Intellectual Property Services in Greece
Why Does a Business Need Intellectual Property Services?
Intellectual property services act as a shield that protects the creation and contribution of the human mind. Being creative is not an easy task as it requires diverse aspects which are to be taken into consideration. Be it a writer, a designer or a singer, every artist has one’s originality and they display it in their work. The creations of these artists need to be protected from getting plagiarized. Intellectual property helps in protecting the original inventions delivered by such artists.
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to the trademarks, trade secrets, patents, copyrights, logos, inventions of a company. The owners of these IP hold the right to make any kinds of alterations to it. It is essential so the creations aren’t misused or replicated unauthorizedly by any other person or organization. Holding an IP is an asset to any organization.
Intellectual Property Services in Greece
Greece is a member of the European Union (EU) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It also possesses an international membership with signatory to the Paris Convention, Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Despite being a member of the EU, it does share its IPs with the Union. The country prospects the IPs of the companies incorporated here via the following instruments.
1. Patent
Patents are applicable for all the technological areas; trade secrets are protected for a duration of 20 years. To initiate this protection, an international agreement of the Patent Cooperative Treaty (PCT) is to be signed.
2. Trademark
Trademarks that includes company seal, logo, etc. and are protected for a duration of 20-25 years in Greece. It is done by entering into an agreement with the Trademark Law Treaty Protocol, to be concerned for International Registration of Marks.
3. Copyright
Copyright, an exclusive right given to the creator for his creation, holds a validation as IP for a period of 70 years after the author’s death. Such rights are formed by signing multiple international agreements.
4. Registered Design
Registered designs hold a protection right for a period of 5 years and an option of renewal at a later date.
Benefits of Intellectual Property Services
A company holding intellectual property as an asset avails the following benefits:
- Amplification of its brand values
- Conversion of ideas into profit-making business
- Help in raising capital from the market
- Widening of the scope to enter into an international market
Types of Intellectual Property Licenses in Greece
The IP licenses available in Greece are of 6 types:
- Patent License Agreement
- Trademark License Agreement
- Technology Transfer License Agreement
- Design or Utility Models License Agreement
- Copyright License Agreement
- Software License Agreement
Recent Developments in Intellectual Property in Greece
The recent developments in IP focus on trademarks. Directive (EU) 2015/2436 has been replaced by Directive 2008/95/EC. The new law is to be implemented by 14th Jan 2019. Most notable changes include:
- No formal filing requirement on graphic representation. This has been done to facilitate non-traditional marks like sounds, smell, tastes, etc.
- Specification of goods and services to be more precise.
- New absolute grounds have been added on the basis of origin.
- Arresting of infringement goods would be possible.
- An exclusive license will be provided to initiate the judicial proceedings before civil courts against infringement.
Who We Are
Business Setup Worldwide is a business consultancy platform that helps in building businesses worldwide. We help our clients to transform and structure their business ideas into a reality. It’s not easy to set up a company in any foreign land. Business Setup Worldwide simplifies this process. We help our clients in setting up their businesses in multiple countries. Our team of experts helps in dealing with the incorporation process, sorts the legal proceedings, manages the financial aspects, and provides tax advisory services.
Why Us?
Business Setup Worldwide helps companies ranging from a sole proprietorship and SMEs to established companies that want to enter the international market and set up their business in Greece. Our business experts located worldwide have helped numerous clients in sundry industrial domains in establishing their business roots, aiding them in building company frameworks and dealing with legal rules and policies. Our team of experts offers a wide spectrum of intellectual property services to facilitate IP protection process for you.