In today’s world, trademark protection is crucial for every company, regardless of its size. In 2024, entrepreneurs can benefit from an attractive subsidy program that significantly reduces the costs of trademark registration.
In this article, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about the SME Fund 2024.
How much is the subsidy from the SME Fund 2024?
The SME Fund 2024 program offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive a refund of up to 75% of the fees for registering a trademark or industrial design at the EU and national levels. This is a significant relief in the registration process. For trademarks and industrial designs outside the EU, the program provides a refund of up to 50% of the fees. However, it should be remembered that the maximum refund amount is 1,000 EUR.
Who can receive funding?
The subsidy is mainly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the European Union. Various entities qualify for it, including individuals conducting business activities, various types of companies, including civil and commercial law companies. It is important to meet the criteria set by the program.
Foundations and associations in the SME Fund Program
The SME Fund program is also available to foundations and associations, but under certain conditions. It is crucial that these organizations conduct active business activities and are registered as VAT payers. Unfortunately, the grant is not available to individuals who do not conduct business activities.
Who cannot receive a grant
Individuals who do not conduct business activities, as well as foundations, associations, and universities that do not conduct business activities, cannot benefit from the subsidy. Companies, for example, that are in bankruptcy or have suspended activities, are also not eligible for the SME Fund 2024 grant.
SME Fund and other grants
If your company has already used other EU grants, it is important to check whether they concerned the same activities as the SME Fund program. This mainly concerns the protection of intellectual property, including the registration of trademarks or industrial designs. If the grants concerned other activities, you can apply for support from the SME Fund.
Do you want to get a grant?
We'll take care of it for you!
Fill out the form below. We will contact you immediately and start the procedure!
The personal data you provide will be processed for the purpose and to the extent necessary to respond to the query sent. Providing data is voluntary but necessary to respond. The administrator of your personal data is Kancelaria Prawna Kantorowski, Głąb i Wspólnicy Sp.j. You have the right to object, the right to access your data, the right to request their correction, their deletion, or the limitation of their processing. Detailed information can be found in our Privacy policy.
The possibility of re-applying for a grant
Good news for entrepreneurs who have already used grants in previous years: the SME Fund program allows for re-applying for financial support. This means that you can apply for funding for the registration of new trademarks or industrial designs.
Trademark registration refusal and subsidy
If your trademark registration application is rejected, it will not affect the granted subsidy. The SME Fund program does not condition the subsidy on the outcome of the registration process. This allows you to risk registering a mark, even if you have doubts about its acceptance.
Objections in the registration procedure and subsidies
Similarly to the case of registration refusal, objections during the registration procedure do not affect the granted subsidy. This means that even if complications arise during the procedure, the subsidy remains available to you.
Conditions for individuals not conducting business activities
The SME Fund 2024 program is aimed exclusively at entrepreneurs. This means that individuals not conducting business activities cannot benefit from this support.
Using the subsidy for official fees
The subsidy from the SME Fund program can only be used to cover official fees related to trademark registration. It should be remembered that the program does not cover costs related to legal services or other types of consulting.
Talk to an expert
Do you want to register a trademark and get a subsidy? During a free conversation, I will discuss all the formalities and advise you on the best strategy for protecting your brand.
In 2022 – 2023, all the applications I submitted ended in the granting of subsidies!
Benefits of the SME Fund program
Previous editions of the SME Fund program were very popular. In 2023, nearly 33,000 applications were registered, which indicates growing interest among small businesses in intellectual property protection. The most applications came from Spain, with Poland in second place.
Maximum grant amount
The maximum grant amount is 1,000 EUR. It is important to plan your expenses well and understand that the rest of the costs must be covered independently. It is also important that initially, the full fee must be paid, and only after about 2 weeks, 75% of the fee is refunded (up to a maximum of 1,000 EUR).
How to use the subsidy?
The application process is relatively simple, but requires accuracy. You need to submit a grant application and then go through the trademark registration procedure. Remember that it is important to adhere to deadlines and sequence, and to fill in all required documents accurately. Information about the start of the program and current requirements can be found on the EUIPO website.
Subsidy for extending protection
Unfortunately, the subsidy cannot be used for fees associated with extending trademark protection. The subsidy can only be used for new trademark or industrial design applications.
How will our cooperation proceed step by step?
If you decide to register a trademark with my help, the procedure for obtaining a subsidy and registration will look as follows:
- We determine the entity for which the grant and trademark are to be applied.
- You will receive an authorization to act on your behalf, with a request to send a signed scan.
- You send a document confirming your bank account number (certificate or statement). It is important that this document contains the data of the entity applying for the grant.
- I independently obtain the remaining documents for the application.
- I submit an application for a grant.
- We wait for the application to be reviewed, which usually takes about 2 weeks. If there are any questions or doubts from the office, I will take care of them.
- In the meantime, we determine the scope of your mark’s application, mainly the type of mark and classes.
- You receive a voucher worth 1,000 EUR.
- I register your trademark.
- You pay the full amount of official fees. You will receive from me the data for the transfer of fees, with an individually generated transfer title.
- You send confirmation of paying the official fees.
- I submit an application for a refund of 75% of the paid fee, up to a maximum of 1,000 EUR.
- Within a month, you receive a payout in EUR.
- The office continues to recognize your trademark application.
Want to start working together?
Write a message to kontakt@ochronamarki.eu or fill out the contact form.
