Best Copyright Lawyers in Thivais

About Copyright Law in Thivais, Greece

Copyright in Greece protects original literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, software, architectural, photographic, and other creative works from the moment they are created and fixed in a tangible or digital form. There is no registration requirement. In Thivais, which sits within the Boeotia regional unit, the same national and EU rules apply. Local issues do arise, for example the use of music in hospitality venues, the licensing of images and video from archaeological sites and museums, and the resolution of disputes in the local courts of first instance with possible transfer to specialized sections in Athens for complex matters.

Greek law grants two groups of rights. Economic rights allow the author to control uses such as reproduction, distribution, communication to the public, making available online, adaptation and translation, rental and lending. Moral rights are particularly strong in Greece and include the right of attribution, integrity, disclosure of the work to the public, access to copies for certain purposes, and withdrawal under conditions. Moral rights are non transferable and can be enforced by the author and their heirs even if economic rights are licensed or assigned.

Greece follows the EU framework, so rules on exceptions and limitations, platform responsibilities, text and data mining, press publishers rights, and enforcement reflect EU directives and case law. Protection generally lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, with different durations for related rights such as performers, phonogram producers, and broadcasters.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal help if you receive a cease and desist letter alleging infringement, if a platform removes your content after a complaint, or if you discover your photos, designs, recordings, or software are being used without permission. A lawyer can assess infringement, prepare effective notices, and pursue takedown, blocking, or court measures.

Businesses in Thivais often need guidance on licensing. Cafes, bars, gyms, retail stores, and event organizers typically require public performance licenses for music. Schools, agencies, and tourism operators may need permission to use images or video of archaeological sites and museum collections. A lawyer can identify the correct collective management organization or rights holder and secure compliant licenses.

Contracts are another frequent trigger. Commissioned logos and designs, collaboration agreements among musicians or filmmakers, employment created works, and software developed for clients all raise ownership and licensing questions. Clear written terms prevent later disputes. A lawyer can draft or review agreements to define scope, duration, territory, fees, and moral rights issues under Greek law.

In the digital environment, online platforms, creators on social media, and startups face rules on user generated content, notice and takedown, and automated filtering under EU and Greek law. Legal advice helps calibrate terms of use, repeat infringer policies, and responses to claims. For exporters and e commerce, a lawyer can coordinate cross border enforcement and customs actions.

Local Laws Overview

The core statute is Law 2121 of 1993 on Copyright, Related Rights, and Cultural Matters, as amended many times to transpose EU directives. Collective management and licensing practices are governed by Law 4481 of 2017. Greece has implemented the EU Digital Single Market directives, which introduced text and data mining exceptions, a new right for press publishers, and special rules for online content sharing platforms.

Protection is automatic. There is no official public registry for copyright in Greece. Ownership can be evidenced with dated drafts, emails, invoices, deposit with a notary, digital timestamps from trusted services, or deposit with professional associations. Registration of a trade mark or domain name does not grant copyright.

Economic rights include reproduction, distribution, rental and lending, communication to the public, making available online, public performance, and adaptation such as translations, arrangements, and audiovisual versions. Moral rights are non transferable. Authors may authorize certain uses, but they retain the ability to claim authorship and object to derogatory treatment of their work, subject to good faith contract performance.

Duration for authorial works is life of the author plus 70 years. For joint works, the term runs from the last surviving author. For audiovisual works the term runs from the death of principal contributors such as the director and writers. Related rights for performers and phonogram producers are generally 70 years under EU rules. Original photographs are protected as authorial works.

Exceptions and limitations are specific and closed list. Greece does not have a fair use doctrine. Common exceptions include private copying subject to a device levy, quotation with source and fair practice, reporting of current events, certain educational and research uses, uses by libraries archives and museums, parody or pastiche, temporary technical copies, and text and data mining in defined circumstances. Freedom of panorama is limited in Greece, so commercial use of images of public artworks or certain monuments may require permission.

Digital platforms have duties under EU and Greek law. Online content sharing services that store and give public access to large amounts of user uploads have to seek licenses and operate notice and takedown, along with measures to prevent re uploads of notified infringements. There is an administrative committee under the Hellenic Copyright Organization that can order internet access providers to block access to clearly infringing sites and services after a complaint and review process.

Licensing and transfers of economic rights must be in writing to be fully effective. Ambiguities are interpreted narrowly in favor of the author. Employer employee rules vary. As a general rule the employee author retains copyright unless the contract or law provides otherwise. For computer programs created by an employee in the course of duties, the economic rights typically vest in the employer. For journalistic works and contributions to periodicals, the publisher obtains a limited license for the usual exploitation of the publication.

Collective management organizations administer rights for many uses such as public performance of music, reprography, performers rights, and audiovisual producers rights. Businesses that play recorded music in public premises in Thivais usually need licenses from the relevant music CMOs. Invoices and compliance documents should be kept for inspections.

Enforcement options include civil actions for injunctions, provisional measures, seizure of infringing goods, damages or reasonable royalty, and publication of judgments. Willful infringement on a commercial scale may trigger criminal liability. Greek customs can detain suspected counterfeit or pirated goods at the border under EU border measures. The Cyber Crime Division of the Hellenic Police investigates online piracy and related offenses.

Special rules apply to cultural heritage. Commercial filming and professional photography in archaeological sites, museums, and monuments typically require permits and fees from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. Thivais and its surroundings include important heritage locations, so creators and tour operators should plan permits in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my copyright in Greece to be protected

No. Protection arises automatically when an original work is created and fixed. There is no official copyright registry. You should keep dated evidence of creation and authorship, for example drafts, emails, invoices, or a notarial deposit or trustworthy digital timestamp.

Can I use photos of ancient sites in Thivais on my business website

It depends. Personal non commercial use is usually unproblematic. Commercial use, professional photography, and filming at archaeological sites or museums can require prior permission and fees from the competent authority. If a recognizable artwork or exhibition is included, you may also need permission from the rights holder. Seek permits and legal advice before publishing commercially.

Is there fair use in Greece

Greece does not have fair use. It has specific exceptions and limitations listed in the law. If your situation does not fall within one of these, you generally need a license. Common exceptions include quotation with attribution, news reporting, certain educational uses, private copying with levy, parody, and temporary technical copies.

Do I need a license to play music in my cafe or gym in Thivais

Yes. Public performance of recorded music requires licenses from the relevant collective management organizations that represent authors, performers, and producers. Inspections are routine, and unpaid licensing can lead to claims or injunctions. A lawyer can help you determine the right CMOs and negotiate fees.

Who owns a logo or photo made by a freelancer I hired

By default the freelancer owns the copyright unless the contract assigns economic rights or grants an exclusive license. Always use a written agreement that clearly transfers the needed rights, covers territory and duration, addresses moral rights issues such as attribution, and includes warranties and indemnities.

What should I do if someone copied my work online

Preserve evidence with dated screenshots and URLs. Send a clear infringement notice to the platform or host requesting removal. Contact the infringer if appropriate. For persistent or large scale infringement, a lawyer can escalate to the administrative site blocking process or file for court injunctions. Avoid making admissions or threats without advice.

How long does copyright last in Greece

For authorial works, protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, counted from the end of the year of death. For joint works, the term runs from the death of the last surviving co author. Related rights such as performers and phonogram producers have their own durations, generally up to 70 years under EU rules.

Can I use images or music from social media if I credit the creator

Credit alone is not sufficient. Unless the content is under a license that allows your intended use, or an applicable exception applies, you need permission. Many social media terms give the platform certain rights, not users. Always check the license and obtain consent if needed.

What is the private copying levy and does it affect me

Greek law imposes a levy on certain devices and media that can reproduce works, for example storage media and multifunction devices. The levy funds compensation to rights holders. Consumers and businesses usually pay it indirectly in the product price. It does not authorize commercial copying or distribution.

As an employee software developer, do I own the code I write at work

For computer programs created by an employee in the course of employment duties, the economic rights typically vest in the employer by law, unless agreed otherwise. Moral rights remain with the author. For non software works, default rules differ, so review your contract and seek advice.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Copyright Organization. The national authority supervising copyright and collective management organizations. It administers the online infringement committee that can order internet service providers to block access to infringing sites and services.

Ministry of Culture and Sports. Competent for cultural heritage permits, including professional photography and filming in archaeological sites and museums, and for broader policy on copyright and related rights.

Collective Management Organizations. Examples include music CMOs for authors and publishers, performers and producers CMOs for neighboring rights, and a CMO for book authors and publishers. These organizations license public performance, reproduction, and other uses in Greece, including venues in Thivais.

Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division. Investigates online piracy and related offenses. Useful for criminal complaints in serious cases.

Customs IPR Units of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue. Handle border measures for suspected counterfeit and pirated goods. Rights holders can file applications to enable detentions.

Notaries Public in Greece. Offer notarial deposit and time stamping services that can help evidence authorship and dates of creation or possession.

Local Bar Associations and the courts of first instance in Boeotia. Provide lawyer directories and procedural information relevant to filing or defending copyright cases arising in Thivais.

Next Steps

Clarify your objective. Decide whether you want to stop an infringement, obtain a license, regularize your business use of content, or prepare to publish your own work safely. Different aims call for different strategies and deadlines.

Gather evidence. Save original files, drafts, metadata, contracts, invoices, screenshots, and any correspondence. Keep a simple timeline of what happened and when. Do not alter or publish sensitive evidence before getting advice.

Assess risk before acting. If you are using third party content, pause questionable uses until you understand the licensing status. If you received a demand letter, do not ignore it, but avoid admissions or payments before a legal assessment.

Speak with a qualified lawyer familiar with Greek copyright and the realities in Thivais. Bring your evidence, any contracts, and a list of questions. Ask about available quick measures such as platform takedowns, interim injunctions, or administrative site blocking, and about costs and timelines.

Secure licenses where needed. For music in venues, contact the appropriate CMOs and obtain written proof of coverage. For images of cultural heritage, apply for permits from the competent authority before commercial publication. For collaborations and commissions, sign clear written agreements that address ownership and moral rights.

Consider alternative dispute resolution. Mediation can resolve licensing and authorship disputes faster and at lower cost. If settlement is not possible, your lawyer can file for urgent measures in court or coordinate enforcement with authorities and customs.

Review compliance going forward. Implement an internal clearance checklist, maintain a content inventory with licenses and expiry dates, and create a simple process for handling infringement notices. This reduces legal exposure and costs over time.

This guide provides general information, not legal advice. For a solution tailored to your situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Greece who can advise based on the facts and current law.