Greece Trademark Registration

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1. Is registration of a trademark mandatory in Greece?

   Registration is not compulsory, but it is advisable. Otherwise the legal benefits of registration may not be available. Furthermore, compared to the burden of proof needed to enforce rights in an unregistered trademark, enforcement of a registered trademark is less expensive.

2. Which Intellectual Property rights are registrable?

   Any “sign” that can be reproduced graphically and is capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from another, e.g., words, names, devices, certain three-dimensional shapes, colors, and sounds, is registrable.

3. Can a trademark be registered for covering a commercial establishment which activity is focused in selling goods to consumers, for example retail stores? If so, how is the registration procedure? Are there any special requirements for it?

   Yes. In terms of “the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods (excluding the transportation thereof), enabling customers to conveniently view and purchase those goods” and, recently, even “retail sales” as such.

4. Is there any advantage in using a trademark before filing an application?

   Yes. If the mark is recognized in the trade in question, the prior user may oppose or apply for cancellation of subsequent registrations of the same or similar marks for the same or similar products/services. Marks that are not sufficiently distinctive to be registrable can acquire the necessary distinctiveness through use. With limited exceptions, the use must be in Greece.

5. How long does the registration process take?

   In the absence of objections and oppositions, the registration process takes approximately between 3 to 4 months.

6. Is there any requirement of use for registered trademarks? If so, what happens in case it is not used?

   While there is no affirmative duty to use a trademark, if the mark has not been in genuine use in Greece within five years of the registration date for the goods/services covered by the registration, the registration will become vulnerable to cancellation for nonuse. However, use after the five-year term will cure nounuse, provided that in the interim no third party has filed for, registered, or used an identical or similar mark or has filed an action for cancellation for nonuse.

7. In the case of a registered mixed trademark (word + logo), is it possible to include in the logo, different or additional words from those mentioned in the word mark?

   It is possible to use them separately only if you have registered them separately.

8. How can I know which is the due date for the renewal of a registered trademark?

   The term/renewal date of a registration is 10 years from the registration date.

9. When should I pay the renewal fee of my registered trademark?

   A renewal must be filed during the six month period expiring with the renewal date.

10. Is it possible to pay the renewal fee of a patent after the renewal due date has expired? If so, when should I pay?

    It is possible to renew for six months after the renewal date with payment of a fine.

11. What documents are required for filing a trademark or renewal application?

    No documentation is required for renewal if accomplished by the same local attorney. Otherwise a fully executed Power of Attorney is required as well as the completion of the corresponding form.

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