Trademarks and Intellectual property in Greece are regulated under both Greek and European law. Through the trademark registration process, the owner of a trademark can register a trademark in Greece. This protects the product or service which they provide from any Intellectual Property infringements.
Through Greece’s robust legal framework, registering your trademark will ensure similar trademarks and products will be prevented from registering in Greece.
For some of our clients, as part of the company set up process, we also register their trademarks with the respective local institutions to ensure they are fully protected and ready to operate.
Both greek residents, greek companies and foreigners can file for trademark registration in Greece. The relevant law is Greek Law 4072/2012, Law 213/1975, Law 2505/1997, Law 2290/1995. The Directorate of Commercial and Industrial Property (essentially the Trademark Office) is responsible for intellectual property matters. In addition, Greece is a signatory to the Madrid Protocol on the International Registration of Trademarks. You can register single class and multiple class trademarks in Greece.
What can you trademark in Greece?
In Greece a trademark can comprise of words, images, letters, numbers, names, shapes, sounds, slogans, patterns, combinations of any of these elements.
What documents are required for trademark registration in Greece?
In order to file a trademark registration in Greece, you require:
- The image of the trademark
- The list of goods and/or services which are covered by the trademark
- The identity and contact details of the application or if we file the trademark application for you, we will require a power of attorney.
The trademark application process in Greece
- Check whether your trademark is eligible to be registered in Greece get in touch with our team who will help you with this)
- Complete the online registration procedure with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI)
- Prepare and submit the correct documentation including the application form, proof of payment for the registration fee, company incorporation certificates (if required), any relevant power of attorneys.
Where a trademark has been registered for protection at the European Union (EU) level, there are no additional requirements for registering the trademark in Greece.
Once the trademark is submitted, there is a three-month period where a company can raise concerns. Once this time has passed you can register the trademark for 10 years. Generally speaking, the entire process takes approximately six months from start to finish assuming there are no objections.
Our trademark registration service in Greece
Here at Tsaks Consulting, we can prepare your registration file and manage the entire registration process for you. We are also able to manage the international trademark application procedure should that be required.
The review process for trademark applications
Upon submission, the Greek authorities will review the application. They will check to ensure the registration fees are paid, ensure that the sign, mark and other key elements comply with the law, and will review the goods or service to ensure they are clearly presented. The examiner will check the legality of the trademark and review any third party submissions.
Trademark applications can be rejected for a range of reasons including:
- If the trademark is too similar to another trademark.
- If the paperwork is not correct.
- Many other reasons to do the any names and copyright issues.
Talk to our team today about how we can assist with your trademark application in Greece and other copyright and intellectual property needs.