Best Technology Transactions Lawyers in Arta

About Technology Transactions Law in Arta, Greece

Technology transactions in Arta cover the full range of commercial dealings involving software, hardware, data, networks, and intellectual property. Typical agreements include software licensing, SaaS and cloud subscriptions, reseller and distribution relationships, maintenance and support, professional services, development and integration, data processing and data sharing, escrow and source code access, open-source compliance, and IP assignment or joint ownership. Although Arta is a regional market, companies here operate under the same national and EU legal frameworks that apply in Athens and Thessaloniki, and they often serve customers and partners across the EU and beyond. This means local transactions must align with Greek civil and commercial law, EU digital and data rules, and sector-specific standards, while also addressing practical issues such as language, governing law, and cross-border tax and compliance.

Arta hosts a mix of SMEs, tech-enabled manufacturers, agritech and foodtech businesses, and academic spin-outs tied to the regional university ecosystem. Contracts often involve public funding programs, pilots with municipalities or public bodies, and collaborations with research institutions. Getting the structure and paperwork right at the outset saves significant time and cost later, especially where IP ownership, data use, and regulatory approvals are involved.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Technology deals can appear straightforward yet hide material legal risk. A lawyer helps you identify and allocate those risks before they turn into disputes or regulatory issues. Common situations include negotiating licensing terms and usage rights, drafting SaaS agreements with robust service levels and security commitments, structuring development or integration projects to protect IP and manage change requests, ensuring lawful data processing and international transfers, navigating public procurement and compliance when selling to the public sector, safeguarding trade secrets and confidential information, aligning open-source use with distribution plans, resolving non-performance or late delivery claims, and preparing for investment or M&A due diligence where clean IP chains and compliant customer contracts are critical.

Counsel can also localize global templates to Greek and EU law, explain non-negotiable obligations under consumer and data protection rules, advise on tax and invoicing mechanics for royalties and services, and guide dispute resolution strategies in the courts of Arta or through arbitration and mediation.

Local Laws Overview

Contracts are governed by the Greek Civil Code and Commercial Law, with freedom of contract limited by mandatory rules on consumer protection, competition, employment, and data protection. Greece is part of the EU, so EU regulations and directives apply directly or are implemented through Greek statutes. In practice, the following areas are especially relevant to technology transactions in Arta.

Intellectual property - Copyright is governed primarily by Law 2121-1993. As a default, authors own economic rights unless assigned in writing. There is a specific rule for employee-created software where economic rights typically vest in the employer for software produced in the course of employment unless agreed otherwise. Patents, designs, and utility models are administered by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization. Trademarks are governed by Greek trademark law aligned with EU rules. Database rights and anti-circumvention rules follow EU directives implemented into Greek law. Trade secrets are protected under Greek legislation transposing the EU Trade Secrets Directive.

Data protection and cybersecurity - The EU GDPR applies, supervised nationally by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority. Contracts that involve personal data processing require a written data processing agreement, security and breach notification commitments, and valid transfer mechanisms for data sent outside the EEA, such as standard contractual clauses. Sector-specific rules may apply to electronic communications and critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity and network integrity are also shaped by EU directives and Greek implementing acts.

Electronic commerce and digital contracting - E-commerce conduct is governed by Greek rules implementing the EU E-commerce Directive, including information duties and liability limitations for hosting providers. Electronic signatures and trust services follow the EU eIDAS Regulation, supplemented by Greek law on digital governance, so qualified electronic signatures carry the legal effect of a handwritten signature. Clickwrap and e-sign workflows are generally enforceable if evidence of consent, identity, and integrity is maintained.

Consumer and platform rules - Business-to-consumer contracts must meet transparency and fairness standards under Greek consumer law. Unfair terms can be invalidated, especially hidden auto-renewals, unilateral changes without clear notice, or unreasonable limitations of liability. Digital content and digital service rules set quality and conformity standards toward consumers, including remedies for defects and failure to supply.

Competition and restrictive covenants - Agreements that restrict competition, such as exclusive distribution, MFN clauses, or non-compete terms, must align with Greek and EU competition law. Even small regional arrangements can attract scrutiny if they produce anti-competitive effects.

Taxes and invoicing - Royalties paid from Greece may be subject to withholding tax, typically at 20 percent unless reduced by a double tax treaty or EU rules. VAT applies to most services, including electronically supplied services, under EU place-of-supply rules. Proper invoicing under Greek accounting standards is required for cross-border and domestic deals.

Public procurement - Selling technology to municipalities, hospitals, universities, or other public bodies in Arta will generally fall under the Greek public procurement framework aligned with EU directives. This affects tender procedures, award criteria, contract changes, and payment terms.

Governing law and language - Parties can choose governing law and jurisdiction, but mandatory Greek and EU consumer and data rules can still apply. Greek is typically required for dealings with public bodies, court filings, and registrations. Bilingual contracts help prevent disputes over interpretation.

Local courts and enforcement - Disputes may be brought before the Court of First Instance of Arta, with appeals handled by the Court of Appeal serving the Epirus region. Urgent measures such as injunctions are available. Foreign judgments and arbitral awards can be recognized and enforced subject to Greek and EU rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a solid software or SaaS agreement include under Greek law

Key elements include a clear grant of rights, scope of use and user caps, service levels and credits, data protection and security terms, IP ownership and license to deliverables, confidentiality, open-source disclosures, fees and taxes, warranty and maintenance commitments, limitations of liability that comply with consumer and mandatory law, term and termination, exit and data return, audit and compliance, and governing law and dispute resolution. For personal data, include a GDPR-compliant data processing agreement.

Are NDAs enforceable in Greece and in Arta

Yes. NDAs are generally enforceable if they define confidential information, purposes, duration, and permitted disclosures, and they include reasonable remedies. Clauses should not be overly broad in time or scope. Trade secrets enjoy statutory protection if reasonable secrecy measures are in place, so document your protection practices.

Who owns IP in a custom development project

Ownership follows the contract. Absent a written assignment, the developer or author typically retains copyright and grants a license to the client. For employee-created software, economic rights often vest in the employer for works created in the course of employment. To avoid disputes, use explicit assignment or license clauses, address pre-existing materials, and define who owns improvements.

Can we use foreign governing law and jurisdiction in our contracts

Parties can choose foreign law and courts or arbitration. However, mandatory Greek and EU provisions, especially on consumers, data protection, and competition, may still apply. If you sell to Greek consumers, local consumer rules and venue protections can override unfavorable clauses. Consider arbitration seated in Greece or EU member states for cross-border tech deals.

How do we legally transfer personal data outside the EEA

Use an approved transfer mechanism such as EU standard contractual clauses, an adequacy decision, binding corporate rules, or explicit derogations for specific situations. Conduct a transfer impact assessment where required, apply supplementary safeguards, and keep records. Your DPA with customers should reflect these mechanisms and responsibilities.

Are limitation of liability clauses valid in Greece

They are common and generally enforceable between businesses, but they cannot exclude liability for intent or gross negligence. Toward consumers, caps and exclusions are tightly scrutinized and unfair terms can be void. Draft separate liability regimes for B2B and B2C, specify carve-outs, and align caps with your insurance coverage.

What about open-source software obligations

Compliance depends on the license. Copyleft licenses can require source code disclosure of derivative works distributed to third parties. Permissive licenses typically require attribution and notices. Keep a software bill of materials, track licenses, and align your distribution model to avoid unintended disclosure or IP contamination.

How do we register a trademark or protect an invention

Trademarks are filed with the competent Greek authority in alignment with EU standards, and EU trademarks can be used to cover Greece. Patents, utility models, and designs are filed with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization. Copyright arises automatically on creation, but you should keep evidence of authorship and consider voluntary registry options for proof. For know-how, use NDAs, access controls, and confidentiality policies.

Are electronic signatures valid on tech contracts

Yes. Under eIDAS and Greek law, qualified electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures. Advanced and simple e-signatures can also be valid if you can prove identity, integrity, and intent. For high-value or high-risk deals, consider qualified signatures and robust evidence trails.

How are disputes handled in Arta

Disputes can be brought before the Arta courts, often after a mandatory attempt at mediation for certain civil and commercial disputes. Parties may agree to arbitration or mediation in their contracts. Interim measures such as injunctions and seizures are available on an urgent basis to protect IP and data.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Data Protection Authority - guidance and enforcement on GDPR compliance for controllers and processors operating in Greece.

Hellenic Industrial Property Organization - patents, utility models, designs, and technology transfer information.

General Secretariat of Commerce - trademark registration procedures and practice.

Hellenic Copyright Organization - policy and guidance on copyright and related rights.

Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission - regulatory guidance for electronic communications and certain platform issues.

Hellenic Consumer Ombudsman - mediation and guidance for consumer disputes, including digital services and e-commerce complaints.

Arta Bar Association - local registry of licensed attorneys and referral information.

Arta Chamber of Commerce and Industry - local business support, networking, and information on public tenders and programs.

Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority - rules and guidance on public procurement for tech vendors selling to public bodies.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue - tax and invoicing guidance relevant to royalties and cross-border services.

Next Steps

Map your transaction - list the parties, deliverables, timelines, pricing, data flows, subcontractors, and any public funding or sector rules. Identify personal data categories, open-source components, and any exports outside the EEA.

Assemble documentation - term sheets, specifications, security policies, data inventories, prior IP assignments, licenses, and insurance certificates. Gather evidence of ownership for code and content.

Choose the right structure - decide between license, SaaS subscription, reseller, or development model. Align payment terms, acceptance procedures, and service levels with your operational capacity.

Localize your terms - ensure Greek and EU mandatory rules are addressed, including consumer protections where applicable, GDPR data processing terms, e-signature validity, and tax invoicing requirements. Prepare bilingual versions if counterparts or public bodies require Greek.

Plan for exit and disputes - include clear termination rights, data return and deletion steps, escrow for critical code, and a proportionate dispute resolution mechanism. Consider mediation or arbitration provisions for faster resolution.

Engage counsel early - contact a technology transactions lawyer familiar with Arta and national practice to review documents, negotiate risk allocations, and coordinate registrations or filings. The Arta Bar Association can assist with referrals.

This guide provides general information only. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a qualified lawyer licensed in Greece.