4 steps:

  • Submit the application for obtaining a grant
  • Obtain the grant award notification from the EUIPO and the corresponding voucher
  • Request and pay for the IP activities that may be reimbursed
  • Apply for reimbursement

While applying for such a grant, you should be aware that you will have to wait before proceeding to the IP activities (filings, payment of fees etc.), possibly for several weeks, in order to obtain the grant award for reimbursement from the EUIPO.

Our firm will be pleased to assist you with all the administrative steps which are required for this grant application.

Documents to be provided are as follows:

a. Your company’s VAT certificate

b. Bank statement of the company containing the name of the company, the complete IBAN number with the country code and BIC/SWIFT code

c. Signed “Declaration of honour” enabling us to represent you in this procedure

Do not hesitate to contact us for any further information on this grant scheme.

Nathalie Cailteux

EPO 2022 fee increases

The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced a rise in many of its official fees (EPO Official Journal). The timing is in line with previous fee increases taking place biennially; most of the affected fees are increased by around 3%.

The new rates will apply to official fees paid on or after 1st April 2022 and so for some fees where the applicant has a choice over the timing of payment, savings may be made by proceeding before April.

Consider anticipating payments

We would particularly recommend clients to consider the savings that can be made by anticipating payments for:

Renewal fees: fall due on the last day of the month containing the anniversary of the date of filing of the European patent application. The payment can be made 6 months in advance in respect of the third year and 3 months in advance for the other years.

EPO regional phase: consider anticipating the fee payments in respect of pending PCT applications. It should be kept in mind that without an explicit request for early processing, the EPO will wait until the 31-month period has expired to process the international application. Accordingly, the payments can be made early without actually anticipating the prosecution of the application.

Divisional applications: make a decision on the opportunity of filing a divisional application before April and save on filing and search fees as well as on the (often many) back renewal fees due for the divisional application.

For more information on the increase in fees, and to discuss your options in filing early to save costs, please get in touch with your usual Office Freylinger attorney, or contact us here.

Philippe Ocvirk