Best Patent Lawyers in Thivais

About Patent Law in Thivais, Greece

Patent protection in Thivais operates under Greek national law, which applies uniformly across the country. If you live or do business in Thivais, your patent rights are created and enforced under the same legal framework as in Athens or Thessaloniki. Patents give you the exclusive right to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing your invention in Greece for a limited period, typically 20 years, in exchange for public disclosure of the invention. You can pursue protection through a Greek national patent, a European patent designating Greece, or an international route via the Patent Cooperation Treaty with later national or regional phase entry.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many inventors and companies in Thivais seek legal help to assess whether an idea is patentable, to prepare a strong patent application with clear claims, and to choose the right filing route and timing, especially if they plan to market in multiple countries. A lawyer or qualified patent professional can conduct prior art searches, draft and prosecute your application, manage deadlines and fees, and coordinate filings with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation and the European Patent Office. You may also need counsel to negotiate licenses, transfer rights to investors or partners, handle employee invention policies, and enforce your rights through warning letters, customs actions, or court proceedings. In case of a dispute, a lawyer helps you obtain preliminary injunctions, collect evidence, defend against infringement claims, or challenge a competitor’s patent.

Local Laws Overview

Greek patent law is primarily set by Law 1733-1987 and subsequent amendments, along with European and international treaties that Greece has joined. Patentable subject matter must be new, involve an inventive step, and be capable of industrial application. Certain subject matter is excluded, such as discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, business methods as such, software as such, methods of treatment or diagnosis for humans or animals, plant varieties and animal breeds, and essentially biological processes. Greece recognizes utility model certificates for technical inventions of a three dimensional nature with a shorter term than patents, which can be a faster and more economical option for some products.

Filing options include a national application at the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation, a European patent via the European Patent Office with later validation in Greece, or an international application via the Patent Cooperation Treaty with later entry into the European or Greek phase. The application language for a national filing is Greek, with limited facilities for filing in another language followed by a Greek translation within a set time. Substantive examination and a search are part of the prosecution process, and official fees and annual renewal fees apply to keep rights in force. The standard patent term is 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annuities. Supplementary Protection Certificates may extend protection for certain pharmaceutical and plant protection products, subject to eligibility.

Ownership and employee inventions are regulated by Greek law. Inventions made in the course of employment duties typically belong to the employer, with provisions for fair remuneration to the employee in some situations. Free time inventions may still trigger certain employer rights if connected to company activities or resources. Assignments and licenses should be in writing and recorded with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation to be effective against third parties. Enforcement includes civil actions for injunctions, damages, and destruction of infringing goods, as well as measures at the border through customs. Patent litigation is often centralized in specialized courts in larger cities, but right holders in Thivais can work with local counsel to initiate protective steps and coordinate filings in the competent venues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes an invention patentable in Greece

An invention must be new worldwide, involve an inventive step that is not obvious to a skilled person, and be industrially applicable. Public disclosures by anyone before filing, including by the inventor, generally destroy novelty, subject to narrow exceptions such as certain official exhibition disclosures or evident abuse within a limited time window. A prior art search helps assess these criteria before filing.

Can I patent software in Greece

Software as such is excluded. However, computer implemented inventions that provide a technical solution to a technical problem may be patentable if they meet novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Claims must be drafted to focus on the technical aspects and real world effects, not on abstract algorithms or business logic alone.

Should I file nationally, at the European Patent Office, or via the PCT

If your market is Greece only, a national filing can be cost effective. If you seek protection across multiple European countries, a European patent through the EPO offers centralized examination and later country by country validation, including Greece. If you need time to evaluate markets or investors, a PCT application buys up to 30 or 31 months before choosing national or regional phases, including the EPO and Greece. Choice depends on budget, timelines, and target markets.

How long does the patent process take

Timelines vary with workload, complexity, and the route chosen. A national Greek patent commonly takes several years from filing to grant. A utility model may be obtained faster for suitable subject matter. European and PCT pathways have their own schedules. Careful management of office actions and deadlines can shorten or at least streamline the process.

Do I need a lawyer or patent attorney to file

Greek residents can file on their own, but the technical and legal complexity makes professional representation highly advisable. Non resident applicants must appoint a representative in Greece. A lawyer or registered patent professional ensures proper drafting, timely responses, and compliance with language and formality requirements.

What are the costs involved

Costs include official filing fees, search and examination fees, translation costs for Greek language filings, professional fees for drafting and prosecution, and annual renewal fees to maintain the patent. Complex technologies and broader claim sets typically increase costs. A staged budget plan can align expenses with product milestones and funding.

What is a utility model certificate

A utility model in Greece protects three dimensional technical inventions that provide functional improvement. It generally has a shorter term than a patent and can be faster to obtain. It is useful for products with shorter lifecycles or when speed to protection is important. The rights are enforceable but the validity threshold and scope differ from patents.

Who owns employee and university inventions

As a default, inventions created in the execution of employment duties belong to the employer, often with statutory or contractual remuneration to the inventor. Inventions made with company resources or know how but outside strict duties may trigger shared rights or employer options. University and research institution inventions are usually governed by specific statutes and internal policies, with technology transfer offices managing ownership and licensing. Written agreements should clarify these points early.

How do I enforce my patent in Thivais

Enforcement usually starts with evidence gathering and a cease and desist letter. If needed, you can seek a preliminary injunction to stop infringement quickly and then pursue a full action for damages and permanent relief. Customs measures can target infringing imports. Although specialized IP courts are located in larger cities, your local lawyer in Thivais can coordinate filings in the competent courts and handle on the ground steps such as inspections or affidavits.

What if I already disclosed my invention

Early disclosure can jeopardize patentability. Greek and European systems have very limited grace periods, for example for evident abuse or certain official exhibitions, and they are narrow and time bound. If you have disclosed, consult a lawyer immediately to assess whether any exception applies and to plan an urgent filing strategy in Greece and abroad.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation OBI provides national patent and utility model services, registers assignments and licenses, and offers guidance on procedures. The European Patent Office EPO handles European patent applications that can be validated in Greece. The World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO administers the Patent Cooperation Treaty for international filings. The Ministry of Development and Investments and its General Secretariat for Industry oversee innovation policy and certain aspects of technology transfer. Hellenic Customs can assist with border enforcement against infringing imports. For local business support, the Boeotia Chamber of Commerce and Industry can help connect innovators with advisors and programs. For legal representation, the Bar Association of Thebes can provide referrals to qualified local lawyers with intellectual property experience.

Next Steps

Document your invention thoroughly with dated records and prepare non confidential summaries for discussions under a confidentiality agreement. Avoid any further public disclosure until you have a filing date. Speak with a Greek patent professional to run a prior art search, assess patentability, and choose the right filing route national, European, or PCT. Map a filing timeline that aligns with your product launch and funding, including translations and foreign filings within priority deadlines. Set a budget for drafting, prosecution, and renewals, and decide whether a utility model or a patent best fits your goals. If you anticipate infringement issues, plan enforcement and customs strategies early and preserve evidence. For innovators in Thivais, start by contacting a local lawyer or patent representative who can coordinate with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation and, where appropriate, the European Patent Office, and guide you through protection, commercialization, and enforcement in Greece.