IP basics
Intellectual property has become a key building block for the commercial success and competitiveness of many companies – and especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – as modern economies are increasingly driven by knowledge-based services and products. It is thus fundamental for SMEs to be aware of the value of their intangible assets and to set up informed strategies to capture, manage, protect and potentially enforce their IP.
Moreover, IP management plays an important role in maximising the impact of research and innovation projects safeguarding that bright ideas and ground-breaking research findings are turned into value-creating goods and services.
But where to begin? While there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to IP management, and strategies should always be closely aligned with the overall strategy and individual setting of your business or R&I project, there are some IP basics that will help you take the first steps.
In this section we bring together central publications provided by each of our regional IP Helpdesk teams that give an overview of key aspects to consider when tackling IP management in different settings and
Assessing your IP
Knowing your IP is the basis for developing a sound IP management strategy – especially when doing business in foreign markets. We have created some useful tools that will help you get a clearer picture.
The purpose of the Cost Tool is to provide EU SMEs with a reliable overview of costs involved with the registration of their IP in third markets (China, India, South-east Asia, Latin-America).
The IP Diagnostic tool will help you analyse your level of preparedness and knowledge in IP and identify the relevant aspects on which you may need further information.
Support for European SMEs
In order to provide the necessary support mechanisms, the European Commission has developed an extensive network of in-depth programs and resources to help European SMEs thrive in today's economy. No matter the stage of development of your SME, assistance for the following key topics can be found below.
Related links
Latest news
The JRC launched in September 2026 JRC Labs as a Service, a new initiative giving European industry access to selected JRC research infrastructures and expertise.
The European IP Helpdesk is pleased to welcome three new members to its Ambassador community, further strengthening its network of intellectual property (IP) and innovation experts supporting SMEs, researchers and innovators across Europe.
The European Commission has proposed a revision of the EU standardisation framework, aiming to accelerate the development of European standards, improve accessibility and strengthen their contribution to innovation, competitiveness and technological leadership.
The ‘Science, Research and Innovation Performance of the EU, 2026’ (SRIP) report offers a comprehensive and detailed overview of how Europe is performing today in terms of science, research and innovation and analyses the key determinants of this performance.