The aim of these articles is to keep our Clients and Associates updated about developments in the sector of Intellectual Property in general and our firm in particular. In this way, we wish to provide a broader view of the tools that the field of trade marks, domain names, patents, designs and related rights offers to entrepreneurs to enhance and protect their efforts in researching and developing new solutions and ideas.
Italian ‘Voucher 3i’ – Also Open to EU and EAA Companies – Helps Start-ups and Microenterprises to Protect Their Inventions
With decree dated 8 August 2024 published on 4 September 2024, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy enacted a new edition of the so-called 'Voucher 3i – Investing in Innovation' fund aimed at supporting innovation of start-ups and microenterprises by financing the purchase of consultancy services for patenting.
For a total amount available of 9 million euro, these services include:
- prior art searches and patentability assessment (1,000.00 euro per voucher),
- drafting of a patent application and filing thereof at the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (3,000.00 euro per voucher), and
- extension of an Italian patent application abroad (4,000.00 euro per voucher).
Voucher 3i is part of a larger initiative by the Italian government contained in Law 206/2023 effective 11 January 2024 (the so-called Made in Italy Act) and introducing measures intended for stimulating the growth of national strategic supply chains, fighting infringement and establishing new skills related to 'Made in Italy'.
The procedural aspects of Voucher 3i will be defined in a separate decree still to be enacted by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
Already at this stage, however, it is interesting to note that entitled to benefit from the financial incentives of Voucher 3i are not only Italian resident start-ups and microenterprises, but also start-ups and microenterprises residing in any of the EU Member States or countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA), provided that they have a production site or branch in Italy.
Each applicant start-up or microenterprise is allowed to apply for and obtain only one voucher for only one of the services listed above, and also on condition that they did not obtain any previous Voucher 3i within the period 2019-2021.
Our patent attorneys at Interpatent will be glad to provide you with more detailed information as to the full criteria for eligibility for this benefit.