Unlocking Opportunities: Spain's SME Fund to Boost IP Protection for Small and Medium Enterprises

The SME Fund, officially known as the "Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund," was launched by the European Commission and is implemented through the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). This funding initiative aims to provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the European Union to help protect their intellectual property (IP). The program includes issuing bonds and offers partial support for costs related to trademarks, designs, patents, and plant varieties. Spanish SMEs, as small and medium-sized enterprises within the EU, are eligible for the fee reduction benefits offered by the EU's SME.

Spainish Trademarks:

• SMEs can request a 75% reduction in EU trademark application fees, EU design application fees, additional application fees, as well as examination, registration, publication, and deferred publication fees.
• SMEs can request a 75% reduction in national and regional trademark and design application fees, additional class fees, and examination, registration, publication, and deferred announcement fees.
• SMEs can request a 50% reduction in trademark and design application fees outside the EU, including additional class fees, and examination, registration, publication, and deferred announcement fees.

Spainish Patents:

• SMEs can request a 75% reduction in the existing technology search fee.
• SMEs can request a 75% reduction in the application, search, examination, grant, and publication fees within the EU member states.
  SMEs can request a 75% reduction in European patent application and search fees.
• SMEs can request a 50% reduction in the costs of drafting and submitting a European patent application, up to a maximum of €2,000 (depending on circumstances).
• SMEs can request a 75% reduction in EU patent application and examination fees.

(Image sourced from the website of the SPTO)