The 2021 Call for Subsidies for the promotion of patent and utility model applications is now open

The Spanish Patent and Trademark Office, O.A. (OEPM) continues to promote in 2021 the use of Industrial Property by Spanish companies as a tool for accessing international markets. For this purpose, on May 10, 2021, the OEPM published in the BOE the Resolution, which calls for the granting of subsidies in a competitive competition regime for the promotion of applications for patents and utility models in Spain and abroad.

The fundamental objectives 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 available are:

• Subsidies for the extension of a patent or utility model application, before the national offices of third countries or regional patent offices, within the framework of national or regional patent or utility model granting procedures. Among other eligible items, the 2021 call includes: application procedures, search report, examination or concession, EPO annuities, and European patent validation.
• Subsidies for activities carried out within the international PCT procedure (application procedures, international search or preliminary examination).

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

• Subsidies for Spanish patent and utility model applications include: application procedures and/or report on the state of the art (IET) for patent and utility model applications and substantive examination for patent applications.

The formalization and presentation of applications must be done electronically through the Electronic Headquarters of the OEPM (https://sede.oepm.gob.es) and the period for submitting applications is from May 11 to June 10, 2021.

All the necessary additional documentation is available on the OEPM website (www.oepm.es  - Aids and subsidies - Aids for the promotion of patent applications and utility models): Help manual and Technical requirements to fill out a request for help , Frequently Asked Questions, Additional Forms, etc.