IP cost tool
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 costs are expressed in Euro where possible so as to ensure the information is easy to grasp for EU SME needing an estimate of costs incurred when dealing with the national IP offices of the countries you are thinking to do business with/in!
Like all other services we provide, the tool will be freely accessible with minimal input required from the user and provide a real-time response. Based on the options selected you will be able to find information regarding the following fees for the registration of trade marks, patents, industrial designs, utility models and copyright:
- Application Fees
- Examination Fees
- Renewal Fees
- Surcharges / exceptions
- Annuity Fee
Copyright protects artistic, literary and scientific works ranging from books, music, paintings, sculpture and films, to computer programmes, databases, advertisements, maps and technical drawings. Such protection covers both original and derivative works (e.g. adaptations, compilations, transformations, translations or arrangements).
Designs can be protected by different means: through a registration system, through a system of non-registration and through copyright. Registration can be obtained at three different levels: national, regional and international. The best route usually depends on the markets in which the applicant intends to operate.
A patent is a legal title that can be granted for any invention having a technical character, provided that it is new, involves an ‘inventive step’, and is susceptible to industrial application. Patentable inventions can usually be a product (e.g. an object, chemical or device) or a process (i.e. a method of making something).
A trade mark is a sign used to distinguish the goods and services of one company from those of others in the market. A trade mark will grant you the exclusive right to use that particular sign in relation to certain categories of goods and services. Trade marks can consist of words, names, phrases, symbols, designs, images, distinctive features or a combination of these elements that can be represented graphically.
Like an innovation patent, a utility model provides its owner with a monopoly right over an invention, this is the right to prevent others from exploiting the claimed invention without the owner’s consent. Utility models are sometimes referred to as “short-term patents”, “utility innovations” or “innovation patents”.
Utility models are territorial, i.e. the right can be enforced only within the country in which a utility model is granted. Generally speaking, utility models are used for protecting those inventions that involve small improvements or adaptations of already existing products. They are also useful for products that have a short commercial life due to the lower registration costs compared to patents.
IP diagnostic tool
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.
This test consists of a questionnaire divided into three categories:
- IP Protection – to identify which are the most relevant IP rights to you
- IP Internationalisation and Commercialisation – to assess your knowledge on how IP rights can be exploited for your business
- IP Practice – to test your general awareness in IP
Once you have completed the questionnaire you will get a personalised report helping you identify the areas in which you should be careful in drafting or adapting your IP strategy when internationalising to a new region.