Best Copyright Lawyers in Arta

About Copyright Law in Arta, Greece

Copyright in Arta follows Greek and European Union rules. It protects original literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, software, architectural, photographic, and other creative works. Protection arises automatically upon creation, without any filing. Greek law recognizes both economic rights, such as reproduction and public communication, and moral rights, such as attribution and integrity. Because Greece is an EU member, EU directives inform many details, including online uses and platform responsibilities. Day to day, creators, businesses, cultural organizations, schools, and event organizers in Arta rely on these rules when commissioning works, publishing content, operating websites, or playing music in public spaces.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A local copyright lawyer can help you avoid disputes and resolve them efficiently. Common situations include clearing rights for a business website or social media campaign, drafting licenses for commissioned works such as logos, photos, videos, or software, and choosing or complying with Creative Commons and open source terms. Businesses in Arta often need guidance on music licensing for shops, cafes, hotels, gyms, or festivals, and on audiovisual screening rights for events. Creators may need help proving authorship, registering with an appropriate collective management organization, or negotiating publishing and production agreements. When problems arise, lawyers handle cease and desist letters, evidence preservation, take down requests, court injunctions, and settlement negotiation. They also advise on employee and contractor works, privacy considerations when monitoring infringement, and cross border issues within the EU.

Local Laws Overview

Core statute. Greek Copyright Law 2121 of 1993, as amended, is the main statute. It has been updated to reflect EU directives, including rules for online platforms and press publications. It defines protected works, lists exclusive economic rights, and safeguards moral rights. It also sets out exceptions for uses in teaching, research, libraries, quotation, private copying, temporary technical copies, use by persons with disabilities, reporting of current events, and certain uses by public authorities.

Moral rights. Moral rights such as attribution and integrity are strong under Greek law. They remain with the author even if economic rights are assigned. After an author’s death, moral rights pass to heirs. Contractual arrangements can regulate how moral rights are exercised, but complete waiver is generally not permitted.

Ownership and employment. The author is the first owner. For employee created works, the employer typically acquires only the economic rights necessary for the employer’s usual activities, unless a contract grants more. For computer programs created by employees in the course of duties, the employer normally acquires the economic rights. Commissioned works are not automatically owned by the client, so written agreements are important.

Duration. As a rule, economic rights last for the life of the author plus 70 years. Joint works last 70 years after the death of the last surviving co author. Related rights for performers and producers and the sui generis database right have their own statutory terms.

Exceptions and limitations. Greece uses a closed list of specific exceptions rather than a general fair use clause. Typical permitted uses include quotation with attribution, private copying for personal use subject to levies, illustration for teaching, and certain library and archival uses. Each exception has conditions, such as lawful access, proportionality, and no conflict with normal exploitation.

Collective management and levies. Collective management organizations administer rights and collect royalties on behalf of creators and producers. Greece also applies private copying levies on certain devices and media. Collective management is regulated to ensure transparency and dispute resolution mechanisms for tariffs and licensing terms.

Enforcement. Rights holders can seek preliminary and permanent injunctions, damages or reasonable royalties, delivery up or destruction of infringing copies, and information on the origin and distribution networks. Criminal penalties may apply for willful infringement at a commercial scale. Customs measures can help stop import of infringing goods. For online infringement, notice and take down and court ordered blocking are available. Evidence can be preserved via notarial deposit, qualified time stamping, or a bailiff’s report capturing online content.

Local practice in Arta. Disputes are handled by the Arta courts according to value and subject matter, including requests for urgent injunctions. The Arta Bar Association can help you identify lawyers with copyright expertise. For public events, organizers typically coordinate with municipalities for permits and with collective management organizations for music or audiovisual licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does copyright protect in Greece

Copyright protects original expressions such as books, articles, photographs, paintings, music, films, choreography, software code, websites, architectural plans, and databases with original selection or arrangement. Ideas, methods, and facts are not protected, only the creative expression of them.

Do I need to register my work to be protected

No. Protection arises automatically when the work is created and fixed in a tangible or digital form. There is no mandatory registration system. For proof of authorship and date, creators often use a notarial deposit, a bailiff’s protocol, or a qualified electronic time stamp. Keep drafts and source files as evidence.

How long does copyright last

Economic rights generally last for the life of the author plus 70 years. For joint works, the term runs from the death of the last surviving author. Related rights such as performers and phonogram producers have separate terms set by law. After expiry, the work enters the public domain, but certain moral rights considerations may still affect how the work is presented.

Can I use images or music I find online if I credit the author

Not by default. Crediting the author does not replace the need for permission unless an exception applies or the work is licensed for your intended use. Check the license terms for Creative Commons or other licenses and follow the conditions, such as attribution and non commercial use. When in doubt, obtain a license.

I commissioned a logo in Arta - who owns it

Unless your contract says otherwise, the designer owns the copyright and you receive only the rights implied by the purpose of the commission. To avoid problems, sign a written agreement that transfers or licenses the specific rights you need, including adaptation and use across media and territories.

What counts as fair use in Greece

Greek law does not use a fair use doctrine. It relies on specific exceptions and limitations, for example quotation with attribution, private copying for personal use with levies, illustration for teaching, and certain library uses. Each exception has conditions. If your use does not fit an exception, you need permission.

What are the penalties for infringement

Courts can order injunctions to stop the infringing activity, award damages or a reasonable royalty, and require delivery up or destruction of infringing copies. Willful infringement can lead to criminal prosecution with fines and potential imprisonment. In addition, platforms may remove content or suspend accounts after valid notices.

How do I license music for my business or event in Arta

Public performance of music, whether live or recorded, requires a license from the relevant collective management organization that represents the repertoire you will use. This applies to shops, cafes, hotels, gyms, and events. Provide details about the premises, audience size, and type of use to receive an appropriate tariff. For audiovisual screenings, you may need separate film or TV rights.

What should I do if someone is infringing my work online

Preserve evidence with dated screenshots, URLs, and where possible a bailiff’s report or qualified time stamp. Send a clear notice to the platform specifying the work, the infringing material, and your rights. Consider a cease and desist letter. If the infringement continues or causes significant harm, consult a lawyer in Arta to pursue injunctions and damages.

What is the difference between copyright, trademark, and patent

Copyright protects original creative works and arises automatically. Trademarks protect signs that distinguish goods or services and require registration for stronger protection. Patents protect technical inventions that are new, involve an inventive step, and are industrially applicable. The three are distinct and may be used together, for example a software product may involve copyright in code, a trademark for branding, and a patent for a technical feature.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Copyright Organization. The national authority overseeing copyright policy, supervision of collective management organizations, and dispute resolution functions for collective licensing matters.

Ministry of Culture and Sports. Responsible for cultural policy and copyright related legislation.

Arta Bar Association. Local professional body that can provide referrals to lawyers with copyright expertise in Arta.

Collective Management Organizations. EDEM for musical works, OSDEL for authors and book publishers, and GEA for performers and producers offer licensing and distribute royalties. Other sector specific organizations may apply depending on the repertoire.

Greek Customs and Financial Police. Authorities involved in enforcement against commercial scale infringement and counterfeit goods.

Civil Courts of Arta. Local courts that handle injunctions, damages claims, and other civil procedures related to copyright disputes.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals. Identify whether you need to prevent use, obtain a license, monetize your content, or defend against a claim. Write down the scope of rights or the problem, including territories, duration, and media.

Preserve and organize evidence. Keep dated files, contracts, invoices, emails, and drafts. For online issues, capture screenshots and URLs, and consider a bailiff’s report or notarial deposit for stronger evidentiary value.

Review your contracts. Check any agreements with employees, freelancers, agencies, and platforms. Confirm who owns economic rights and how moral rights are addressed. If there is no written contract, do not assume you own the rights.

Seek local legal advice. Contact a copyright lawyer in Arta or ask the Arta Bar Association for a referral. A lawyer can assess your position, outline risks and remedies, and draft or negotiate licenses and settlements tailored to Greek and EU law.

Engage with the right organizations. For music or audiovisual uses, approach the relevant collective management organization early to obtain licenses. For education or cultural projects, verify if an exception applies and what conditions you must respect.

Act proportionately. Start with notices and negotiation where appropriate. For urgent or serious harm, your lawyer can request a preliminary injunction in the Arta courts and coordinate with platforms or authorities.

Plan for compliance. Put in place internal policies for content creation and clearance, staff training, record keeping, and vendor agreements. This reduces the risk of disputes and improves your negotiating position if issues arise.

This guide is for general information only. For advice on your specific situation in Arta, consult a qualified lawyer.