natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Compatibility under the Treaty
V okviru projekta družbe ValDeal je bilo razvitih več metod in orodij za zbiranje, ocenjevanje in pregledovanje projektov, da bi se lahko v prihodnje dosledno uporabljali.
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.
Navedene storitve v času dodelitve sredstev še niso bile na voljo v madžarskem naboru orodij.
In this view, the amount of the aid was limited to, and did not exceed the level needed for, the realisation of the goal.
STALIŠČE ZAINTERESIRANIH STRANI
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.
Stališče družbe ValDeal
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.
Družba ValDeal je zlasti poudarila, da je za lokalna podjetja in projekte uporabila obstoječo metodologijo ter izvedla eksperimentalni razvoj novega modela integriranega upravljanja inovacij.
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.
Na preskusni podlagi je zbrala, ocenila in pregledala veliko različnih madžarskih projektov ter preverila njihovo izvedljivost.
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.
Zato družba ValDeal trdi, da je izvajala edinstveno dejavnost na madžarskem trgu.
POSITION OF INTERESTED PARTIES
Družba ValDeal je na podlagi pridobljenega strokovnega znanja trdila, da je razvila nov model upravljanja inovacij in metodologijo za upravljanje inovacij, ki ju je mogoče dosledno uporabljati na način, ki ustreza pravnemu okolju in socialno-kulturnim razmeram na Madžarskem.
Position of ValDeal
Madžarskim razmeram je bilo treba prilagoditi zlasti metodologijo za izbiro projektov, saj so bili zagonski projekti na Madžarskem zaradi drugačnih značilnosti ameriškega trga manj primerni za izbiro.
ValDeal maintained its opinion that the Project involved genuine R & D activities, eligible under the 1996 R & D&I Framework.
Poleg tega je bilo treba nadalje izboljšati metodologije za pregledovanje projektov, saj je bil ameriški model osredotočen na tržnost (tržno izkoriščenost), medtem ko je srednje- in vzhodnoevropski model zaradi drugačnih socialno-kulturnih razmer več pozornosti namenil podjetniškemu duhu in osebnosti gostiteljev projektov.
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.
Zaradi socialno-kulturnih razlik in gospodarskih razmer je bilo treba tudi temeljito prilagoditi program usposabljanja in izobraževanja za model.
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.
V zvezi z vplivom na konkurenco je družba ValDeal poudarila, da projekt ni bil namenjen oskrbi s splošnimi storitvami upravljanja, ampak si je prizadeval ustvariti nekaj resnično edinstvenega, tj. madžarski integrirani model upravljanja inovacij in z njim povezane svetovalne storitve za inovacije.
On a test basis, ValDeal collected, evaluated and screened a wide range of Hungarian projects, checking for their viability.
Družba ValDeal trdi, da v času dodelitve sredstev ni bilo trga za take storitve.
Therefore ValDeal claims that the company performed a unique activity within the Hungarian market.
Poleg tega pred začetkom leta 2013 na Madžarskem še vedno ni bilo podobnega modela oziroma storitev, namenjenih podjetniški inkubaciji malih in srednjih podjetij v zvezi z inovacijami.
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.
Družba ValDeal je trdila tudi, da v pogodbi z organom, ki je dodelil pomoč, ni bilo pravne obveznosti vložitve prošnje za patentno varstvo.
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.
Poleg tega družba ni mogla plačati pristojbine za patentno poročilo in za ta namen ni smela uporabiti pomoči.
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.
Stališče Evropske mreže poslovnih in inovacijskih centrov (EBN)
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.
EBN je Evropska mreža poslovnih in inovacijskih centrov ter podobnih organizacij, kot so inkubatorji.
Sociocultural differences and economic context had also led to an in-depth adaptation of the training and model educational agenda.
Družba ValDeal je članica te mreže.
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.
Mreža EBN je trdila [36], da je družba ValDeal na Madžarskem poskusno uporabila model, ki je bil razvit v Združenih državah Amerike, kar je vključevalo zbiranje, ocenjevanje in izbiro projektov na podlagi prvotnega strokovnega znanja.
ValDeal claims that there was no market for such services at the time of the grant.
Poleg tega je družba ValDeal po navedbah EBN opravila metodološko analizo evropskih praks na področju upravljanja inovacij, vključno s temeljito presojo, kako lastnike projektov motivirati za sodelovanje.
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.
Opravila je tudi raziskovalne in izobraževalne naloge ter razvila učinkovite in inovativne metode in orodja za zbiranje, ocenjevanje in izbiro projektov.
ValDeal argued also that under the contract with the granting authority there was no legal obligation to file for patent protection.
V naboru inovacijskih storitev na Madžarskem še ni bilo takega orodja za upravljanje inovacij.
Furthermore, the company could not afford the fee of a patent report, nor was it allowed to spend aid for such purposes.
OCENA
Position of the European Business & Innovation Centre Network (EBN)
Obstoj državne pomoči
EBN is a European network of business and innovation centres (BICs) and similar organisations such as incubators.
Da bi ukrep veljal za državno pomoč v skladu s členom 107(1) PDEU, mora izpolnjevati naslednja kumulativna merila:
ValDeal is a member of EBN.
ukrep mora vključevati uporabo državnih sredstev;
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.
ukrep mora določenim podjetjem dajati selektivno prednost in
It also performed research and education tasks and developed efficient and innovative methods and tools for project collection, evaluation and selection.
ukrep mora vplivati na trgovino med državami članicami.
Such an innovation management tool was still missing from the range of innovation services available in Hungary.
Pomoč na ravni družbe ValDeal
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.
Družba ValDeal je prejela nepovratna sredstva iz proračuna sheme državne pomoči št.
The evaluations and audits had concluded that ValDeal was in full compliance with the business and innovation centres criteria.
HU 21/2004 za leto 2006, zato Komisija ugotavlja, da je ukrep vključeval uporabo državnih sredstev in da je zanj odgovorna država.
ASSESSMENT
Družba ValDeal je bila izbrana na podlagi javnega razpisa, ki ga je organiziral sklad za raziskave in tehnološke inovacije, ter je prejela finančna sredstva za razvoj in zagotavljanje različnih svetovalnih storitev za inovacije, ki bi dopolnjevale storitve svetovalnih podjetij, patentnih zastopnikov, „poslovnih angelov“ in odvetnikov.
Existence of State aid
Zato je ukrep družbi ValDeal dal selektivno prednost.
To be considered State aid under Article 107(1) TFEU, a measure must fulfil the following four cumulative criteria:
Ukrep bi lahko izkrivljal konkurenco in vplival na trgovino med državami članicami, saj je trg, na katerem deluje družba ValDeal, odprt za konkurenco podjetij s sedeži v drugih državah članicah.
the measure must involve the use of State resources;
Poleg tega je družba ValDeal strokovno znanje na področju upravljanja inovacij kupila od ameriške Univerze v Teksasu in nemške družbe INNO AG, storitve pa je nameravala zagotavljati tudi družbam s sedeži v drugih državah srednje in vzhodne Evrope.
the measure must distort or threaten to distort competition;
Pomoč na ravni strank družbe ValDeal
the measure must confer a selective advantage on certain undertakings;
Zaradi ukrepa so stranke družbe ValDeal imele brezplačne svetovalne storitve.
the measure must affect trade between Member States.
Tako so te stranke, čeprav niso neposredno prejele državnih sredstev, dobile posredno prednost v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU, saj je bil namen ukrepa zagotavljanje brezplačnih svetovalnih storitev izumiteljem in družbam.
Aid at the level of ValDeal
Ukrep je mogoče jasno pripisati državi in vključuje državna sredstva, od katerih so imele družba ValDeal in njene stranke neposredne koristi.
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.
Družba ValDeal je izvedla proces, s katerim je najbolj zaslužne in obetavne družbe izbrala za upravičence do brezplačnih svetovalnih storitev.
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.
Zato je projekt izbranim upravičencem dal selektivno prednost in bi lahko zaradi te prednosti izkrivljal konkurenco na podrejenih trgih, na katerih so delovale stranke družbe ValDeal.
Therefore, the measure conferred a selective advantage on ValDeal.
Ukrep bi lahko vplival na trgovino med državami članicami.
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.
Kot je bilo navedeno, je družba ValDeal nameravala storitve zagotavljati družbam s sedeži v drugih državah srednje in vzhodne Evrope.
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.
Poleg tega je bil projekt namenjen izboljšanju konkurenčnosti strank družbe ValDeal na nacionalni in evropski ravni.
Aid at the level of ValDeal's customers
Zato je ukrep očitno vplival na trgovino med državami članicami.
As a result of the measure, ValDeal's customers benefited from free advisory services.
Sklepna ugotovitev
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.
Komisija ugotavlja, da ukrep pomeni državno pomoč v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU, dodeljeno družbi ValDeal in njenim strankam.
The measure is clearly imputable to the State and involves State resources, which directly benefited ValDeal and its customers.
Ocena združljivosti
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.
Pomoč družbi ValDeal
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.
Opredelitev dejavnosti družbe ValDeal kot raziskovalnih in razvojnih projektov
Thirdly, the measure is likely to affect trade between Member States.
Okvir za raziskave in razvoj ter inovacije iz leta 1996 opredeljuje vrste raziskav, ki se lahko štejejo za združljive s pravili o državni pomoči:
Moreover, as mentioned above, ValDeal also intended to provide the services to companies established in other Central and Eastern European countries.
Čeprav je družba sodelovala s svojimi strankami, da bi izboljšala svoje razumevanje madžarskega trga in prilagodila pridobljeni svetovalni model njegovim posebnostim, je bil rezultat te dejavnosti uvedba obstoječega svetovalnega modela, ki je vključeval različne storitve, ki so jih pred tem ločeno zagotavljali različni ponudniki, na madžarski trg.
In addition, the project aimed at improving the ability of ValDeal's customers to compete both at national and European level.
V bistvu je imela družba ValDeal vlogo povezovalca storitev, ki so ustrezale potrebam njenih strank.
Therefore, the measure clearly has affected trade between Member States.
Zato se zdi, da zatrjevane prilagoditve „socialno-kulturnim razlikam in gospodarskim vplivom“, ki so prevladovali na madžarskem trgu, niso pomembne za vprašanje, ali so bile dejavnosti družbe ValDeal raziskovalni in razvojni projekti.
Conclusion
Izvedeni model naj bi ustvaril in spodbudil raziskave, razvoj in inovacije v drugih subjektih, ne pa v sami družbi ValDeal.
Aid to ValDeal
Zatrjevana „realistična slika tržne vrednosti rezultatov inovativnih projektov in njihove tržnosti“, ki jo je lahko družba ValDeal zagotovila svojim upravičencem, se sama po sebi ni razlikovala od storitev podobnih ponudnikov svetovalnih storitev in je nikakor ni mogoče šteti za raziskave in razvoj.
Qualification of ValDeal's activities as R & D projects
Tudi če je bilo madžarsko gospodarsko okolje v času dodelitve pomoči res nekoliko drugačno od tistega v kateri koli drugi državi, ta argument ni dovolj za trditev, da so imele dejavnosti raziskovalne in razvojne elemente.
The R & D&I Framework of 1996 sets out definitions for the type of research that may be deemed compatible with State aid rules:
Če bi družba ValDeal delovala v drugi državi, bi morala v vsakem primeru prilagoditi svojo predlagano vrednost, kot jo mora prilagoditi vsak gospodarski subjekt.
[…] 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.’
S tega vidika družba ValDeal ni ravnala drugače, kot bi ravnal kateri koli ponudnik storitev ali blaga.
The Commission understands that ValDeal's project aimed at ‘the development [of a] whole process, the creation of the model’.
Njena edinstvenost leži v zmožnosti povezati in usklajevati več storitev, ki so jih iskali upravičenci, ali v primeru, da projekta ne bi izvedla, storitev, ki jih sicer ne bi naročili.
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.
Čeprav se družba ValDeal sklicuje na priročnik Frascati, njena dejavnost ni imela značaja raziskav, namenjenih prepoznavanju inovativnih izdelkov, ampak je bila nekakšna oblika prilagoditve obstoječega izdelka, združena s sistematičnim analitičnim delom, ki ga je družba opravila v okviru svojega izvajanja storitev.
In fact, ValDeal played the role of an integrator of services corresponding to the needs of its customers.
Družba ValDeal je predvsem pridobila strokovno znanje od tretjih oseb in se omejila na njegovo prilagoditev madžarskemu trgu.
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.
Da bi lahko opravila tako presojo, Komisija priznava argumente madžarskih organov, v skladu s katerimi bi bilo treba zadevno pomoč analizirati na dveh ravneh.
The implemented model was meant to create and stimulate research and development and innovation within other entities, and not within ValDeal itself.
Komisija bo najprej na ravni družbe ValDeal analizirala pomoč, namenjeno kritju stroškov njenih naložb v materialna in nematerialna sredstva, povezanih z nakupom in uporabo (po prilagoditvi) zadevnega modela za zagotavljanje svetovalnih storitev za inovacije malim in srednjim podjetjem.
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.
Nato bo analizo na ravni strank družbe ValDeal osredotočila na pomoč, dodeljeno tem družbam in posameznikom, ki so imeli brezplačne svetovalne storitve za inovacije, ki jih je zagotovila družba ValDeal.
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.
Združljivost na podlagi drugih instrumentov
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.
Dejavnosti, ki jih je opravljala družba ValDeal, izpolnjujejo bistvene zahteve iz člena 4 (tj. splošne pogoje in zahteve) Uredbe (ES) št. 1628/2006 (uredba o skupinskih izjemah za regionalno pomoč).
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.
Člen 4 uredbe o skupinskih izjemah za regionalno pomoč vsebuje naslednje splošne pogoje in zahteve v zvezi z združljivostjo pomoči, dodeljene za začetne naložbe:
From this perspective, ValDeal did not act in a different way from any provider of services or goods.
„vložitev prošnje za pomoč pred začetkom delovanja“: družba ValDeal je prošnjo za pomoč pri nacionalnih organih vložila pred začetkom naložbenega projekta;
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.
„pomoč se dodeli v regijah, upravičenih do regionalne pomoči“: pomoč je bila dodeljena v regiji, upravičeni do regionalne pomoči, saj je bila osrednja Madžarska, kjer ima ValDeal svoje prostore, v času dodelitve pomoči regija, upravičena do pomoči v skladu s členom 107(3)(a) PDEU;
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.
„intenzivnost pomoči v bruto ekvivalentu dotacije ne presega zgornje meje regionalne pomoči, ki velja ob času, ko je pomoč dodeljena, v regiji, v kateri je naložba izvedena.
In particular, ValDeal acquired know-how from third parties and confined itself to adapting it to the Hungarian market.
Ta zgornja meja se lahko zviša za 20 % za mala podjetja“: Zgornja meja pomoči je v regiji osrednje Madžarske znašala 40 %, kar pomeni, da je največja intenzivnost pomoči za družbo ValDeal ob upoštevanju zvišanja, dovoljenega za mala podjetja, znašala 60 %.
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.
Leta 2006 je bil ValDeal mikropodjetje.
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.
Od leta 2007 pa je malo podjetje.
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.
Madžarski organi so potrdili, da je bil ValDeal v času dodelitve pomoči malo ali srednje podjetje.
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.
Kot je prikazano v nadaljevanju (uvodni izjavi 96 in 97), je bila intenzivnost pomoči za projekt, ki ga je izvedla družba ValDeal, pod zgornjo mejo, predvideno v uredbi o skupinskih izjemah za regionalno pomoč.
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.
Zahteve:
Compatibility under different instruments
„naložba mora ostati v regiji prejemnici za vsaj tri leta v primeru MSP“: rezultati naložbe so prinesli koristi številnim podjetjem in madžarski integrirani model upravljanja inovacij je stalno na voljo.
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).
Družba ValDeal se je zavezala, da bo obratovala do 30. novembra 2013.
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:
„nematerialna sredstva so upravičena, če:
general conditions:
se uporabljajo izključno v ustanovi, ki je prejemnica regionalne pomoči;
‘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;
se obravnavajo kot sredstva, ki se amortizirajo;
‘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;
so kupljena od tretje osebe po tržnih pogojih;