The procedure for trademark registration in Greece is done following the European rules and regulations. Our team of Greek lawyers can represent you in this process and can inform you about the documents you have to prepare.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can file for trademark registration in Greece? | It is available for: individuals, companies, non-governmental organizations, public institutions, etc. |
|
Trademark law in Greece |
Law 4679/2020 |
|
Institution regulating intellectual property matters |
Trademark registration in Greece falls under the supervision of the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization. |
| International intellectual property laws recognized in Greece | The European Patent Convention, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the EU Trademark Regulation, the EU Design Regulation, the EU Copyright Directive, the Madrid Protocol, the Berne Convention, etc. |
| What constitutes a trademark in Greece |
A Greek trademark can be any signs, such as: letters, words, names, designs, logos, etc., which are used for identifying services/goods on the Greek market. |
| Types of trademarks that can be registered in Greece |
Individual, collective or certification trademarks |
| Documents required for trademark registration |
For trademark registration in Greece, applicants must prepare: the application file, the graphical representation of the trademark, the classes of goods/services, the identification details of the applicant, the power of attorney (where applicable), the proof of paying the processing fee. |
| Steps to be followed after the trademark application is submitted |
Examination, publishing, opposition, registration |
| The validity of the trademark registration in Greece |
10 years |
| The duration of the registration procedure | Minimum 6 months |
| Renewal of trademark available (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Procedure to acquire international protection of trademark |
Resident entities (including those operating through a permanent establishment) can apply for international trademark registration in Greece through the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization. |
| Opposition period |
3 months |
| Registration fee applicable (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Legal services offered for trademark registration in Greece | Legal support throughout all the steps involved in the registration procedure. We can also provide representation for cases brought in front of local courts. |
Our team can present the classes of trademarks available for registration, offer information about the fees, the procedure and opposition period and any other matter that can be of interest for those who want to register a trademark in Greece.
Table of Contents
What is the process for trademark registration in Greece?
First, it is advisable to address to our team of Greek lawyers to see whether your trademark falls under the definition of a trademark in Greece and, thus, that it can be registered in this country.
If the trademark is suitable for registration, then you must know that the procedure will be handled by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization (OBI), and more exactly, by the Trademark Registry operating under this institution. The Greek institution provides an online registration procedure, and the file should contain the following:
- the trademark application form, which is available online on the OBI platform;
- the evidence of paying the registration fee (the total value will vary based on the number of classes selected by the applicant);
- for corporate applicants, the company’s incorporation documents and certificates must be submitted;
- the power of attorney, provided that the client is represented by a third party in this procedure, such as our team of lawyers in Greece.
Below, you can read an infographic presenting some of the basic formalities for trademark registration:
According to the law, a trademark can be protected on the Greek territory as long as the holder of the trademark takes the necessary steps for registration, in order to benefit from the rights deriving from this procedure.
However, in the case of trademarks that have been registered at the level of the European Union (EU), the holders of such trademarks will not have to take additional steps, as the sign will be protected in Greece as well.
This is given by the fact that Greece is an EU member state; please mind that the procedure for trademark registration in Greece does not automatically oblige the trademark holder to use the trademark for its intended purpose. However, this can be done only for a limited period of time, after which the cancellation of the trademark will be initiated by the local authorities.
Classes of trademarks
When starting the procedure for trademark registration in Greece, applicants will be asked to select one or more classes, representing various categories of products or services recognized in this country, for which a trademark can be registered. In Greece, there are 45 classes divided into 2 categories:
- products – Classes 1 to 35 (for example, textiles, clothing, paint, vehicles, medical products, metals, machines, cosmetics, precious metals, musical instruments, paper, leather, games, etc.);
- services – Classes 36 to 45 (advertising, banking services, telecommunications, transportation, medical services, legal services, education, etc.).
The examples given for the 2 categories represent only a few of the many other services and products for which trademark registration in Greece can be made; for a complete list we recommend you to get in touch with our law firm in Greece.
Trademark registration laws
In order to register a trademark in Greece, individuals and investors alike need to observe the rules of various rules of law. The main regulations derive from Law 4679/2020 which establishes the main steps for registration at a national level, completed through OBI.
Those who plan to have their trademark registered at an EU level must abide by the rules of the Regulation 2017/1001/EE. Under this rule of law, trademark registration falls under the supervision of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Those addressing this institution will benefit from uniform trademark rights at the level of EU, including in Greece, therefore it won’t be necessary to start the procedure in Greece as well.
In the case of those who want to register their trademark outside the EU must apply for international trademark registration, in which case they have to address the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Please mind that those who apply for international trademark registration from Greece can address OBI, which constitutes an competent authority, entitled to receive applications for this type of registration (this right is granted as per the Law 4679/2020, Article 72, on which our attorneys in Greece can provide in-depth assistance).
Important matters to know about trademark registration in Greece
In the list below, our team of Greek lawyers has prepared a short presentation concerning few relevant matters that should be of interest for any person who wants to start the procedure for trademark registration in Greece:
- a trademark in Greece has a validity of 10 years after its registration date;
- it is allowed to renew the protection of the trademark for an additional period of 10 years;
- the trademark holder is entitled to simply register the sign and not use it at all for a period of maximum 5 years;
- persons who choose the trademark registration in Greece via paper filing must pay a fee of EUR 120, while the electronic filing costs EUR 100;
- for each additional class selected for the trademark, the applicant must pay a fee of EUR 20;
It is also possible to register a collective trademark, and the registration fee for this is EUR 500 (electronic application) or EUR 600 (paper application). When selecting an additional class for the collective trademark, the applicant must pay EUR 100/class.
A collective trademark defines a trademark that belongs to a large entity, such as an association or organization, which is used by its members. Our lawyers in Greece can present more details as to what a collective trademark can be. If you need further information on trademark in Greece, we invite you to contact our Greek law firm, where you can receive the necessary legal support regarding this subject.
We also invite you to address for other legal services, as our law firm in Greece can assist local and foreign clients in many other ways – we can help you register a business, buy a property in Greece, complete your immigration formalities, address Greek courts and institutions and many others).