The importance of intellectual property for European innovative entrepreneurs
Intellectual property (IP) refers to human creations – everything from artwork and inventions to computer programs and commercial signs. It plays a crucial role when an entrepreneur decides to innovate or launch a product or service on the market.
IP is a mechanism that allows companies to share their solutions and reach agreements with other organisations without risking unauthorised exploitation. It can also be a source of direct income through IP owners selling or licensing their IP rights, as well as providing additional business advantages, such as improving the likelihood of a startup receiving funding or investment.
The joint study on patents, trade marks and startup finance by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Patent Office found that, in seed or early growth stages, startups are 4.3 times more likely to secure subsequent venture capital funding by filing trade marks and 6.4 times more likely to secure funding by filing patents. To learn how to unlock the potential of innovation and IP, see this Ideas Powered for business Talk, created with the EBN (European Business and Innovation Centre Network).
Common types of IP rights
Trade marks protect the commercial identity of products and services. They have an unlimited duration provided they are renewed every 10 years.
Designs protect a product’s appearance. Protection lasts up to 25 years and must be renewed every 5 years.
Patents protect technical inventions or procedures that are capable of industrial application. Protection lasts up to 20 years with no possibility of renewal.
Copyright protects works of authorship, like books, films, music or other media. Protection is automatic (it is not necessary to register it, although it is recommended) and lasts for the author’s lifetime, plus an additional 70 years after the author’s death.
Services and tools to get started with IP
The Ideas Powered for business SME Fund is a grant scheme designed to help EU-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) protect their IP rights. Through the Fund, you can receive reimbursements for IP application fees and access the services of an IP expert designated by your national IP office with IP Scan.
The EUIPO also offers free online consultations to answer your IP-related questions.
For a quick and easy way to analyse your IP, determining how it may impact your business, check out the free IP Scan online tool.
Services and tools to enforce your IP rights
The IP Scan Enforcement service is designed to provide a reimbursable consultancy service on enforcement-related matters where there is a conflict with another party or a high risk of conflict.
The IP Enforcement Portal (IPEP) is a free multilingual and secure platform that helps IP rights holders, including startups, to enforce their rights at the EU level.
The Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Piracy Technology Guide (ACAPT Guide) is intended for all traders and businesses, including startups, that are interested in learning more about anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy solutions.
Protecting your IP rights on e-commerce marketplaces provides you with information on what you can do if you discover a potentially infringing or counterfeit version of your product for sale on an e-commerce marketplace, or if someone is using your trade mark in an e-commerce listing to mislead consumers.
The EUIPO Mediation Centre provides alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services to all parties involved in IP disputes pending before the EUIPO.
Keep up to date with Ideas Powered for business
Find out more on the Ideas Powered for business website, which includes an IP training section with information on the most relevant courses from trusted sources.
Further Ideas Powered for business Talks, short videos focusing on IP-related topics of interest to startups, are available on the EUIPO YouTube channel.
Follow us on LinkedIn and X to keep up with EU funding and support initiatives as well as IP events for startups.
About our collaboration
EBN is a member of the Ideas Powered for Business network, which is managed by the EUIPO. The EUIPO is the EU agency responsible for managing European Union trade marks and designs at the EU level. The Ideas Powered for business network aims to empower EU innovative entrepreneurs by helping them access centralised, clear, relevant and reliable information during their business journey. It also promotes the importance of IP rights in protecting and enforcing their competitive advantage.
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