Trademark Registration in Greece

Greece is a “first-to-file” jurisdiction, which means that, as a rule, rights over a trademark are granted to the person or company that files it first, not the one that uses it first. To obtain protection, trademark applications must be filed with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization OBI. Registration gives you exclusive rights to use the mark for the goods and services covered and to act against infringers. Trademark protection in Greece can also be obtained regionally through a European Union Trademark (EUTM), which covers all EU member states, or via an international registration extended to Greece under the Madrid System, as Greece is a member state to the Madrid Protocol; we offer services for trademark filing through the Madrid System.

When you register a combined trademark (with both word and figurative elements) in Greece, your exclusive rights are limited to the exact configuration as filed and registered. If you want to protect the word element and logo separately, it is advisable to file separate applications (one for the word mark and one for the figurative mark). This strategy gives you stronger, more flexible protection.

To register a trademark in Greece, you will generally need:

• Original Power of Attorney, signed. No notarization or legalization required.
• The name or logo you want to register
• The applicant’s details

Your iGERENT consultant will confirm the exact requirements for your case and guide you through each step.

The average trademark registration process in Greece takes around 3 months for straightforward applications. This is an indicative timeframe based on current practice and may vary significantly depending on objections or oppositions that may arise.

Once your trademark is registered in Greece, it is valid for 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed indefinitely in further ten-year periods. The renewal can be requested as early as twelve (12) months before the expiration date, and also during a six (6)-month grace period after expiration, subject to payment of a late renewal fee. After registration, you enjoy exclusive rights to use the mark for the protected goods and services and to enforce your rights against infringing or confusingly similar marks.

Yes. Trademark opposition actions in Greece may be filed by third parties during a period of three (3) months following the publication of the acceptance of the trademark application on the official website of the General Secretariat of Commerce. Oppositions are typically based on earlier rights or on the likelihood of confusion with a prior mark, and the chances of success will depend on the specific facts of each case.

Use of a trademark is not required to obtain registration in Greece; however, if the trademark is not used for a continuous period of five (5) years after registration, it becomes vulnerable to cancellation actions for non-use, and the use must be genuine in the course of trade to be considered valid.