natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
ValDeal hævder derfor, at virksomheden gennemførte aktiviteter, som var unikke på det ungarske marked.
The Hungarian authorities also claimed that the aid granted may be compatible with Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty, arguing that ValDeal's project was aimed at closing an obvious market gap, but could not be carried out with funds provided at market rates.
Den største forskel mellem ValDeals ydelser og konkurrenternes ydelser var, at sidstnævnte kun var aktive i ét af segmenterne i ValDeals aktiviteter.
In this view, the amount of the aid was limited to, and did not exceed the level needed for, the realisation of the goal.
Baseret på den erhvervede knowhow hævdede ValDeal, at den havde udviklet en ny innovationsstyringsmodel og -metode, der kunne anvendes konsekvent på en måde, der passede til det ungarske juridiske miljø og landets sociokulturelle forhold.
The R & D&I Framework of 2006, which was adopted on 22 November 2006 and entered into force on 1 January 2007, contained a new aid category for innovation advisory services and innovation support services in line with Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty.
Navnlig skal metoden til projektindsamling tilpasses til de ungarske realiteter, da opstartsprojekter i Ungarn som følge af de anderledes karakteristika på det amerikanske marked ikke var lige så passende til at blive udvalgt.
Since the grantor's commitment was made on 19 December 2006 and the new framework was intended to recognise the eligibility of innovation advisory services, the compatibility of aid could be assessed, according to the Hungarian authorities, directly under the Treaty.
Endvidere skulle metoderne til projektscreening forbedres yderligere, da den amerikanske model fokuserede på afsætningsmuligheder (udnyttelse af markedet), men den øst- og centraleuropæiske modpart som følge af den anderledes sociokulturelle kontekst lagde større vægt på iværksætterånd og projektværternes personlighed.
In this respect, the Hungarian authorities observed that the development of an innovation management model in accordance with the Hungarian and EU regulations and the sociocultural context of East-Central Europe required the development of an appropriate business model and practice where innovation is driven by market demand and relationships with customers.
Sociokulturelle forskelle og økonomisk kontekst har ligeledes medført en dybtgående tilpasning af dagsordenen for uddannelse og efteruddannelse.
ValDeal's project has developed a number of methods of and tools for collecting, evaluating and screening projects, in order for them to be used consistently in the future.
ValDeal hævder, at der ikke var noget marked for sådanne ydelser på tilskudstidspunktet.
POSITION OF INTERESTED PARTIES
Endvidere fandtes der i starten af 2013 ikke en tilsvarende model i Ungarn, dvs. ydelser rettet mod innovationsrelateret virksomhedsinkubation af små og mellemstore virksomheder.
Position of ValDeal
ValDeal hævdede ydermere, at der i henhold til aftalen med tilskudsmyndigheden ikke var nogen juridisk forpligtelse til at ansøge om patentbeskyttelse.
ValDeal maintained its opinion that the Project involved genuine R & D activities, eligible under the 1996 R & D&I Framework.
Derudover havde virksomheden ikke råd til at betale gebyret for en patentrapport, ligesom den ikke måtte bruge støtten til sådanne formål.
ValDeal argued that the activity qualified as experimental development indicating that, while the individual tasks carried out under the project would not qualify as R & D projects in isolation, they could, if taken together, contribute to an R & D purpose.
European Business & Innovation Centre Networks (EBN's) holdning
In particular, ValDeal underlined that it applied an existing methodology to local undertakings and projects and carried out experimental development on a new integrated innovation management model.
EBN er et europæisk netværk af erhvervsfremme- og innovationscentre (EIC'er) og lignende organisationer som f.eks. inkubatorer.
On a test basis, ValDeal collected, evaluated and screened a wide range of Hungarian projects, checking for their viability.
ValDeal er medlem af EBN.
Therefore ValDeal claims that the company performed a unique activity within the Hungarian market.
EBN hævdede [36], at ValDeal gennemførte en eksperimentel anvendelse i Ungarn af en model udviklet i USA, som omfattede indsamling, evaluering og filtrering af projekter baseret på original knowhow.
The main difference between ValDeal's services and those provided by its competitors was that the latter were active in only one of the segments of ValDeal's operations.
Derudover gennemførte ValDeal ifølge EBN en metodeanalyse af europæisk innovationsstyringspraksis, herunder en dybtgående undersøgelse af, hvordan projektejere kunne motiveres til at samarbejde.
Based on the know-how acquired, ValDeal claimed that it had developed a new innovation management model and methodology that could be consistently applied in a manner that matched the Hungarian legal environment and sociocultural conditions.
Den udførte ligeledes forsknings- og uddannelsesmæssige opgaver og udviklede effektive og innovative metoder og værktøjer til projektindsamling, -evaluering og -udvælgelse.
In particular, the methodology of project collection had to be adapted to the Hungarian realities as, due to the different characteristics of the US market, start-up projects in Hungary were less suitable for selection.
Et sådant innovationsstyringsværktøj indgik fortsat ikke i de innovationsydelser, som var tilgængelige i Ungarn.
Moreover, the project screening methodologies needed to be further improved, as the American model had marketability (market utilisation) in its focus, while its East Central European counterpart, due to the different sociocultural context, gave higher importance to the entrepreneurial spirit and personality of project hosts.
VURDERING
Sociocultural differences and economic context had also led to an in-depth adaptation of the training and model educational agenda.
Forekomst af statsstøtte
As regards the impact on competition, ValDeal emphasised that the project was not aimed at supplying general management services; rather, it strove to create something truly unique, i.e. an integrated Hungarian model of innovation management along with the related innovation consultancy services.
For at blive anset for at være statsstøtte i henhold til artikel 107, stk. 1, i TEUF, skal en foranstaltning opfylde følgende fire kumulative kriterier:
ValDeal claims that there was no market for such services at the time of the grant.
foranstaltningen skal omfatte brug af statsmidler
In addition, by early 2013, a similar model, i.e. services aimed at the innovation-related business incubation of small and medium-sized enterprises, still did not exist in Hungary.
foranstaltningen skal fordreje eller true med at fordreje konkurrencen
ValDeal argued also that under the contract with the granting authority there was no legal obligation to file for patent protection.
foranstaltningen skal begunstige visse virksomheder
Furthermore, the company could not afford the fee of a patent report, nor was it allowed to spend aid for such purposes.
foranstaltningen skal påvirke samhandelen mellem medlemsstaterne.
Position of the European Business & Innovation Centre Network (EBN)
Støtte til ValDeal
EBN is a European network of business and innovation centres (BICs) and similar organisations such as incubators.
For det første modtog ValDeal et tilskud fra 2006-budgettet for statsstøtteordning nr. HU 21/2004, og Kommissionen konkluderede derfor, at foranstaltningen omfattede statsmidler og kunne tilskrives staten.
ValDeal is a member of EBN.
Foranstaltningen begunstigede derfor ValDeal selektivt.
In addition, according to EBN, ValDeal carried out a methodical analysis of European innovation management practices, including an in-depth examination of how project owners could be motivated to cooperate.
For det tredje har foranstaltningen potentiale til at fordreje konkurrencen og påvirke samhandelen mellem medlemsstaterne, eftersom det marked, som ValDeal opererer på, er åbent for konkurrence fra virksomheder, der er etableret i andre medlemsstater.
It also performed research and education tasks and developed efficient and innovative methods and tools for project collection, evaluation and selection.
Endvidere købte ValDeal knowhow om innovationsstyring fra det amerikanske University of Texas og det tyske INNO AG og havde desuden til hensigt at levere ydelser til virksomheder etableret i andre central- og østeuropæiske lande.
Such an innovation management tool was still missing from the range of innovation services available in Hungary.
Støtte til ValDeals kunder
EBN argued that it had evaluated the performances of ValDeal every year since 2008, and also conducted two in-depth on-site audits of ValDeal in 2008 and 2010.
Som følge af foranstaltningen blev ValDeals kunder begunstiget med gratis rådgivningsydelser.
The evaluations and audits had concluded that ValDeal was in full compliance with the business and innovation centres criteria.
Selv om disse kunder ikke direkte modtog statsmidler, blev de således indirekte begunstiget inden for betydningen af artikel 107, stk. 1, i TEUF, eftersom selve formålet med foranstaltningen var at levere gratis rådgivningsydelser til opfindere og virksomheder.
ASSESSMENT
Foranstaltningen kan tydeligvis tilskrives staten, ligesom den involverer statsmidler, som begunstigede ValDeal og dennes kunder direkte.
Existence of State aid
For det andet gennemførte ValDeal en proces, hvorved de mest værdige og lovende virksomheder skulle vælges som modtagere af gratis rådgivningsydelser.
To be considered State aid under Article 107(1) TFEU, a measure must fulfil the following four cumulative criteria:
Som følge deraf begunstigede projektet de udvalgte modtagere og havde ligeledes potentiale til at fordreje konkurrencen på downstreammarkedet, hvor ValDeals kunder opererede, ved at begunstige dem selektivt.
the measure must involve the use of State resources;
For det tredje vil denne foranstaltning sandsynligvis påvirke samhandelen mellem medlemsstaterne.
the measure must distort or threaten to distort competition;
Derudover agtede ValDeal som nævnt ovenfor også at levere ydelserne til virksomheder etableret i andre central- og østeuropæiske lande.
the measure must confer a selective advantage on certain undertakings;
Endvidere havde projektet til formål at give ValDeals kunder bedre mulighed for at konkurrere på både nationalt og europæisk plan.
the measure must affect trade between Member States.
Foranstaltningen har derfor tydeligt påvirket samhandelen mellem medlemsstaterne.
Aid at the level of ValDeal
Konklusion
Firstly, ValDeal received a grant from the 2006 budget of State aid scheme No HU 21/2004; hence, the Commission concludes that the measure involved State resources and was imputable to the State.
Kommissionen konkluderer, at foranstaltningen udgør statsstøtte inden for betydningen af artikel 107, stk. 1, i TEUF til ValDeal og dennes kunder:
ValDeal was selected following a call for tenders organised by the Research and Technological Innovation Fund and received financing to develop and provide a series of innovation advisory services alongside the complemented services provided by consultancies, patent agents, ‘business angels’ and lawyers.
Vurdering af forenelighed
Therefore, the measure conferred a selective advantage on ValDeal.
Støtte til ValDeal
Thirdly, the measure has the potential to distort competition and affect trade between Member States, since the market in which ValDeal operates is open to competition from firms established in other Member States.
ValDeals aktiviteter som FoU-projekter
Moreover, ValDeal bought innovation management know-how from the US University of Texas and the German INNO AG, and also intended to provide services to companies established in other Central and Eastern European countries.
FUI-rammebestemmelserne fra 1996 indeholder definitioner af den type forskning, som kan anses for at være forenelig med statsstøttereglerne:
Aid at the level of ValDeal's customers
(…) For at fastslå FoU-støttens afstand til den kommercielle udnyttelse sondrer Kommissionen mellem grundforskning, industriel forskning og udviklingsaktiviteter på prækonkurrencestadiet [37].«
As a result of the measure, ValDeal's customers benefited from free advisory services.
Den gennemførte model skulle skabe og stimulere forskning og udvikling og innovation i andre enheder og ikke i ValDeal selv.
Thus, while these customers did not directly receive State resources, they received an indirect advantage, within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU, since the very purpose of the measure was to provide free advisory services for inventors and companies.
Tilpasningen af modellen, så den opfyldte kravene på et specifikt marked, er ikke specifik for ValDeal, men almindelig økonomisk adfærd for enhver økonomisk aktør, der ønsker at komme ind på et marked.
The measure is clearly imputable to the State and involves State resources, which directly benefited ValDeal and its customers.
Ovennævnte model synes at være en enkel og sædvanlig tilpasning, som enhver økonomisk aktør, der ønsker at komme ind på et bestemt marked, foretager.
Secondly, ValDeal implemented a process through which the most deserving and promising companies were to be chosen as beneficiaries of free-of-charge advisory services.
Det påståede »realistiske billede af markedsværdien af resultaterne af innovative projekter samt deres afsætningsmuligheder«, som ValDeal kunne give sine støttemodtagere, adskilte sig ikke i sig selv fra de tjenesteydelser, som lignende konsulenter leverede, og kan under ingen omstændigheder anses for at være FoU.
As a result, the project conferred a selective advantage on the selected beneficiaries and also had the potential to distort competition on the downstream markets where ValDeal customers were operating, by conferring a selective advantage on them.
Selv om det ungarske økonomiske landskab på tidspunktet for støttetildelingen i nogen grad adskilte sig fra landskabet i et andet land, er dette argument ikke tilstrækkeligt til at hævde, at aktiviteterne havde FoU-elementer.
Thirdly, the measure is likely to affect trade between Member States.
Havde ValDeal været aktiv i et andet land, ville virksomheden alligevel have været nødt til at tilpasse sit værdiforslag ligesom enhver anden økonomisk aktør.
Moreover, as mentioned above, ValDeal also intended to provide the services to companies established in other Central and Eastern European countries.
Ud fra dette perspektiv handlede ValDeal ikke anderledes end enhver anden leverandør af tjenesteydelser eller varer.
In addition, the project aimed at improving the ability of ValDeal's customers to compete both at national and European level.
Virksomheden er unik i og med, at den evner at integrere og koordinere flere ydelser, som støttemodtagerne ledte efter, eller i mangel af projektet ydelser, som de ikke ellers ville have kunnet indgå aftale om.
Therefore, the measure clearly has affected trade between Member States.
Selv om ValDeal henviser til Frascati-manualen udgjorde virksomhedens aktiviteter ikke forskning rettet mod identifikation af et innovativt produkt, men en form for tilpasning af et eksisterende produkt kombineret med systematisk analysearbejde udført inden for rammerne af tjenesteydelsesaktiviteterne.
Conclusion
ValDeal erhvervede navnlig knowhow fra tredjeparter og begrænsede sig til at tilpasse den til det ungarske marked.
The Commission concludes that the measure constitutes State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU to ValDeal and its customers.
De aktiviteter, som ValDeal gennemførte, opfylder de væsentlige krav i artikel 4 (dvs. generelle og specifikke) i forordning (EF) nr. 1628/2006 (gruppefritagelsesforordningen for regionalstøtte).
[…] In order to determine the proximity to the market of the aided R & D, the Commission makes a distinction between fundamental research, industrial research and precompetitive development activity.’
Artikel 4 i gruppefritagelsesforordningen for regionalstøtte indeholder følgende generelle og specifikke betingelser med hensyn til foreneligheden af støtte, der tildeles initialinvesteringer:
The Commission understands that ValDeal's project aimed at ‘the development [of a] whole process, the creation of the model’.
Generelle betingelser:
While ValDeal did use interaction with its customers to understand the Hungarian market and to adapt the acquired consultancy model to its specificities, the outcome of such an activity was the introduction on this market of an existing advisory model which integrated various services which were until then provided separately by different suppliers.
»indgivelse af en støtteansøgning, inden arbejdet påbegyndes«: ValDeal indgav sin støtteansøgning til de nationale myndigheder, inden investeringsprojektet blev påbegyndt.
In fact, ValDeal played the role of an integrator of services corresponding to the needs of its customers.
»støtten ydes i regionalstøtteberettigede områder.« Støtten blev ydet i en regionalstøtteberettiget region, eftersom den centrale ungarske region, hvor ValDeal ligger, på det tidspunkt, hvor støtten blev ydet, var en regionalstøtteberettiget region i henhold til artikel 107, stk. 3, litra a), i TEUF.
Therefore, the claimed adjustments to the ‘socio-cultural differences and economic impacts.’ prevailing on the Hungarian market do not seem to be relevant to the question whether ValDeal's activities qualified as R & D projects.
»støtteintensiteten i bruttosubventionsækvivalent overstiger ikke det regionale støtteloft, der på det tidspunkt, hvor støtten ydes, gælder for den region, hvor investeringen gennemføres.
The implemented model was meant to create and stimulate research and development and innovation within other entities, and not within ValDeal itself.
Dette kan forhøjes med 20 % for små virksomheder«: Støtteloftet var 40 % i den centrale ungarske region, som sammen med den tilladte forhøjelse for små virksomheder nåede en støtteintensitet på 60 % for ValDeal.
The adaptation of the model to match the requirements of a specific market is not something specific to ValDeal, but ordinary economic behaviour on the part of any economic player looking to enter a market.
I 2006 var ValDeal en mikrovirksomhed.
The above-mentioned model seems to be a simple and usual customisation which is undertaken by any economic player aiming at performing on a specific market.
Siden 2007 har den været en lille virksomhed.
The claimed ‘realistic picture of the market value of the results of innovative projects as well as their marketability’ that ValDeal was capable of providing to its beneficiaries was not in itself any different from the services rendered by similar consulting service providers, and in any case cannot be considered R & D.
De ungarske myndigheder bekræftede, at ValDeal på det tidspunkt, hvor støtten blev ydet, var en lille eller mellemstor virksomhed.
While it could be true that at the time of granting the aid the Hungarian economic landscape was somewhat different from that of any other country, this argument is not sufficient to claim that the activities had R & D elements.
Specifikke betingelser:
From this perspective, ValDeal did not act in a different way from any provider of services or goods.
»investeringerne skal forblive i den støttemodtagende region for SMV'ers vedkommende i mindst tre år«: En række virksomheder har været begunstiget af resultaterne af investeringen, og den integrerede ungarske model for innovationsstyring er tilgængelig løbende.
Its uniqueness stands in the capacity to integrate and coordinate several services the beneficiaries were looking for, or in the absence of the Project, services that they would not have contracted otherwise.
ValDeal påtog sig at forblive i drift indtil den 30. november 2013.
Although ValDeal refers to the Frascati Manual, the nature of its activity was not that of research aimed at the identification of an innovative product, but a form of customisation of an existing product, combined with systematic analytical work carried out within the framework of its service supply activities.
»for at være støtteberettigede skal immaterielle aktiver:
In particular, ValDeal acquired know-how from third parties and confined itself to adapting it to the Hungarian market.
udelukkende udnyttes i den virksomhed, der modtager regionalstøtten
In the light of the above, the Commission concludes that, while fostering innovation by the final users of ValDeal's services, the activities at issue could not qualify as R & D projects within the meaning of the R & D&I Framework of 1996.
være afskrivningsberettigede
Therefore, the Commission will assess whether the State aid can be considered compatible with the internal market under other policy objectives in accordance with Article 107 TFEU.
være erhvervet fra tredjemand på markedsvilkår
In order to carry out such an assessment, the Commission acknowledges the arguments invoked by the Hungarian authorities whereby the aid at issue should be analysed at two levels.
være opført blandt virksomhedens aktiver og forblive i den virksomhed, der har modtaget regionalstøtten, i tre år for SMV'ers vedkommende«
Firstly, at the level of ValDeal, the Commission will analyse the aid designed to cover the costs of its investments in tangible and intangible assets, linked to the purchase and use (subject to adaptation) of the relevant model for the provision of innovation advisory and consultancy services to SMEs.
Den knowhow, som ValDeal har erhvervet, opfyldte kriterierne for immaterielle aktiver i gruppefritagelsesforordningen for regionalstøtte.
Secondly, at the level of ValDeal customers, the analysis will focus on the aid granted to those companies and private individuals which benefited from innovation advisory and consultancy services provided by ValDeal free of charge.
Denne knowhow blev erhvervet af en tredjepart til markedspris.
Compatibility under different instruments
Derudover blev den erhvervede knowhow og den kapitaliserede eksperimentelle udvikling udelukkende anvendt af ValDeal og udelukkende i den facilitet, som blev oprettet til gennemførelsen af investeringsprojektet.
The activities carried out by ValDeal fulfil the material requirements of Article 4 (i.e. general and specific) of Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 (Regional Aid Block Exemption).
»når støtten beregnes på grundlag af materielle eller immaterielle investeringsomkostninger eller på grundlag af købsprisen ved overtagelser, skal støttemodtageren yde et finansielt bidrag på mindst 25 % af de støtteberettigede omkostninger, enten over sine egne midler eller ved ekstern finansiering i en form, der ikke indebærer offentlig støtte«: Beregningerne vedrørende støtteintensitet bekræfter, at kravet om egne midler også blev opfyldt.
Article 4 of the Regional Aid Block Exemption Regulation contains the following general and specific conditions in respect of the compatibility of aid granted to initial investments:
Efter indledningen af proceduren har Kommissionen med de erhvervede oplysninger navnlig kunnet identificere og beregne de relevante støtteberettigede omkostninger og verificere, om intensiteten af den støtte, som er ydet til ValDeal, overskrider de tildelte støtteintensiteter.
general conditions:
Selv om de ungarske myndigheder antog, at alle ovennævnte omkostninger var støtteberettigede, er Kommissionen af den mening, at nogle af disse omkostninger, navnlig vedrørende »tilpasning af knowhow« er af driftsmæssig art og dermed ikke støtteberettigede.
‘filing a request for aid prior to the commencement of operation’: ValDeal filed its application for aid with the national authorities prior to the commencement of the investment project;
Kommissionen har dermed fratrukket omkostningerne til »tilpasning af knowhow« på 531300170 HUF fra de samlede omkostninger.
‘the aid is granted in regions eligible for regional aid’: The aid was granted in a region eligible for regional aid, as the Central Hungarian Region, where the premises ValDeal are located, was at the time when the aid was granted a region eligible for aid under Article 107(3)(a) TFEU;