With the WIPANO funding measure, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) support in the patenting and exploitation of their innovative ideas by reimbursing the costs of patent consultation and registration in the form of a subsequent grant of 50% of the costs incurred.
The grant is divided into five service packages and amounts to a maximum of 16,600 euros. The funding period runs for a maximum of 24 months. The new funding period began on 01.01.2020 and currently runs until the end of 2023.
Our law firm has a high level of expertise on application and funding modalities and will be happy to provide you with support and advice.
In addition to universities and research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed freelancers with a scientific and technical background, whose last patent or utility model application was filed at least three years ago or who have never applied for a patent or utility model before, are eligible to apply.
In addition, the applicants must have their (production) site in Germany and operate the company as their main occupation.
In addition to the patent application, the funding includes professional advice, for example from a patent law firm, as well as the costs for searches and subsequent exploitation of your invention.
If the first service packages have been successfully completed and we can recommend a patent or utility model application, the fees of the patent attorney including official fees as well as numerous exploitation costs are also subsidized.
The overview of the five service packages (SP) is presented in detail below.
Service packages of the funding
SP 1: consultation and detailed tests regarding novelty
The invention is cursory examined for its basic patentability by searching for the subject matter of the invention.
Grant: 50% of the costs, max. 800 €
SP 2: detailed examinations regarding economic utilization
The economic usability is checked within the scope of a cost-benefit analysis of the object of the invention.
Grant: 50% of the costs, max. 800 €
SP 3: advice and support in the registration of property rights
Development and coordination of an application strategy for a patent and/or utility model. LP 3 is mandatory for foreign applications.
Grant: 50% of the costs, max. 1.000 €
SP 4: property right application
Patent attorney services including official fees, which arise in connection with applications for intellectual property rights, e.g. patent and utility model applications, but also flanking trademark and design applications.
Subsidy: 50% of the costs, max. 10,000 €
SP 5: measures for the exploitation of the property right
Development of an exploitation strategy, non-disclosure agreements, exploitation agreements, contract and license negotiations, participation in trade fairs, construction of prototypes, approval consulting etc.
Subsidy: 50% of the costs, max. 4,000 €
Further information can be found at https://www.innovation-beratung-foerderung.de/INNO/Navigation/DE/WIPANO/wipano.html.
WIPANO funding for SMEs will continue in 2024. The service packages will be simplified from five to two. WIPANO funding for patent applications from public research will be discontinued as of 01.01.2024.
The end of the period for SMEs to apply for this program – originally June 30, 2023 – has now been extended to October 31, 2023.
We would be pleased to take over the services of the individual service packages for you. Please contact us!