SME Fund

Why should SMEs apply for this support?

The protection of intangible assets (inventions, commercial signs, or design) through industrial property rights is essential for the competitiveness, innovation, and economic growth of the Portuguese business fabric.

The main goal of this European Commission measure - implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) - is to allow a faster recovery of the EU economy and improve SMEs’ resilience.

This financial support enables SMEs to recognise Industrial Property as an investment, instead of a cost. It allows companies to generate revenue from these assets and to protect themselves from future infringements of their patents, trademarks, or designs.

Period for applications:
From January 22 to December 6 2024.

How does this support work?
This is a grant scheme that enables SMEs to have a partial reimbursement of the expenses incurred with applications with applications for Industrial Property (IP) pre-diagnostic service (IP Scan)/IP Scan Enforcement, trade marks, design, patents and plant varieties. In practice, once the application is accepted, the applicant will be issued vouchers that can be later activated and have a partial refund of the fees related to the selected modalities.

VOUCHER 1: IP Scan - IP pre-diagnostic audit (IP Scan) / IP Scan Enforcement
Reimbursement of 90% of the expenses incurred with the IP Scan/IP Scan Enforcement service, up to a maximum amount of 810 euros, in Portugal (in other EU Member States the reimbursement can be up to 1.350 euros).

VOUCHER 2: Trade mark and design protection in the EU (national, regional and EU levels) and outside the EU
Reimbursement of 75% (for national, regional, and EU trade mark and design applications) or 50% (for international trade mark and design applications through WIPO) of the fee amount, up to the maximum of 1.000 euros.

VOUCHER 3: National and European Patents (Temporarily unavailable for new applications)
Reimbursement of 75% of the fees (for national and European patent applications) up to a maximum of 1.500 euros and 50% of the costs incurred in drafting and filing European patent applications up to a maximum of 2.000 euros.

VOUCHER 4: Plant varieties (EU)
Reimbursement of 75% of the online filing and examination fees charged by the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), up to a maximum amount of 1.500 euros.

Do not forget that you have a limited period of 2 months (plus the option of a 2-month extension) to activate your voucher(s).

Therefore, SMEs are encouraged to apply for a voucher when they plan to implement one of the eligible activities within the next 2 months.

SME Fund 2024

The 2024 edition runs from January 22 to December 6.

Apply now

VOUCHER 1

IP Scan

This service aims to advise SMEs on the potential of IP to develop their businesses, identifying the types of IP assets that may be valuable and should be protected. They also aim to identify any IP that is already protected and that could be further exploited to gain additional benefits to support the growth of their business.

Refund of 90% of the service costs;
Services provided by experts in the field of Industrial Property designated by the INPI.

IP Scan – Enforcement

To provide SMEs with a reimbursable consultancy service and report on intellectual property (IP) enforcement-related matters where a conflict with another party already exists or there is a high risk of conflict.

VOUCHER 2

Applications for registration of national, regional, and EU trademarks and designs

The eligible Industrial Property rights are trademarks and designs filed at the Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property (INPI PT) and the EUIPO, including the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP).

Refund of 75% of the fees
Includes application, class, examination, registration, publication, and postponing publication fees
Logotype registration is included since it is covered under the Portuguese law

International applications for registration of trademarks and designs administered by WIPO

To support the growth of EU SMEs on a more international scale, eligible rates include international trademarks and designs using the systems administered by WIPO.

Refund of 50% of the fees
The fees subject to reimbursement are those charged for applications (including basic fees, designation fees and subsequent designation fees) under the international trade mark system (Madrid System) and the international design system (The Hague System)
Designation fees for an international trade mark and/or design are eligible, including EU Member States and/or EUIPO

VOUCHER 3

National and European Patents Temporarily unavailable for new applications

Reimbursement of 75% of the fees.
Includes fees for national patents applications.
Includes application and search fees for European Patents.
Reimbursement of 50% of the costs for the drafting and filing of a new European patent application. The costs for services related to the drafting and filing of new European patent applications are eligible if provided by persons or entities established in the EU and who are entitled to represent applicants in proceedings before the EPO in accordance with the European Patent Convention (EPC)