Subsidies for the promotion of patent and utility model applications. Open Call 2020

In 2020, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, O.A. (OEPM) continues to promote the use of Industrial Property by Spanish companies as a tool for accessing international markets. For this reason, we have published in the BOE, the Official State Gazette, as of September 9, 2020 an extract of the Open Call for subsidies for the promotion of applications for patents and utility models in Spain and abroad.

The fundamental goals of these grants are:

• Stimulate the international protection of technology through patents or utility models, as well as contribute to improving the competitiveness of those private sector entities that have undertaken the search for markets outside of Spain.
• Promote the protection of national inventions of SMEs and individuals through patents or utility models.

The grants that are called for are:

• Subsidies for the extension of a patent or utility model application, before the national offices of third-party countries or regional patent offices, within the framework of national or regional patent or utility model granting procedures. Among other eligible items, the 2020 Open call includes application procedures, search reports, examination or concessions, EPO Renewal fees, and European patent validation.
• Subsidies for activities carried out within the international PCT procedure (application procedures, international searches, or preliminary examinations).

Unlike the previous calls, this call does not subsidize the costs of translation into the language of the country in which the protection of the patent or utility model is carried out.

• Subsidies for Spanish patent and utility model applications: application procedures for patent and utility model applications, State-of-the-Art Report (IET) for patent applications, and substantive examination for patent applications.

The formalization and presentation of applications must be carried out electronically through the OEPM Electronic Headquarters (https://sede.oepm.gob.es ) and the registration period for submitting applications is from September 10, 2020 to October 9, 2020.

More information

Access to the OEPM website: Grants and Subsidies 2020

Extract of the Resolution of 2020 Open Call for subsidies (BOE nº 241 of September 9, 2020)