Overview of the Legal Framework

Greece’s IP legal framework includes:

• Trademark Law — Law No. 4679/2020 on Trademarks, implementing Directive (EU) 2015/2436;

• Patent Law — Law No. 1733/1987 on Patents, as amended by Law No. 4605/2019;

• Industrial Designs and Models Law — Presidential Decree No. 259/1997, implementing Directive 98/71/EC;

• Copyright Law — Law No. 2121/1993 on Copyright and Related Rights.

Competent authorities:

• OBI (Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation) — responsible for patents and industrial designs;

• General Secretariat for Commerce & Consumer Protection under the Ministry of Development & Investments — responsible for national trademarks.

Greece is an EU member state and a member of EPO, WIPO, the PCT, the Madrid System, the Hague System, the Paris Convention and TRIPS.

International Cooperation and Regional Integration

• Greece is a member of the EU, EPO, WIPO, the PCT, the Madrid System, the Hague System, the Paris Convention and TRIPS;

• National registration systems complement the EUIPO framework (EUTM / RCD) for unitary EU protection;

• Cooperation agreements exist with EPO, EUIPO and WIPO on information exchange and examination practices;

• Greece implements the national strategy “Hellenic IP Strategy 2030” to support innovation, digitalisation and cross-border recognition of IP rights.

Trademark System

Filing Routes

• National applications can be filed directly with the Greek Trademark Office (General Secretariat for Commerce);

• EU-wide protection is available by filing an EU trade mark (EUTM) with EUIPO, which automatically covers Greece;

• International registrations can designate Greece via the Madrid System (Madrid Protocol).

Classification

• Greece applies the Nice Classification;

• Multi-class applications are allowed.

Examination Procedure

• Formal examination: approximately 1–2 months;

• Substantive examination: approximately 6–9 months;

• Opposition period: third parties may file oppositions within 3 months from the publication date.

Use and Renewal

• Registration term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for further 10-year periods;

• Non-use for 5 consecutive years may lead to revocation.

Examination Features

• Examination language is Greek;

• Substantive review focuses on distinctiveness and prior rights;

• Collective marks and certification marks are available.

Patent System

Types of Protection and Term

• Patent for invention: 20 years from the filing date;

• Utility model: 7 years from the filing date.

Examination Mechanism

• Invention patents are subject to a substantive examination system;

• The request for examination must be filed within 4 years from the filing date;

• Average examination time is around 2–3 years.

International Routes

• Greece is a member of the European Patent Convention (EPC): European patents granted by the EPO automatically take effect in Greece once validated;

• Greece is a PCT contracting state: international applications can enter either the Greek national phase or the EPO regional phase.

Key Features

• Examination languages: Greek or English;

• First-to-file principle applies;

• Patents must be maintained by paying annual fees;

• In the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) may be available to extend effective protection.

Industrial Design Protection

Legal Basis

• Industrial Designs and Models Law — Presidential Decree No. 259/1997.

Scope of Protection

• The appearance of a product, including shape, patterns, colours, ornamentation, lines or their combination;

• Applicable to industrial and handicraft products.

Term of Protection

• 5 years from the registration date, renewable four times for 5 years each, up to a maximum of 25 years.

Examination Procedure

• Examination period: approximately 3–6 months;

• Examination language is Greek;

• Formal examination only; creativity/individual character is not assessed in depth at the registration stage.

Key Features

• One registration provides protection throughout Greece;

• Multiple designs can be included in a single application (subject to unity requirements);

• Greece is a member of the Hague System (Hague Agreement), allowing international design registrations designating Greece.