The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is a European Commission agency that plays a crucial role in protecting intellectual property within the European single market.
From its headquarters in Alicante, EUIPO administers European Union (EU) trademark and design rights, which are applicable in all Member States. This office is responsible not only for registering trademarks and designs but also for managing resources such as the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights and the Orphan Works Database. These functions place EUIPO at the centre of innovation and protection of intangible value generated by companies within the European market.
Annually, they publish a call for small and medium-sized enterprises established in the EU to access grants that help finance the costs of fees for patent, model, trademark, and design applications.
The aid is divided into Voucher 1 and Voucher 2:
Voucher 1 – for trademark and design fees where you can opt for:
- 75% reimbursement of fees at the European Union, national, or regional level.
- 50% reimbursement of fees for international trademarks.
- In any case, the maximum voucher would be 1000 euros.
Voucher 2 – for patent registration, the aids are:
- 75% reimbursement of the cost of a “Prior Art Search Report” issued by a national office.
- 75% reimbursement of fees for national protection in an EU Member State.
- 75% reimbursement of filing and search fees for European patents filed with the European Patent Office (EPO).
- 50% reimbursement of legal costs arising from the drafting and filing of European patent applications (maximum 2000 euros).
- The maximum voucher would be 3500 euros.
For this to be the case, it is important to submit the application to the SME Fund and receive the corresponding grant decision and voucher(s) before applying for your trademark. Otherwise, you will not be eligible for reimbursement.
Do you want to know how to protect your innovation at the European level, and how much budget you need? Don’t hesitate to request an informative session from the Galician Economic Office, and we will help you find the best option to protect your trademark or patent at the European level.
Main Functions of EUIPO
EUIPO is responsible for managing trademark and design rights within the EU, allowing companies to operate in all Member States with uniform protection.
Annually, EUIPO examines more than 150,000 trademark applications and 90,000 design applications. These applications undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they do not conflict with previously registered rights, such as trademarks or geographical indications.
What Should I Consider When Registering a Trademark?
First, verify its availability by checking that there are no pre-existing rights with which it could conflict, such as similar trademarks or geographical indications. Failure to do so may result in the owner of a pre-existing trademark challenging the application, which could lead to its rejection.
Next, fill out a form requesting all the information about the trademark.
What About Drawings, Designs, or Models?
It’s important to note that the success of your application depends mainly on the representation of your design. You can present up to seven perspectives, plus three unprotected perspectives, of your design. Additionally, it must be represented on a neutral background and must correspond to the product indication.
In conclusion, EUIPO offers a wide range of services to protect Intellectual Property rights throughout Europe, with specific resources for SMEs, which strengthens the legal competitiveness of companies operating in the market.
