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The “Disegni+” call for proposals, aimed at Italian companies, represents a significant opportunity to obtain financial support in the prototyping, production and marketing of registered designs.
“Disegni+” offers a grant that covers, on a non-repayable basis, up to 80% of the expenses incurred and a maximum amount of € 60,000.00 per company. The Canella Camaiora Law Firm, thanks to its experience and expertise, is at the disposal of companies wishing to take advantage of this sensational opportunity, offering targeted assistance and advice. However, there is very little time to register the design and prepare: you need to act now.
Here is a detailed analysis of this grant.
The purpose of the call for proposals is to financially support companies in the valorization of designs by financing their putting into production or offering them on the market: sustainable expenses include the creation of prototypes, molds, technical, legal and specialized consultancy in the approach to the market, with well-defined limits for each type of service.
The Disegni+ call for proposals is aimed at Italian Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that own registered designs. A non-repayable grant of 80 percent is provided, with a maximum facilitation amount of €60,000. As much as €10 million has been allocated for the year 2023.
Design registration is not among the eligible expenses but is essential to participate in the call for proposals.
Since design registration by some offices (EUIPO first and foremost) is almost instantaneous, it is possible to register the product design before the opening of the call for applications scheduled for November 7, 2023.
Within the framework of the “Disegni+” Call for Proposals, a key element that deserves special emphasis is the opportunity offered to companies to register the design even at this stage (up to the date of submission of the application for facilitation). As a matter of fact, companies must own the registered design that is the subject of the application. The design/model may have already been registered (as early as January 01, 2021) or in any case may be registered by the date of the opening of the call for applications or by November 07, 2023.
Beneficiaries of the benefits under the Call for Proposals “Disegni+” may be the enterprises that meet the following requirements:
The application can be submitted from November 07, 2023. Participants must own the registered design by that date.
The design must be registered with the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM) or the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) or the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). In the latter case, Italy must be among the designated countries.
Please note! It is advisable to proceed immediately with the preliminary registration requirements in order to fall within this time window and take advantage of the notice.
The click day of “Disegni+” edition 2023, set for 9:30 a.m. on November 07, 2023, is the crucial date for application submission. There is no fixed deadline, but the application can be submitted until the available resources, which are ten million, are exhausted.
It is crucial that the registration and all necessary documentation be ready and in order by that date, as resources are allocated according to a counter evaluation procedure, in accordance with Article 5, paragraph 3 of Legislative Decree 123/98, as amended, and in chronological order of submission through a computer procedure. In case the funds are insufficient, the last application positively examined will be admitted to the facilities until the available resources are met.
The processing of applications is conducted by the managing entity, which verifies not only the formal regularity of the application, but also the adequacy of the enhancement strategy, the functionality of the identified services, the consistency between providers and services, and the appropriateness of costs. In addition, the managing entity may request clarifications, with specific deadlines for response, and conclude the preliminary investigation within 180 days of receiving the application, notifying the company concerned of the decisive measure.
For dedicated advice, information on design registration or the “Disegni+” call for proposals, you can request a quote or book an appointment through Canella Camaiora Law Firm’s interactive forms (calculate quote – check the calendar).
In accordance with Article 7 of the Call for Proposals, the amount of financial relief intended for participating enterprises has been clearly outlined. Facilities will be granted up to 80% of eligible expenses, with a maximum amount set at €60,000.00 (sixty thousand euros).
Articles 6 and 7 of the 2023 Call for Proposals outline precisely the eligible expenses.
Eligible expenses are recognized as those focused on the enhancement of a design, both for its production and for its offer on the market. These include the creation of prototypes and molds. Also included are various forms of technical advice, such as that related to the production chain, use of innovative materials, product certification or environmental sustainability, market approach and legal protection.
As mentioned earlier, design registration is not among the eligible expenses but is essential to participate in the call for proposals.
The maximum amount of subsidy is divided according to the type of service provided, as follows:
For the creation of prototypes, the maximum amount is €13,000.00.
For the creation of molds, the maximum amount is set at € 35,000.00.
In case of technical consultancy aimed at the production chain, the maximum amount is € 10,000.00.
For technical consulting for product certification or environmental sustainability, the limit is € 5,000.00.
The amount for specialized consulting in market approach and techno-economic evaluation of the design/model is € 8,000.00.
Finally, for legal advice for protection from infringement actions or licensing agreements, the maximum amount is set at € 2,500.00.
It is important to note that the facilitation amount is calculated provisionally at the time of granting and then redetermined at the conclusion of the project, based on actual expenses incurred. However, the amount of the final facilitation cannot exceed the amount provisionally identified.
It should also be pointed out that expenses for services provided by companies in a controlling or related relationship with the applicant enterprise, or by directors, partners or their close associates, or companies related to the directors or partners of the applicant enterprise are excluded.
Facilities may not be combined with other state aid or facilities financed from EU resources, but may be available together with general measures not subject to the rules on cumulation, up to 100% of the expenses incurred.
In case of co-ownership of the design, the facilitation is granted according to the percentage shares of co-ownership of the applicant(s), unless otherwise stated in the application.
Yes, the Canella Camaiora Law Firm can assist the interested party in the submission of the “Designs+” grant application, thanks to the support of trusted professionals and partners. A special power of attorney is required, and some activities will require the cooperation and digital signature of the company’s legal representative.
The Firm, however, has the ability to assist only a limited number of clients in the submission of applications for facilitation; therefore, clients who have already registered their design with the Firm’s assistance, or who will have registered it when submitting the application for “Designs+”, will be treated with priority.
The services offered by Studio Canella Camaiora are not limited to the mere submission of the application for relief. It is an integrated support that, thanks also to the partnership with Fortitudo Finance, includes:
The main changes from the previous announcement include:
The full text of the notice is available here: https://uibm.mise.gov.it/images/bandi/Disegnipiu2023.pdf.
If you have any needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Avvocato Arlo Canella