Webinar Ideas Powered for Business - IPR – SMEs Strategic Assets

In partnership with EUIPO, the Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) put together on May 20^th the webinar ‘Ideas Powered for Business – Industrial Property Rights – Strategic Assets for SMEs’, under the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The webinar had the participation of experts from both Institutes and was attended by 200 participants, with nearly 300 registrations. It focused on important Industrial Property initiatives aimed at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, more specifically EUIPO’s SME Fund.

This 20-million Euro grant scheme was launched in December 2020 and provides vouchers to help European Union-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to protect and benefit from their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

According to the established criteria, only applications that respect the rules laid down by the EUIPO will be eligible. Any application for Trademark or Design registration can only benefit from this financial support in case the SME has previously submitted its application, using the proper grant application form on the course of one of the windows for submission of applications. Thus, SMEs must firstly apply for the Fund, and only after obtaining EUIPO’s approval should they submit the trademark/design application to INPI or EUIPO.

Requirements, calendar and other relevant information for this initiative are available at the ‘Ideas Powered for Business’ platform.

As from May 1^st, SMEs can apply for the 3^rd financing window of the European SME Fund, which should close on May 31^st, 2021. Accessible to companies that fall within the official definition of SME, this program offers financial support in the form of reimbursements for up to a maximum amount of € 1,500 per business.

For further information, please contact INPI through the e-mail comunicacao@inpi.pt.