• The SPTO 2015 Activities Report is now available
• New grants to promote applications for Patents and Utility Modelss
• Digital creativity: culture reimagined
• Course on Industrial Property Administration (Paralegals)
• The Spanish delegation obtains 6 medals in the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva

New grants to promote applications for Patents and Utility Models

This year, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (SPTO) is continuing to promote the use of Industrial Property as a tool that can help Spanish businesses enter international markets. In the Official State Bulletin of 31 March 2016 it published an extract from the SPTO Resolution announcing grants this year for the promotion of Patent and Utility Model applications in Spain and abroad. This Resolution is available from both the National Subsidy Data Base and the SPTO website. The two basic objectives of such aid are:

• To promote international protection of technology by means of Patents or Utility Models, and to boost the competitiveness of private sector entities that are prospecting for markets outside Spain.
• To promote the protection of national inventions by SMEs and individuals by means of Patents or Utility Models.

The aid comprises:

• Grants for extending a Patent or Utility Model application to national offices in third countries or corresponding regional offices, within the framework of procedures for the granting of national or regional Patents or Utility Models. Amongst other concepts eligible for subsidies in 2016 are: application formalities, search, examination or granting reports, annual EPO fees and European patent validation.
• Grants for activities performed within the international PCT procedure (application formalities, international searches or preliminary examinations).
• Grants for Spanish Patent and Utility Model applications (application formalities and/or search reports (IET)).

Grants applications must be submitted telematically via the SPTO
e-Office between 1 and 30 April 2016. Any additional documentation needed (Help Manual, technical requirements for filling in an application for aid, FAQ, additional forms, etc.) can be obtained from the SPTO website.