Trademarks Law in Greece
Here’s a detailed overview of trademark law in Greece:
🇬🇷 Trademark Law in Greece
🔹 Governing Law
Trademark protection in Greece is governed by Law 4679/2020, which implements the European Union Trademark Regulation and incorporates national trademark laws.
Trademarks can be registered either as:
National trademarks through the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization (OBI)
European Union Trademarks (EUTM) via the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
Greece is a member of key international treaties:
Paris Convention
Madrid Protocol
European Union Trademark Regulation
TRIPS Agreement
🔹 What Can Be Registered?
Signs capable of distinguishing goods or services, including:
Words, names, letters, numerals
Logos, designs, shapes, colors
Sounds and multimedia marks
3D shapes, holograms, scents (if capable of graphical representation)
🔹 Registration Process
➤ National Trademark Registration (via OBI):
Application Filing: Submit application to OBI with details and representation of the mark.
Formal Examination: Check compliance with formal requirements.
Substantive Examination: Check distinctiveness and prior rights.
Publication: Published in the Industrial Property Bulletin for opposition (2 months).
Registration: Issued if no valid opposition or after opposition resolved.
➤ EU Trademark Registration:
Application is filed with the EUIPO.
Provides protection across all EU member states, including Greece.
🔹 Rights Granted
Exclusive rights to use the trademark on registered goods/services.
Rights to prevent unauthorized use, imitation, or infringement.
Rights to license or assign the trademark.
🔹 Duration and Renewal
National trademarks are valid for 10 years from the filing date.
Renewable indefinitely every 10 years upon payment of renewal fees.
EU trademarks follow the same 10-year renewal cycle.
🔹 Use Requirement and Cancellation
If a trademark is not genuinely used for 5 consecutive years, it may be subject to cancellation upon request.
Use must be bona fide to maintain registration.
🔹 Enforcement
Trademark infringement cases are handled by civil courts.
Remedies include injunctions, damages, destruction of infringing goods.
Customs authorities can assist in preventing import/export of counterfeit goods.
🔹 International Treaties
| Treaty | Status |
|---|---|
| Paris Convention | Member |
| Madrid Protocol | Member |
| TRIPS (WTO) | Member |
| European Union Trademark Regulation | Member |
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Law 4679/2020, EU Trademark Reg. |
| Authority | Hellenic Industrial Property Org. (OBI) |
| Duration | 10 years, renewable |
| Registration | Required |
| Use requirement | 5 years’ non-use = cancellation possible |
| Enforcement | Civil courts, customs |
| International treaties | Paris, Madrid, TRIPS, EU Reg. |
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