Subsidies from a fund for SMEs to register trademarks and industrial designs

All enterprises that are registered in the EU and fall under the official definition of an SME may apply for financial support. The subsidies cover 50% of the costs related to registering trademarks and industrial designs (up to EUR 1,500 per enterprise).

The subsidies are granted from the Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund that is supported by the European Commission and the EUIPO. The total value of the program is EUR 20M. The idea is to support European small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in access to their intellectual property rights.

Applications may be filed within five windows set for 2021. The next window will open on 1 March 2021. Subsidies will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

The program is addressed primarily to companies operating in the SME sector that are considering registration of a trademark or an industrial design, both at the EU level (with the EUIPO, which covers all Member States) and domestically. The application procedure comprises three stages. First, the applicant submits an online form, attaching the documentation required to verify the status of an SME and to determine if the application may be examined. Then, after receiving an e-mail confirming that the application has been successful, the applicant submits and pays the fee on his trademark and/or industrial design. The deadline for this is 30 days from receiving the decision on being granted the subsidy. At the last stage, the applicant requests the reimbursement of costs via a link provided in the decision on being granted the subsidy.

Would you like to file an application for co-financing of the registration of your trademark or industrial design? We will help you submit the required documents and navigate through the entire process. Contact us.