2024 opens with new opportunities for Italian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises thanks to the Patents+, Trademark+ and Disegni+ calls, designed to encourage the enhancement of industrial property. With the publication of the Decree of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) in the Official Gazette, the process for the provision of resources for innovative companies begins.
In this article, we offer you a detailed guide on what Patents+, Trademark+ and Designs+ calls are, how they work and what’s new for 2024.
What Are Patents+, Trademarks+ and Designs+ Calls?
The Patents+, Marchi+ and Disegni+ calls are public tools intended to provide economic contributions to companies that aim to develop and protect their intellectual property. These calls are aimed at Italian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and aim to encourage the registration and enhancement of patents, trademarks and designs, encouraging technological innovation and
competitiveness.
For 2024, MIMIT has allocated a total of 32 million euros divided between the three calls:
- 20 million euros for Patentti+
- 10 million euros for Drawings+
- 2 million euros for Marchi+
Call for Trademarks + 2024
The Trademark+ Call supports companies in the protection of trademarks abroad, through contributions intended to cover the expenses for the design and registration of trademarks.
Who is it for
The Trademark+ call is aimed at Italian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that own brands, as defined by Regulation (EU) n. 651/2014.
What does it finance
The Trademark+ 2024 Call finances trademark registration services at:
- EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) for registrations in the European Union.
- WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) for international registrations.
The available funds amount to 2 million euros and finance the expenses related to specialized services for the registration of trademarks.
Call for Patents+ 2024
The Patent+ Call aims to support companies in the economic enhancement of patented technologies, encouraging the growth of profitability and the development of new products and markets.
Who is it for
The Brevetti+ incentive is reserved for Italian SMEs, even if they are newly established, with:
- Patents for industrial inventions
- Exclusive licenses for patents registered at the UIBM
- National or international patent applications filed with research reports with a “non-negative” result
What does it finance
With 20 million euros available, Brevetti+ finances up to 80% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of 140,000 euros for each project. For companies that collaborate with public bodies such as universities and research centers, coverage can reach up to 100% of the costs. Financiable expenses include:
- Industrialization and engineering
- Organizational development
- Technology transfer
Call for Drawings+ 2024
The Disegni+ Call aims to support companies in the enhancement of designs and models, promoting the production of new products and the commercialization of registered designs.
Who is it for
Italian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with operational headquarters in the national territory, in good standing from a fiscal and judicial point of view, that are the owners of a design or model registered as of January 1, 2024, can participate in the Disegni+ call.
What does it finance
For 2024, MIMIT has allocated 10 million euros. The maximum contribution for each project is 60,000 euros. The concessions are aimed at the purchase of external specialized services that favor the production and marketing of products related to registered
designs.
How to Apply
At the moment, the calls for 2024 have not yet been published, so the exact procedures for submitting the application have not been made available.
However, compared to previous editions, the management of the procedures for calls will pass from the DGPI-UIBM to the DGIAI at the Department of Business Policies.
When the calls are officially published, it will be possible to follow an online procedure through dedicated ministerial platforms. Applications must be completed and sent in the manner and at the times indicated in the specific announcement
.
The Patents+, Marchi+ and Disegni+ 2024 calls represent a great opportunity for Italian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that want to enhance their intellectual property. With a total of 32 million euros available, these calls offer concrete support for the registration of patents, trademarks and designs, helping to encourage technological innovation and the competitiveness
of Italian companies.