Austrian MEP Paul Rübig received the European Patent Office’s 2008 award for Research & Innovation in recognition of his strong advocacy for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Paul Rübig: SME champion
Rübig is an active member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and has supported SME participation in EU projects, including the Seventh Research Framework Programme and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme.
As a Member of the European Parliament MEP) since 1996, Rübig has repeatedly called for a reduction in the cost of patenting for SMEs and fair access to jurisdiction, championing alternatives such as mediation and arbitration. He was involved in the Doha Round discussions at the World Trade Organization, taking a keen interest in trade-related aspects of intellectual property.
Receive the Funding Newswire each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.