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Vouliagmeni, Greece Attorneys in related practice areas.
Intellectual Property, often called IP, is a group of legal rights that protect creations of the mind such as inventions, brand names and logos, designs, software, written and artistic works, photos, architectural plans, and trade secrets. People who live in or do business in Vouliagmeni operate within the Greek legal system, which is aligned with European Union standards. That means your IP strategy in Vouliagmeni benefits from both Greek laws and EU frameworks, with options to protect rights locally in Greece, across the EU, or internationally.
Vouliagmeni is part of the Athens metropolitan area, so filings, hearings, and enforcement actions typically run through authorities and courts based in Athens. Many attorneys and agents serving Vouliagmeni handle national filings with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation, Greek trademark authorities, and the Hellenic Copyright Organization, as well as EUIPO, EPO, and WIPO procedures where appropriate.
You may need an IP lawyer if you are launching a new product or service and want to secure a trademark for your brand name or logo, filing a patent or utility model for a technical invention, registering an industrial design for the look of your product, protecting software code or creative content, or preparing licensing, assignment, or confidentiality agreements. An attorney can help you clear potential conflicts before you invest in branding or technology, draft contracts that protect your rights, and set up a filing strategy that fits your timeline and budget.
Other common reasons include receiving an infringement notice, experiencing online copying or counterfeit sales, dealing with unauthorized use of photos, text, or music, addressing former employees who took confidential know-how, or facing a domain name dispute. In urgent cases, a lawyer can seek preliminary injunctions, court seizures, or customs measures to stop infringing goods quickly. For international businesses, counsel can coordinate parallel filings in Greece, the EU, and abroad, and advise on how Greek and EU rules interact.
Copyright. The core law is Law 2121-1993 on Copyright and Related Rights, as amended, including recent updates implementing EU directives on digital uses. Copyright arises automatically upon creation and protects literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual works, software, and databases that meet originality standards. Moral rights are strong under Greek law. The Hellenic Copyright Organization oversees policy and supervision of collective management organizations.
Trademarks. Greek trademarks are governed by Law 4679-2020, aligned with EU Directive 2015-2436. You can seek protection as a national Greek trademark or as a European Union Trade Mark via EUIPO. Greek marks are handled by the Directorate of Trademarks within the Ministry of Development and Investments. Opposition and invalidity procedures are available, and administrative decisions can be appealed to the courts.
Patents and Utility Models. Patents and utility model certificates are administered by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation, often referred to as OBI. Patents protect inventions that are new, involve an inventive step, and are industrially applicable. Utility models are available for inventions with a lower inventiveness threshold and can be granted faster. European patents designating Greece can be validated nationally after grant by the EPO.
Industrial Designs. Designs that protect the appearance of products can be registered nationally in Greece or as Registered Community Designs through EUIPO, which give EU wide protection. Designs require novelty and individual character.
Trade Secrets. Greece implements the EU Trade Secrets Directive through national law, protecting confidential business information with commercial value that is subject to reasonable secrecy measures. Enforcement focuses on unlawful acquisition, use, or disclosure and provides for injunctions and damages.
Enforcement and Procedure. IP disputes in Vouliagmeni typically fall under the jurisdiction of Athens based courts, where specialized IP chambers or designated judges hear many cases. Civil remedies include injunctions, seizure and delivery up, damages based on lost profits or infringer profits, and publication of judgments. Criminal provisions apply to willful trademark and copyright infringement. Provisional measures are available on an urgent basis.
Online and Intermediary Liability. Greek law reflects EU rules on intermediary safe harbors and court orders against intermediaries in cases of infringement. Rights holders can also pursue notice and takedown with platforms and seek dynamic blocking orders when appropriate.
Customs and Border Measures. Rights holders can apply for customs protection so Greek customs can detain suspected counterfeit goods entering or leaving the EU. Applications can be national or EU wide, and cooperation with customs is a key part of anti counterfeiting strategy.
Language and Formalities. Filings with Greek authorities are generally made in Greek. Representation by a qualified attorney or agent is common. Recording assignments and licenses with the relevant registry is advisable to make them effective against third parties.
You can file a national trademark in Greece through the Directorate of Trademarks or file a European Union Trade Mark through EUIPO for EU wide protection. Before filing, an attorney can conduct clearance searches to reduce the risk of objections or oppositions. Use in commerce is helpful, but registration gives stronger enforceable rights.
No. Copyright protection is automatic upon creation if the work is original. While registration is not required, keeping dated evidence of creation and using voluntary deposit services can help prove ownership and timing during disputes. Licensing and assignment agreements should be in writing.
A patent protects an invention that is new, involves an inventive step, and is industrially applicable, usually after substantive examination. A utility model offers quicker protection for technical solutions with a lower inventiveness threshold and typically lasts for a shorter term. Both are managed by OBI, and a lawyer can advise which route fits your invention and timelines.
If the application is straightforward and no oppositions are filed, registration can often be completed within several months. If the examiner raises objections or an opposition is filed, the process will take longer. Planning ahead is important when timing a product launch in Vouliagmeni or nationwide.
Yes. You can send takedown notices to platforms, request ISP blocking orders from Greek courts in clear cases, and pursue claims against infringers. Evidence preservation is crucial, so take timestamped screenshots and use trusted web capture tools. In serious cases, urgent measures and criminal complaints may be available.
Often yes. Even with an EU trademark or Registered Community Design, enforcement in Greece is carried out before Greek courts and authorities, and filings must comply with local procedure and language requirements. A local lawyer coordinates evidence, serves documents, and seeks court or customs measures efficiently.
Greek law provides default rules for employee inventions and employer ownership of software or works created in the course of employment, subject to contract. For contractors and freelancers, ownership usually remains with the creator unless an assignment is signed. Clear agreements help avoid disputes and should specify IP ownership, moral rights waivers where allowed, and payment terms.
Rights holders can file an application for customs action so Greek customs can detain suspected counterfeit goods. You must provide details of your rights and product identification guides. After detention, you will be notified and must confirm infringement and proceed as required. Your lawyer can manage communication and deadlines.
Yes. You can file a national design with OBI or obtain a Registered Community Design for EU wide coverage. Designs must be new and have individual character. Fast filing is important because public disclosure before filing can destroy novelty, subject to limited grace periods.
.gr and .ελ domain names are regulated by the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission, known as EETT. Disputes can be resolved through administrative procedures that assess rights and bad faith. If needed, court action in Greece remains available. Align domain strategy with your trademarks to reduce risk.
Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation OBI - National authority for patents, utility models, and designs, offers filing systems, guidelines, and public registers.
Directorate of Trademarks, Ministry of Development and Investments - Handles national trademark filings, oppositions, and renewals in Greece.
Hellenic Copyright Organization HCO - Oversees copyright policy and supervision of collective management organizations, provides guidance on copyright matters.
Greek Customs Authority - Processes applications for customs action and cooperates with rights holders to detain suspected counterfeit goods.
Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission EETT - Regulates .gr and .ελ domain names and provides dispute procedures.
European Union Intellectual Property Office EUIPO - Registers EU trademarks and Community designs that extend to Greece.
European Patent Office EPO - Grants European patents that can be validated in Greece for national effect.
World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO - Offers international filing systems such as PCT for patents and Madrid for trademarks, and Hague for designs.
Map your assets. List names, logos, product designs, inventions, software, content, and confidential know how used in your business in Vouliagmeni. Note where they are used and any launches planned in the next 6 to 12 months.
Screen for conflicts. Ask a lawyer to run clearance searches for trademarks and designs, and to assess novelty for inventions. Early checks reduce costly rebranding or filing refusals.
Choose a filing strategy. Decide whether to file nationally in Greece, EU wide, or internationally. Consider timing, budget, and enforcement goals. Prepare specimens, drawings, and descriptions that meet formal requirements in Greek or provide translations.
Put contracts in place. Use NDAs for partners and staff, and written assignments or licenses for contractors and collaborators. Record transfers and licenses with the appropriate registries so they are effective against third parties.
Plan enforcement. Set up monitoring for marketplaces, social media, and customs alerts. For urgent threats, your lawyer can prepare evidence and request interim measures from Athens courts that cover activities in Vouliagmeni.
Consult local counsel. An IP lawyer serving Vouliagmeni can give tailored advice, estimate timelines and costs, prepare filings, and coordinate with EU or international authorities. Bring any prior filings, contracts, and examples of use to your first meeting to speed up the process.
