shutterstock_1242248413_tum3123
29 September 2020CopyrightSarah Morgan

EUIPO signs agreement to support digital SMEs

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has signed another agreement with a representative of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, as it continues to promote the importance of IP rights among small businesses.

Today, September 28, the EUIPO announced that it had signed a collaboration with the European Digital SME Alliance to develop and implement joint initiatives to support SMEs.

The European Digital SME Alliance represents the interests of about 2,000 SMEs in the field of information technology and is a shared effort of 28 national and regional SME associations from across Europe.

“The agreement between the EUIPO and the European Digital SME Alliance aims to generate a positive change of mindset of the digital SMEs towards IP. Innovation is the cornerstone of most digital SMEs; hence the importance of promoting the benefits of protecting innovation assets as intellectual property rights (patents, designs, trade secrets, etc) among these enterprises,” said the office.

The collaboration will include a set of training initiatives including webinars and training modules, and the co-design of a guide for SMEs to stimulate IP knowledge.

Earlier this month, WIPR  reported that the office had signed an agreement with EBAN, the Europe leading early-stage investors network. This will cover activities such as promoting the protection of innovation and creativity among SMEs and start-ups, training on IP, and participation in IP-related events.

The office has also united with Accountancy Europe (which consists of 51 professional organisations from 35 countries that represent one million qualified accountants, auditors and advisors).

“These professionals, in direct contact with SMEs all over Europe, are in an ideal position to promote the importance of IP rights ... at the right moment in the SME business lifecycle,” added the office.

The spate of collaborations follows the EUIPO’s launch of its Ideas Powered for business hub in July, as part of its Strategic Plan 2025. It provides IP information for SMEs and offers them the opportunity to sign up for free personalised legal advice concerning their IP queries.

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox

Today’s top stories

Warner Bros triumphs in Westworld trademark battle at EUIPO

Alibaba launches advisory committee to strengthen SME IP protection

Sisvel and Swiss tech company resolve patent antitrust dispute

Already registered?

Login to your account

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

article
22 September 2020   The European Union Intellectual Property Office has signed an agreement with EBAN, the Europe leading early-stage investors network, to promote and support the IP rights of small and medium enterprises.
Copyright
5 May 2020   The Licensing Executives Society International has launched three new guides for businesses looking to monetise their IP.