UIMP-OEPM Agreement 2026: €37,863 to Train Companies in Industrial Property

Key data

Spanish companies continue to underutilize their intangible assets: unregistered patents, unprotected trademarks, innovations that others copy without consequences. To reverse this situation, the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) and the International University Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP) have formalized a collaboration agreement to teach in 2026 the course "More and Better Industrial Property, for More and Better Industry. Strategy and Success Cases of Spanish Companies".

The resolution publishing this agreement was published in the BOE on July 27, 2026, although the agreement entered into force on July 10, 2026. The OEPM assumes academic direction, course secretariat, and almost all financing.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement between UIMP and OEPM regulates collaboration to organize and finance an academic course in 2026 focused on industrial property strategy and success cases of Spanish companies. These are the key elements of the agreement:

• Academic direction and secretariat: assumed entirely by the OEPM.
• Financing: the OEPM contributes up to €34,913.47 from its budget allocation, representing 92.21% of the total budget of €37,863.
• Positions for civil servants: the OEPM finances up to €5,312.50 in registration fees for a maximum of 25 representatives from public administrations.
• Strategic framework: the initiative is part of the OEPM Strategic Plan 2025-2027, specifically the objective of promoting national alliances to encourage the use of industrial property.
• Final objective: for companies to better protect and monetize their intangible assets, strengthening Spanish industrial competitiveness.

The course content combines business strategy with real success cases from Spanish companies that have managed to turn their patents, trademarks, or designs into tangible competitive advantages.

Economic and operational impact

For companies, this agreement generates no direct costs or obligations. Its impact is one of opportunity: access to high-level training on how to turn industrial property into a business lever.

From an operational perspective, the OEPM assumes 92.21% of the cost, indicating a clear institutional commitment to bringing industrial property closer to the business sector. The fact that up to 25 positions are funded for civil servants suggests the course also seeks to improve the advisory capacity of public administrations to companies.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish companies with intangible assets: SMEs and large companies that have or could have registered patents, trademarks, industrial designs, or utility models.
• Executives and innovation managers: CEOs, R&D directors, strategy managers who want to learn how to monetize industrial property.
• Civil servants from public administrations: up to 25 representatives can access with registration fees funded by the OEPM (up to €5,312.50 in total).
• Industrial property advisors and consultants: professionals who assist companies in managing their intangible assets.
• Public bodies linked to innovation: regional development agencies, chambers of commerce, technology parks.

Practical example

A medium-sized Spanish industrial company has developed an innovative manufacturing process, but has never registered a patent because "they don't know where to start" and fear the process will be costly or useless. An innovation manager from that company attends the course organized by UIMP and OEPM.

During the course, they learn through success cases of real Spanish companies how similar companies have protected their processes, blocked competitors, and generated income through licensing. The OEPM, which provides academic direction for the course, also provides direct guidance on registration procedures.

Cost to the company: the time of the attending employee. Public financing (€34,913.47 contributed by the OEPM) covers virtually all course costs. If that manager is a civil servant from a public administration, their registration is covered within the 25 funded positions (up to €5,312.50 in total for all civil servants).

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you have unprotected intangible assets: review whether your company has processes, products, trade names, or designs that could be registered as a patent, trademark, or industrial design with the OEPM.
2. Follow the course announcement: check the websites of the OEPM and UIMP to learn about dates, available positions, and registration conditions for the "More and Better Industrial Property" course.
3. If you are a civil servant or represent a public administration: apply for one of the 25 positions with funded registration before they run out. The total budget for civil servant registrations is €5,312.50.
4. Evaluate the return on protecting your assets: use the course content or OEPM advice to calculate whether registering a patent or trademark can generate licensing income or block competitors.
5. Connect with the OEPM Strategic Plan 2025-2027: this agreement is one of the plan's initiatives. There are more company support programs underway; find out from the OEPM about other alliances and available resources.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16319