Italian Patent and Trademark Office

What Italian Patent and Trademark Office does

The Italian Patent and Trademark Office (Ufficio Italiano Brevetti e Marchi, UIBM) is the Italian government authority responsible for industrial property rights, operating as a directorate-general under the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy, MIMIT). UIBM administers national patent, trademark, and industrial design registrations, validates European patents, processes international applications under the PCT and Madrid systems, and serves as Italy's national phase authority for the new EU Geographical Indications for craft and industrial products under EU Regulation 2023/2411. The office is led by General Director Dott. Antonio Lirosi and is organized into seven internal divisions covering legal affairs, anti-counterfeiting, user services, European/international affairs, patents, trademarks/designs, and opposition/nullity proceedings.

The office's technology stack centers on the Deposito Telematico electronic filing portal (servizionline.uibm.gov.it) and the Banche Dati public databases, enabling online submission and search across all IP rights categories. UIBM also operates the Knowledge-share platform connecting Italian enterprises with university research, and participates in EPO-managed tools such as the DEEP Tech Finder. The office serves as secretariat for the National Anti-Counterfeiting Council (CNALCIS) and runs the Linea Diretta Anticontraffazione anti-counterfeiting helpline.

UIBM's commercial model is that of a government agency, generating revenue through statutory filing fees while distributing substantial public funds through incentive programs including Brevetti+ (up to €140,000 per project for patent commercialization), Disegni+, Marchi+/Marchi+3, Voucher 3i (for innovative startups), PNRR-funded Proof of Concept grants, and UTT (Technology Transfer Office) funding — together totaling tens of millions of euros annually. The office co-distributes these incentives through partner agencies Invitalia and Unioncamere, and channels the EUIPO SME Fund voucher system (Vouchers 2-5) into the Italian SME market. Primary customers are Italian SMEs, with secondary segments including universities and public research bodies, innovative startups and spinoffs, and artisan/industrial producer associations.

Name

Italian Patent and Trademark Office

Legal name

Direzione Generale per la Proprietà Industriale - Ufficio Italiano Brevetti e Marchi

Website

https://uibm.mise.gov.it

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UIBM is Italy's government authority for industrial property rights under the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, administering national patent, trademark, design, and EU Geographical Indication registrations, distributing SME IP incentives, and coordinating anti-counterfeiting policy for Italian businesses, universities, and innovators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Property Administration Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Patent Owners & Lessors (6794)

akta.pro primary industry

Trademark Prosecution & Brand Protection (BPAHAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management (BPAHAMAA), IP Compliance, Anti-Counterfeiting & Enforcement (BPAHAMAK), IP & Patent Information Publishing (Patent/Litigation Analytics, Prior Art) (MPAJACAK)

Keywords

• Patent registration services
• Trademark registration services
• Industrial design protection
• Intellectual property administration
• IP incentive programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Filing Fees and Charges: Government fees collected for filing patent applications, trademark registrations, industrial design deposits, and other industrial property rights applications. The office operates as a regulatory body under the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Italian Patent and Trademark Office (Ufficio Italiano Brevetti e Marchi, UIBM) is the Italian government agency that administers national industrial property rights. It registers patents (national, European validation, and international PCT applications), trademarks (national, EUIPO, and WIPO), industrial designs, and the new EU Geographical Indications for craft and industrial products. It also provides electronic filing through its online portal, public databases, anti-counterfeiting support, and manages SME incentive programs (Brevetti+, Disegni+, Marchi+, Voucher 3i, Proof of Concept, Technology Transfer Offices).

Product overview

The Italian Patent and Trademark Office (Ufficio Italiano Brevetti e Marchi - UIBM) operates as a government agency under the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, offering a comprehensive suite of industrial property services. Its core offerings include patent registration (national, European patent validation, and international PCT applications), trademark registration (national, EU via EUIPO, and international via WIPO), and industrial design registration. The office also administers the new EU Geographical Indications (IGP) system for craft and industrial products. Supporting services include online electronic filing through its dedicated portal, searchable patent and trademark databases, and anti-counterfeiting assistance via its helpline. The UIBM manages multiple SME incentive programs including Brevetti+, Disegni+, and Marchi+ grants for IP valorization, Voucher 3i for innovative startups, and PNRR-funded Proof of Concept and Technology Transfer Office (UTT) programs. The office also maintains the Register of Historic Trademarks and operates the Knowledge Share platform connecting university research with industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Knowledge Share: Platform connecting companies and university research for patents
• Registro Speciale dei Marchi Storici di Interesse Nazionale

Products and services

• Brevetti (Patents) National patent filing, examination and granting for inventions and utility models; validation of European patents; management of international PCT applications; supporting activities for patent protection in Italy and abroad. Targeted at inventors, companies, and research institutions.
• Marchi (Trademarks) Registration and management of national, European (EUIPO) and international (WIPO) trademarks; opposition and cancellation proceedings; maintenance of the Register of Historic Trademarks. For brand owners and businesses seeking trademark protection.
• Disegni e Modelli (Industrial Designs) Registration and management of national and international industrial designs and models. For designers, manufacturers, and businesses seeking design protection.
• Indicazioni Geografiche Protette (IGP) - EU Registration and protection of European Geographical Indications for craft and industrial products under EU Regulation 2023/2411, with national phase processing in Italy. For producer associations and individual manufacturers.
• Online Filing (Deposito Telematico) Electronic online filing system for submitting patent, trademark and design applications through the dedicated portal at servizionline.uibm.gov.it. Available to all applicants 24/7.
• EUIPO SME Fund Voucher EUIPO-managed voucher system offering reimbursement for trademark, design and patent registration fees, as well as geographical indication expenses for SMEs. Includes Vouchers 2 (Marks/Designs), 3 (Patents), 4 (Plant Varieties) and 5 (Geographical Indications).
• Brevetti+ Grant program supporting SMEs in acquiring specialist services for patent commercialization, covering industrialization, organization, development and technology transfer, with maximum aid of 140,000 euros per project under de minimis rules.
• Marchi+3 Subsidy program for SMEs to register EU and international trademarks, with grants covering specialist services for European Union trademarks via EUIPO and international trademarks via WIPO.
• Bando Proof of Concept (PoC) PNRR-funded grant program for universities, public research bodies and IRCCS to finance patent valorization and proof of concept projects, aiming to bridge public research and industry. 26 programs funded totaling 10.8 million euros.
• Registro Speciale dei Marchi Storici Special Register of Historic Trademarks of National Interest, recognizing historic Italian brands that have been registered for at least 50 years. Over 1,000 historic trademarks have been registered.
• Knowledge Share Platform connecting companies with university research, facilitating patent licensing and technology transfer between research institutions and the business sector.
• Linea Diretta Anticontraffazione Anti-counterfeiting helpline providing assistance and support to enterprises, including anti-counterfeiting services and intellectual property protection online.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patent applications increased by 18.2% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching nearly 12,000 applications
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EPO (European Patent Office)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Joint events at the WE MAKE FUTURE fair in Bologna on June 26, 2026, presenting tools for startups, SMEs and spinoffs to protect technological innovations. Collaboration includes DEEP Tech Finder database and European patent protection methodologies.
• MIMIT, MAECI, MASAF, AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Protocol signed on April 18, 2024 (National Made in Italy Day) between Ministry of Enterprises, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, and Amazon to strengthen Made in Italy protection and combat counterfeiting. Includes IP Education Plan with 8 training webinars for SMEs on internationalization.
• EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office on the SME Fund voucher system, providing financial support for Italian SMEs to register trademarks, designs, patents, plant varieties, and geographic indications. UIBM actively promotes EUIPO programs and facilitates Italian participation.
• InvitaliacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNational development agency managing Brevetti+ patent valorization incentive program and Voucher 3i for innovative startups. Handles application processing and fund disbursement for these government programs.
• UnioncamerecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerItalian Chamber of Commerce system managing Disegni+ and Marchi+ incentive programs for industrial designs and trademark registration. Handles applications and disbursement for SME IP support programs.
• Knowledge-share PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital platform connecting Italian enterprises with university research for technology transfer and innovation collaboration. Jointly presented at WE MAKE FUTURE fair as part of EPO-UIBM collaboration.
• CNALCIS (Consiglio Nazionale per la Lotta alla Contraffazione e all'Italian Sounding)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Council for Anti-Counterfeiting and Italian Sounding, with UIBM serving as secretariat. Coordinates inter-institutional efforts to combat counterfeiting and protect Italian products.
• PIP&Patlib (Patent Information Points)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of patent information centers providing localized IP assistance and information services to businesses and inventors throughout Italy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Japan Patent Office (JPO): Japanese national IP office, one of the largest national offices globally, with comparable patent, trademark, and design examination responsibilities. Represents a global-scale analogue rather than a direct competitor.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): Global UN agency administering the PCT and Madrid systems, the international layer above UIBM's national filings. UIBM processes international PCT and Madrid applications as the national receiving office.
• China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA): China's national IP office, the world's largest by filing volume. Comparable as a national IP administration authority; relevant for benchmarking filing growth dynamics and global IP system interactions.
• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): U.S. national IP office handling patents and trademarks at the largest single-jurisdiction scale globally. Comparable function as national registration and examination authority, though operating in a much larger and more commercially aggressive market.

Direct peers

• European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO): EU-level agency for EU trademarks and registered designs, directly comparable to UIBM in scope of trademark/design registration but operating at supranational scale. UIBM is the national gateway that feeds into EUIPO and shares the SME Fund voucher system.
• European Patent Office (EPO): European-level patent granting authority that operates alongside UIBM for European patent validation. EPO is a current strategic partner of UIBM, co-managing the DEEP Tech Finder and joint events for Italian startups.
• Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI France): French national IP office offering directly comparable patent, trademark, and design registration services with similar SME support and incentive programs. Closest functional peer among major EU national offices.
• Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO): UK national IP office with comparable scope (patents, trademarks, designs) and post-Brexit independent operating model. Functions as a regional peer for English-language applicants and international filings.
• Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt (DPMA): German national IP office, the largest EU national office by filings. Directly comparable in mandate (patents, trademarks, designs) and in supporting German SME internationalization through national incentive programs.

Regional players

• Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM): Spanish national IP office covering patents, trademarks, and designs within the same Iberian and Mediterranean market context. Directly comparable mandate and similar SME internationalization focus as UIBM.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ufficio-italiano-marchi-e-brevetti

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Italian Patent and Trademark Office