Greece - Protecting Intellectual PropertyGreece-Protect Intellectual Property
A Greek law enacted in June 2011 (Law 3982/2011), provide the police ex officio authority to confiscate and destroy counterfeit goods, has been effective in some areas, but much progress remains to be done due to continued budget cuts, high turnover in the public administration. A 2013 law to protect trademarks , Law 4155/2013, shifted the burden of the cost of storage and destruction of counterfeit goods to the holder and beneficiary rights. Companies have requested Greek authorities to only require storage of a sample of the seized goods in official government facilities in order to reduce their burden of having to pay for storage for long periods of time. This remains an issue of contention for relevant parties. According to the government, counterfeit products in Greece are mainly luxury purses, wallets, sports footwear, clothing, watches, cigarettes, spirits, cell phone batteries and accessories, sunglasses, toys, and spare car parts.
Trademark violations, especially in the apparel and footwear sectors, are still widespread. Given these ongoing significant issues, Greece was placed back on the U.S. Special 301 Watch List in 2008, where it remains.
For additional information about treaty obligations and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles. The U.S. Commercial Service can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
In any foreign market companies should consider several general principles for effective management of their intellectual property. For background on these principles please link to our article on Protecting Intellectual Property and also Corruption.
USTR’s Special 301 Report Lists Greece on its Annual Watch List. To read the 2019 Special 301 Report, click here.
IP Attaché Contact For Greece
Name: Susan F. Wilson
Address: U.S. Mission to the European Union
Unit 7600, Box 6100
United States
Telephone: +32 2-811-5308
E-mail: susan.wilson@trade.gov
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Trademark violations, especially in the apparel and footwear sectors, are still widespread. Given these ongoing significant issues, Greece was placed back on the U.S. Special 301 Watch List in 2008, where it remains.
For additional information about treaty obligations and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles. The U.S. Commercial Service can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
In any foreign market companies should consider several general principles for effective management of their intellectual property. For background on these principles please link to our article on Protecting Intellectual Property and also Corruption.
USTR’s Special 301 Report Lists Greece on its Annual Watch List. To read the 2019 Special 301 Report, click here.
IP Attaché Contact For Greece
Name: Susan F. Wilson
Address: U.S. Mission to the European Union
Unit 7600, Box 6100
United States
Telephone: +32 2-811-5308
E-mail: susan.wilson@trade.gov
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.