Best Intellectual Property Lawyers in Arta

About Intellectual Property Law in Arta, Greece

Intellectual Property law in Arta operates under the same national and European Union framework that applies throughout Greece. Businesses, creators, and researchers in Arta rely on Greek statutes and EU regulations to protect inventions, brands, designs, creative works, software, trade secrets, and domain names. Although most IP registries and specialized authorities are located in Athens or operate online, individuals and companies in Arta can file applications, enforce rights, and defend against claims through local legal counsel and the regional courts. Arta has a diverse economy that includes agri-food production, textiles, crafts, tourism, and technology. Each of these sectors routinely encounters IP issues such as brand protection, packaging and labelling design, software licensing, photography and content use, and counterfeiting prevention.

Enforcement actions can be brought before the competent civil and criminal courts based on where the infringement occurs or where the defendant is located. Preliminary measures are available for urgent cases. Many filings and administrative procedures are handled electronically, and local counsel in Arta can coordinate filings before national and EU bodies.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Filing and strategy for trademarks and designs - Choosing between a Greek national trademark, an EU trademark, or an international route can affect cost, scope, and risk. A lawyer helps assess distinctiveness, avoid conflicts, and prepare strong specifications that match the real business plan.

Patents and utility models - Determining patentability, drafting claims, selecting between a Greek patent, a European patent via the EPO with later validation in Greece, or a utility model, and managing deadlines are complex tasks where professional guidance is critical.

Copyright and licensing - Creators and businesses often need tailored licenses for software, images, text, music, and audiovisual works. Greek law places strong emphasis on moral rights, so agreements require careful drafting.

Trade secrets and know-how - Setting up confidentiality policies, NDAs, and employee agreements helps preserve protection. A lawyer can design internal controls to prove secrecy and respond quickly to misappropriation.

Online content and marketplaces - Takedowns, counter-notices, and evidence preservation are key in cases involving social media, e-commerce, or app stores. Counsel can coordinate notices in Greek and English and work with platforms and customs.

Infringement disputes - From cease-and-desist letters and negotiations to preliminary injunctions and full trials, legal representation helps manage risk, timelines, and costs, including evidence such as market surveys and expert opinions.

Commercial transactions - Assignments, coexistence agreements, franchising, distribution, and R and D collaborations all rely on secure and clear IP clauses tailored to Greek and EU law.

Local Laws Overview

Copyright - Law 2121-1993 governs copyright and related rights in Greece. Protection arises automatically upon creation and covers literary works, software, music, visual arts, photography, films, databases, and more. Moral rights are strong, inalienable, and last as long as economic rights. Economic rights generally last for 70 years after the author’s death.

Trademarks - Law 4679-2020 regulates Greek trademarks. You can seek protection as a Greek national mark, an EU trademark through the EUIPO, or an international registration via the Madrid System designating Greece. Marks must be distinctive, not descriptive, and not contrary to public policy. Registration lasts 10 years and is renewable. Non-use for 5 consecutive years can lead to revocation.

Patents and utility models - Patents are primarily governed by Law 1733-1987. Patents last 20 years from filing, subject to annual fees. Utility models offer faster, simpler protection for technical solutions and typically last up to 7 years. Computer programs as such are not patentable, but computer-implemented inventions with a technical effect may be.

Industrial designs - National designs can be filed in Greece and last up to 25 years in 5-year terms. Community designs via the EU system offer broader coverage. Designs must be new and have individual character.

Trade secrets - Greece protects trade secrets in line with the EU Trade Secrets Directive. Protection applies as long as information has commercial value from secrecy and the holder takes reasonable steps to keep it confidential.

Geographical indications - Many agri-food products are protected at EU level as PDO or PGI. Producers in the wider Epirus region should assess whether their products can use or qualify for GI schemes. Misuse of GIs can trigger enforcement.

Domain names - .gr and .ελ domains are administered nationally. Trademark owners can challenge abusive domain registrations and align domain strategy with brand protection.

Ownership in employment and research - Greek law distinguishes inventions made in the course of employment from independent inventions. Employers often own service inventions, with statutory remuneration to the employee. Contracts should clarify ownership, remuneration, and publication policies, especially for university and R and D work.

Enforcement and remedies - Rights holders can seek injunctions, damages, destruction of infringing goods, and publication of judgments. Urgent cases may rely on preliminary measures. Customs can detain suspected counterfeit goods under EU border enforcement rules. Willful infringement may also lead to criminal liability.

Venue and procedure - For parties in Arta, cases typically proceed before the competent local courts based on venue rules. Some specialized IP matters or appeals may be heard in Athens or other designated courts. Many administrative filings are online and can be handled by Arta-based counsel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose between a Greek national trademark and an EU trademark

Choose a Greek national mark if your commercial activity is limited to Greece or if budget is constrained. Choose an EU trademark if you plan to operate or expand across several EU countries. An EU mark is unitary, so one obstacle in one member state can block the whole application. A lawyer can run clearance searches and advise on risk and cost.

Do I need to register copyright in Greece to be protected

No. Copyright protection is automatic upon creation. There is no official state copyright register. To secure proof of authorship and date, creators often use a notarial deposit, a trusted timestamping service, or secure escrow. Contracts and metadata practices also help preserve evidence.

What language is required for filings and court proceedings

Greek is the official language for national applications and court filings. Foreign applicants typically need a local representative. EU and international procedures have their own language regimes, but Greek translations are often required for enforcement in Greece.

How long does trademark registration take in Greece

If unopposed and without objections, national trademark registration can complete in a few months. Objections, oppositions, or appeals will extend the timeline. Planning early and responding promptly to office actions keeps the process efficient.

Can software be patented in Greece

Software as such is not patentable. However, computer-implemented inventions that solve a technical problem with a technical effect may be patentable. Source code and software documentation are protected by copyright. In practice, many software businesses combine copyright, trade secrets, and patents where appropriate.

What are typical durations of protection

Trademarks - 10 years, renewable. Patents - 20 years. Utility models - up to 7 years. Designs - up to 25 years in 5-year terms. Copyright - life of the author plus 70 years. Trade secrets - as long as the information remains secret and reasonable steps are taken to protect it.

What can I do if I find counterfeit goods in Arta

Gather evidence, buy a sample if safe to do so, preserve receipts and photos, and contact a lawyer. Your lawyer can issue a cease-and-desist letter, seek preliminary measures before the competent court, and file or update customs applications to intercept imports. Coordination with local police and customs may be possible in clear cases.

Do I need to use my trademark to keep it valid

Yes. If a registered mark is not put to genuine use for 5 consecutive years, it can be vulnerable to revocation. Keep records of sales, advertising, and market presence in Greece to prove use.

How are employee inventions handled in Greece

Inventions made in the course of employment often belong to the employer, with statutory remuneration to the employee. Independent inventions usually belong to the employee. Mixed cases can be co-owned. Clear contracts help avoid disputes, especially for R and D roles.

Will I need to travel to Athens for an IP dispute if I am based in Arta

Many matters can be handled locally before the competent courts for Arta based on venue rules. Some specialized disputes, appeals, or administrative hearings may be centralized. Your lawyer will advise on the correct forum and whether any in-person appearances are necessary.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation OBI - national authority for patents, utility models, and national designs.

Hellenic Trademarks Office within the Ministry of Development and Investments - national authority for Greek trademarks and oppositions.

European Union Intellectual Property Office EUIPO - for EU trademarks and Community designs.

European Patent Office EPO - for European patent applications later validated in Greece.

World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO - for Madrid System trademarks, PCT patents, and Hague designs.

Hellenic Copyright Organization OPI - policy and supervision of collective management, copyright information.

Hellenic Customs under the Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE - border enforcement against counterfeits.

Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission EETT - administration and dispute policies for .gr and .ελ domain names.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Arta - local business support and guidance on branding and innovation.

University and research centers in Epirus - technology transfer offices and innovation hubs for R and D collaboration and IP management.

Next Steps

Define your goals - Clarify whether you need protection in Greece only, across the EU, or internationally. Decide which assets matter most, such as brand names, logos, packaging, software, or product designs.

Audit what you already have - List all names, logos, domain names, creative works, and technical know-how. Check if existing contracts, NDAs, or licensing terms are in place and sufficient.

Run clearance checks - Before adopting a new brand or design, have a lawyer conduct searches in Greek, EU, and relevant international databases to reduce the risk of conflicts.

Select filing routes and timelines - Choose national, EU, or international filings for trademarks and designs. For inventions, assess whether to file a Greek patent, a European patent, or a utility model, and map critical deadlines and examination steps.

Harden your documentation - Keep dated evidence of creation, first use, advertising, and sales in Greece. Use notarial deposits or secure timestamps where appropriate. Align employee and contractor agreements to ensure clear IP ownership.

Set up monitoring and enforcement - Establish a watch service for new filings that may conflict with your marks, and consider customs recordation for anti-counterfeiting. Prepare a response plan for online infringements.

Consult local counsel - Speak with an IP lawyer familiar with Arta and national practice. A short early consultation often saves time and money by preventing avoidable filing or enforcement missteps.

This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation in Arta, consult a qualified lawyer who can assess your needs and represent you before the appropriate authorities and courts.