Refunds for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are available again

26 / 1 / 2024

The SME Fund is a European Commission initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and will run from 22 January 2024 to 06 December 2024. However, the SME Fund 2024 has limited funds, and if the funds are exhausted, applications will be closed before the indicated date.
The SME Fund provides financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the European Union (EU) for the protection of their intellectual property (IP) rights. SMEs can apply for vouchers that will provide access to refunds of up to 75% of the official application fees for trademarks, designs, patents, and plant varieties, directly credited to the bank account.

Owners, authorised employees or external representatives can apply.

SMEs represent 99% of all businesses in the EU. The definition of an SME is important for access to finance and EU support programmes targeted specifically at these enterprises.

Within the SME category, a medium enterprise is defined as an enterprise which employs fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million.

A small enterprise is defined as an enterprise which employs fewer than 50 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million.

A microenterprise is defined as an enterprise which employs fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million.

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The Eurasian Patent Office increases the official fees on January 1, 2024

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The amendments will result in a 20-25% increase of the official fees for various actions:

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