Free support measure (funding) for the protection of intellectual property
Starting from 11 January, Estonian small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to apply for a 50% refund of the basic fee for their trademark or design application.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 99% of all businesses in the EU. Only about 9% of SMEs have registered their intellectual property rights. The SME Fund was set up as a joint action between the European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to support SMEs in enforcing their intellectual property rights. It complements the many activities developed by EUIPO under the “Ideas Powered for Business” brand, which aims to support SMEs.
In 2021, SMEs considering registering a trademark or design at EU or national level will be able to claim a 50% refund of the trademark or design application fee.
Applications for support can be submitted from 11 January. During 2021, there will be a total of five application periods:
first application period 11 January to 31 January,
second application period 1 March to 31 March,
third application period 1 May to 31 May,
fourth application period 1 July to 31 July,
fifth application period 1 September – 30 September.
The purpose of the fund, co-financed by EUIPO and the European Commission, is to help companies operating in the European Union to protect their intellectual property rights and thereby promote their business.
The application process consists of three stages. More information on the support fund, requirements and timetable can be found at “Ideas Powered for Business” homepage at https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/online-services/sme-fund
In addition, EUIPO provides free personalized intellectual property support. To do this, fill in the application on their website: https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/online-services/ip-support. You will be contacted after completing the application. For example, you can ask for help resolving intellectual property disputes. To this end, EUIPO provides an EDR service. EDR means resolving disputes through the most effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism possible, and includes mediation, conciliation, negotiation assistance and expert decisions, and offers you the right solution. However, you can also get help with other issues, after which EUIPO can contact you with providers of free intellectual property advice.
Did you know?
Free advice on intellectual property can also be obtained from the EU IP helpdesk at https://www.iprhelpdesk.eu/. There is a lot of useful intellectual property information material on the website and webinar information.
Whereas Enterprise Estonia (EAS) offers various intellectual property services, such as strategic consulting and diagnostics of the company’s intellectual property strategy. Enterprise Estonia has created a series of online trainings that provide basic knowledge about intellectual property and its protection. For further information please visit: https://www.eas.ee/teenus/intellektuaalomandi-teenused/