If you are a small or medium-sized enterprise (“SME”) based in the EU and are considering protecting your IP rights (including trade marks, designs, patents and plant varieties), you should make use of the SME Fund offered by the EUIPO.
The SME Fund was launched in 2021 to empower SMEs to protect their IP rights. SMEs are companies which employ fewer than 250 people and have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million EUR.
The Fund offers financial support in the form of vouchers that the beneficiary can use to claim a reimbursement of costs for various IP-related activities. These include applications for trade marks, designs, patents and plant varieties as well as IP consultations offered by experts designated by the national IP office. Savings can be as much as 75% on IP right applications and 90% on IP consultations depending on the country or region of the applicant.
The 2024 SME Fund is now closed but be prepared to make use of SME Fund as soon as it opens in 2025.
Further information can be found on the EUIPO website.
If you have any questions or need any assistance in requesting the vouchers, we will be happy to assist you.
