Best Technology Transactions Lawyers in Thivais

About Technology Transactions Law in Thivais, Greece

Technology transactions cover the ways businesses and individuals create, protect, license, buy, sell, and collaborate around technology and data. In Thivais, as in the rest of Greece, these transactions commonly include software and SaaS licensing, cloud services and outsourcing, data processing and sharing, R and D collaborations, IP assignments and spin-outs, integration and implementation agreements, hardware and embedded software supply, fintech and telecom arrangements, and technology aspects of mergers and acquisitions. The legal framework is largely national and EU based, so parties in Thivais operate under Greek law supplemented by directly applicable EU rules. Local practice and courts in Boeotia may handle general commercial disputes, while certain IP heavy cases often centralize in specialized courts in Athens, making choice of forum and dispute clauses important from the outset.

Well planned contracts allocate IP ownership and use rights, address data and cybersecurity compliance, apportion liability and risk, and set clear service levels, fees, acceptance and exit mechanics. Because many Greek technology deals are cross border, the governing law and data transfer mechanics need particular attention. Businesses in Thivais frequently work with counterparties or counsel in Athens for complex matters, but with proper preparation you can negotiate and manage robust technology contracts locally.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Technology transactions mix IP, privacy, consumer, telecom, competition, tax, and procurement rules. A lawyer helps you identify risks early, translate regulatory requirements into contract language, and avoid gaps that can be costly later. You may need counsel when drafting or negotiating software or SaaS licenses, reseller and distribution agreements, cloud or outsourcing deals, data processing agreements and international data transfers, research collaborations and university or spin out IP agreements, founder and employee IP assignment and confidentiality frameworks, open source software compliance, technology aspects of a financing or M and A deal, public sector IT tenders and contracts, telecom or platform compliance, cybersecurity and incident response clauses, and export control and sanctions questions around dual use technology. For disputes, counsel can steer negotiation, mediation, court action, or arbitration, and can coordinate filings with IP bodies when licenses or assignments should be recorded.

Local Laws Overview

Contract law and formation. Greek Civil Code principles govern formation, validity, interpretation, and remedies. Freedom of contract applies, but mandatory consumer and competition protections limit certain clauses. For cross border deals, the Rome I Regulation influences governing law and consumer overrides.

Copyright and software. Law 2121-1993 protects software as a literary work, including source and object code. Copyright arises automatically. Assignments and exclusive licenses should be in writing and specify the rights, territory, duration, and consideration. Database rights may apply to substantial investment databases.

Patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks. Patents and utility models are primarily governed by Law 1733-1987 and related rules, administered by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization. Trademarks are governed by Law 4679-2020 and EU law for EU marks. License or assignment recordal is advisable for effect against third parties. Designs may be protected nationally and at EU level.

Trade secrets. Greece has implemented the EU Trade Secrets Directive, protecting information that is secret, has commercial value, and is subject to reasonable secrecy measures. Contracts should complement statutory protection with confidentiality, access control, and audit terms.

Data protection and e privacy. The GDPR applies directly, with supplementary rules in Law 4624-2019 and e privacy Law 3471-2006 for electronic communications, marketing, and cookies. Data processing agreements are mandatory when engaging processors. Extra EU transfers require a valid transfer tool and documented assessments. The Hellenic Data Protection Authority supervises compliance and may issue fines.

E commerce and consumer protection. Presidential Decree 131-2003 implements the EU E commerce Directive, setting information duties and platform liability safe harbors. Law 2251-1994 protects consumers, including distance contracts, unfair terms, and digital content quality and remedies under updated EU rules. Clickwrap acceptance can be enforceable if consent and terms are presented clearly and retained.

Electronic signatures and records. eIDAS Regulation applies. Law 4727-2020 supports digital governance. Qualified electronic signatures have the equivalent legal effect of handwritten signatures. Contracting parties can agree evidentiary standards for other signature methods if reliability is ensured.

Cybersecurity. The NIS framework has been implemented nationally, imposing security and incident reporting duties on operators of essential services and certain digital service providers. Sectoral guidance and contracts should address incident reporting timelines, cooperation, vulnerability management, and audit rights.

Telecoms and platforms. The Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission supervises electronic communications, numbering, and spectrum. Platform and cloud providers should assess licensing and notification requirements, interoperability, and service level transparency.

Competition law. Law 3959-2011 and EU competition law restrict anticompetitive agreements. Technology licenses should consider exclusivity, MFN clauses, grant backs, and no challenge terms. Vertical agreements should be assessed under the EU vertical block exemption rules.

Public procurement. Law 4412-2016 governs public tenders and contracts. IT contracts may include specific security, interoperability, and IP ownership provisions. Deadlines, objections, and remedies are formal and short, so early legal input is valuable.

Employment and contractor IP. Greek law distinguishes service inventions, dependent inventions, and free inventions. As a default, inventions created within an employee’s duty to invent belong to the employer, while dependent inventions may be co owned on a statutory split unless otherwise agreed. For software and other works, explicit written assignment or license terms are recommended for both employees and contractors, along with moral rights waivers where possible under Greek law.

Tax and royalties. Corporate income tax and VAT rules apply to technology supplies. The standard VAT rate is 24 percent, with B2B cross border services often subject to reverse charge. Royalties may attract withholding tax under the Income Tax Code, subject to relief under double tax treaties and EU directives. Stamp duty and local tax issues may arise depending on how and where contracts are executed and paid.

Disputes and enforcement. Commercial disputes can be brought before local courts of first instance, including in Thebes. IP intensive disputes often route to specialized divisions in Athens and Thessaloniki. Arbitration and mediation are available, with modernized arbitration rules in Greece and strong recognition of foreign awards. Mediation is encouraged by Law 4640-2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a technology transaction in Greek practice

It is any agreement that allocates rights and obligations around technology or data. Typical examples include software or SaaS licenses, cloud and hosting, system integration and implementation, data sharing and processing, R and D and joint development, IP assignment or licensing, reseller and distribution of software, escrow, and maintenance and support. The same core rules apply in Thivais as nationally, adapted to the business context.

Do I need a Greek company to sell software or SaaS in Thivais

No. You can contract from abroad, but you must comply with Greek and EU consumer, tax, and data rules. You may need a Greek VAT registration depending on your supplies and customer type. Having a Greek entity or local representative can simplify tax, invoicing, and public sector tenders, but it is not a legal requirement for all sales.

Are clickwrap and online terms enforceable in Greece

Yes if the terms are accessible, clear, and acceptance is evidenced. For consumers, unfair terms will not be enforceable. Keep audit logs of acceptance, make material terms prominent, provide Greek language versions when targeting Greek consumers or the public sector, and offer download or email copies of the terms and policy documents.

Who owns IP created by employees or contractors

Employees and employers should agree in writing on IP created in the course of employment. Greek law provides default rules for employee inventions, and for software and other works an explicit assignment or license is best practice. Contractors do not transfer IP by default, so your contract should include a clear assignment of present and future rights, moral rights waivers where permitted, delivery of source materials, and confidentiality obligations.

Do I need to register licenses or assignments

Copyright licenses and assignments do not require registration for validity. For patents, utility models, and trademarks, recordal with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization or the EU registrar is recommended to make the deal effective against third parties and to avoid priority disputes. Recordal can also be helpful for tax or audit trails.

What should a GDPR compliant data processing agreement include

It should define subject matter, duration, nature, and purposes of processing, types of data and data subjects, and the roles of the parties. It must include processor obligations on confidentiality, security, sub processing approvals, assistance with data rights and impact assessments, breach notification without undue delay, deletion or return at end of services, and audit support. For extra EU transfers you must add a valid transfer mechanism and document risk assessments.

Can I transfer personal data outside the EU

Yes if you use a permitted mechanism such as an adequacy decision, standard contractual clauses with transfer impact assessment, or binding corporate rules. Additional safeguards may be required depending on the destination and data type. Sensitive data such as health or biometric information requires particular care and lawful basis.

What taxes apply to royalties and software services

B2B cross border software and SaaS often fall under the reverse charge for VAT. Supplies to Greek consumers are generally subject to Greek VAT at the standard rate. Royalties paid from Greece may be subject to withholding tax, mitigated by tax treaties and EU rules. The characterization of payments as services versus royalties can change the tax outcome, so contract drafting and invoicing should align with your tax position.

How do trade secrets work in Greece

Trade secrets are protected if the information is secret, valuable because it is secret, and subject to reasonable protective measures. Combine technical controls with contracts. Use NDAs, access and use restrictions, need to know allocation, secure development policies, and clear exit duties. Misappropriation can be pursued through civil actions for injunctions and damages.

How are disputes typically resolved for technology deals in Thivais

Many contracts choose Greek law and courts in Athens for complex IP disputes, while local courts in Thebes are appropriate for general commercial claims tied to Boeotia. Arbitration seated in Athens is also common for cross border deals. Timelines vary by forum and complexity, and mediation can help reach faster settlements. A well drafted dispute clause improves predictability and enforcement.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Data Protection Authority for guidance on GDPR and local rules. Hellenic Copyright Organization for copyright and software matters. Hellenic Industrial Property Organization for patents, utility models, and design filings and recordals. Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission for telecom compliance. Hellenic Competition Commission for antitrust matters. General Commercial Registry for company filings and corporate status. Ministry of Digital Governance for digital policy and public sector IT standards. National Cyber Security Authority for NIS implementation and incident guidance. Chamber of Boeotia and Municipality of Thiva business support units for local business assistance. Enterprise Greece for investment and export support. EUIPO and the European Patent Office for EU wide IP strategy.

Next Steps

Clarify your objectives, deliverables, timelines, and budget for the technology deal. Map the data you process, where it flows, and who touches it, so privacy and security terms are accurate. Gather key documents such as existing IP assignments, open source inventories, security policies, and prior contracts that may restrict your freedom to operate. Decide on governing law, jurisdiction or arbitration, and language, bearing in mind enforcement and practical convenience for Thivais based operations.

Shortlist lawyers with Greek technology and data experience, ideally with exposure to both local practice in Boeotia and complex deals handled in Athens. Prepare a concise brief and a term sheet to accelerate negotiations. Ask counsel about risk prioritization, fallback positions, and any regulatory notifications or approvals you might need. Discuss fees, timelines, and who will negotiate day to day.

Before signing, confirm tax and invoicing treatments, whether any IP license or assignment should be recorded, and how transition and exit will work, including data return and secure deletion. After signing, implement practical playbooks for service levels, security incidents, and change control, and schedule periodic reviews to keep the contract aligned with evolving Greek and EU rules.

This guide provides general information only and is not legal advice. For specific issues in Thivais, consult a qualified Greek technology transactions lawyer.