OEPM grant programme
During 2012, the OEPM allocated 3,991,508.43 euros to the programme of grants for protecting Spanish innovations abroad, 14% more than the year before. However, the granting and payment of such funds to bodies that form part of, or are linked to, the Administration of the Spanish Autonomous Communities are dependent on a favourable report from the Ministry of the Treasury and Public Administrations, in compliance with Article 20.3 of Organic Law 2/2012 of 27 April on Budgetary Stability and Financial Sustainability.
Such subsidies, which have existed since 2006, allow Spanish firms and institutions to overcome the main barriers for protecting their innovations in other countries. For individuals, up to 90% of taxes and translations are subsidised and, for other applicants (large corporations, foundations, State agencies, etc.), up to 80%.
This year, 945 subsidies were granted (21% more than in 2011), corresponding to 3,054 inventions. The breakdown by type of beneficiary was as follows: SMEs 38%, large corporations 35%, individuals 14%, private foundations 2.5%, State agencies 1.5%, with the remaining 9% going to other types of applicant.
Breakdown by Autonomous Community
The breakdown by Autonomous Community for the number of applicants and the percentages subsidised is as follows:
Autonomous Community |
No. of applicants (%) |
Percentages of total amount granted (%) |
Catalonia |
29.76% |
33.03% |
Community of Madrid |
15.36% |
18.74% |
Basque Country |
14.03% |
13.57% |
Valencian Community |
11.85% |
8.86% |
Andalusia |
6.54% |
6.57% |
Navarran Community |
4.08% |
4.11% |
Galicia |
3.22% |
3.17% |
Principality of Asturias |
1.14% |
1.36% |
Aragon |
3.60% |
2.62% |
Castile-La Mancha |
1.23% |
2.02% |
Castile-León |
2.65% |
1.60% |
Canaries |
0.38% |
0.35% |
Region of Murcia |
2.84% |
1.80% |
Balearic Islands |
1.33% |
1.07% |
Cantabria |
1.14% |
0.58% |
La Rioja |
0.66% |
0.26% |
Extremadura |
0.19% |
0.30% |
The table shows that Catalonia is in the lead with 33% of subsidies, followed by Madrid, the Basque Country and the Valencian Community.
18.5% of applicants used the European Patent System for their inventions, followed by 11% who used the PCT International Patent System to protect their inventions in different countries of the world. 8% extended protection to the United States, 4% to China and Brazil and 3.5% to Japan.
Breakdown by sector
Breakdown by technological sector was as follows:
- Medical or veterinary science (11%) and organic chemistry (7%)
- 4%: in metrology, testing; aircraft, aviation, astronautics; building; electrical communication techniques; basic electrical elements and biochemistry, microbiology, enzymology, alcoholic beverages
- 3%: transport, packaging and warehousing; vehicles in general; technology and thermal insulation; heating and ventilation; work with plastics and furnishings, domestic objects.
Others
Applications for Spanish patents and utility models were subsidised this year for the third time, provided that the applicant was an individual or an SME. 324 subsidies were granted (8% more than in 2011), amounting to 142,450.56 euros, 15% less than the previous year.
Up to 90% of application fees for utility models are subsidised. For patents, up to 90% of application fees and search report fees are subsidised, providing that the applications are published during a specific period, and only for first filings.
The breakdown by type of beneficiary of aid shows that 55% went to SMEs, and 45% to individuals. By Autonomous Community, Catalonia was in the leading position, receiving 36% of the aid, followed by the Basque Country, the Community of Madrid and Andalusia.
Regarding the technological sectors involved, the breakdown was as follows: Medical or veterinary science 8%, Furnishings and domestic objects 8%, Transport, packaging 7%, Building 6%, Technological elements, insulation 4%, Food 3%, Sports, Games 3%, and Heating and ventilation 3%.
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