IP and Legal

The tailor-made IP and legal support service is directed to EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, Pre Accelerator and EIC Accelerator beneficiaries, as well as Seal of Excellence holders, seeking to protect, manage and exploit technology-based innovations through patent protection. The service supports beneficiaries in assessing the patentability of their innovation, defining an appropriate IP protection strategy and preparing the necessary documentation for patent filing in selected jurisdictions. The duration of the service depends on the complexity of the invention and the selected filing route, but it typically includes an initial diagnostic phase, a prior-art and patentability assessment phase, a patent drafting phase and a filing-support phase. The service is delivered by qualified patent attorneys and IP/legal consultants, acting as expert advisors. The patent attorney support is provided by outsourced experts, while the consulting support is provided by in-house experts. 

The main activities include: collection and review of technical information; prior-art search and analysis; assessment of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability; definition of a tailored patent drafting and filing strategy; preparation of a draft patent application; coordination of filing in the selected countries or regions; and monitoring of the application process up to the grant stage. The expected outcome is a clear and actionable patent protection pathway, together with a professionally prepared patent application aligned with the beneficiary’s technology, commercial objectives and target markets. The service is implemented through online or hybrid expert meetings, document review, written feedback and direct interaction with the beneficiary’s technical and management team.