File your patent application in Greece

Greece has a long history of innovation and creativity, and today, the country continues to thrive in several areas of technology and science. Greece is applying advanced technologies such as sensors, drones, and artificial intelligence to optimize agricultural production, save resources, and increase crop yields. The country has a tradition of producing high-quality food and is investing in research and development to create new, safe, and high-value-added food products. With a warm sunny climate all year round, Greece has great potential for solar energy. The country is thriving in large and small-scale solar projects, as well as advanced solar energy storage technologies. Greece also has significant potential for wind energy, especially in coastal areas and on islands. Wind power projects are being implemented to exploit this resource. Greece has a long-established and developed maritime industry, with high expertise in the construction and repair of ships of all kinds. The country is focusing on developing sustainable maritime technologies, minimizing environmental impacts, and increasing energy efficiency in shipping. In addition to the above areas, Greece also has the potential to develop inventions in other fields such as new materials, robotics and automation, education and training, and many others. With investment in research and development, as well as support from governments and international organizations, Greece can continue to be an important hub of innovation and innovation in the region and around the world. Viet An Law will help clients to navigate the process of patent registration in Greece to protect your innovative ideas and secure your competitive edge in the market.

Legal Basis

• Presidential Decree No. 321/2001

Definition of Invention in Greece

In Greece, a patent is an administrative document issued by the Greek Patent Office (GPO) that grants patent holders exclusive rights to their invention for a period of 20 years. It is a legal title that protects new, innovative, and industrially applicable inventions.

The patent owner has the exclusive right to exploit the invention for the duration of the patent’s validity, which means that they can produce, use, offer for sale, sell, license, or exploit the invention in any other way. This exclusive right prevents others from creating, using, or selling a patented invention without the permission of the patent owner.

Conditions for registering a patent in Greece

• Novelty: The invention must be new, which means that it has not been disclosed to the public in any form, anywhere in the world, prior to the date of filing the patent application.
• Innovation step (Unclear): The invention should not be obvious to someone with expertise in the technical field, which means that it must include an innovation step that is not easily deduced from existing knowledge and technology.
• Industrial applicability: The invention must have the ability to be created or used in any type of industry, including agriculture. This means that it must have a practical application and cannot be just theoretical.

Types of patents that can be registered in Greece

• Utility Patents (or Invention Patents): These patents protect new inventions that are novel, innovative, and have industrial applicability. These include processes, machines, production items, new material compositions, or improvements thereof. Utility patents are valid for 20 years from the date of filing.
• Design Patents: These patents protect the decorative design of a functional item. The design must be new and distinctive. A design patent is valid for 25 years from the date of filing.
• Plant Patents: These patents protect new plant varieties that are bred asexually. Plant varieties must be new, different, homogeneous and stable. Plant patents are valid for 30 years from the date of filing.

In addition to these three main categories, Greece also recognizes Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), which extend patent protection for pharmaceuticals and plant protection products.

Patent search in Greece

National Patent Registry

• The Greek Industrial Property Organization (OBI) maintains the National Patent Registry, which is the official database of all patents granted in Greece. Users can search the registry online using various criteria, such as patent numbers, title, inventor, applicant, or IPC classification.
• The search interface is available in Greek and English.
• You can access the National Patent Register here: http://www.obi.gr/obi/?tabid=125

PATENTSCOPE

• PATENTSCOPE is a global patent search system maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• The system includes the full text of Greek patents from 2019 onwards, as well as bibliographic data for older patents.
• PATENTSCOPE allows users to search by keyword, patent number, inventor, applicant, and other criteria.
• You can access PATENTSCOPE here: https://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/

Espacenet by EPO

• Espacenet is a free online patent search engine of the European Patent Office (EPO).
• The system includes information on European patents confirmed in Greece, as well as Greek national patents.
• Espacenet allows users to search by keyword, patent number, inventor, applicant, and other criteria.
• Customers can access Espacenet here: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/

Filing for registration of a patent in Greece

The composition of a patent registration dossier in Greece includes the following main documents:

• Patent Application: This form includes information such as the name of the invention, the name and address of the inventor(s) and the applicant(s), and the filing date.
• Description: This is a detailed description of the applicant’s invention, including the context, the technical field, the problems it solves, and how it works. The applicant must provide sufficient detail so that a person with expertise in the field can understand and reconstruct the invention. The information typically includes the following sections:
  • Name of the invention
  • Technical Field
  • Background art
  • Patent Summary
  • Brief description of the drawings (if applicable)
  • Detailed description of the invention
  • Industrial applicability
• Protection Claims: This is a numbered list of claims to determine the scope of protection for one’s invention. Claims for protection are the most important part of a patent application, as they define the scope of the applicant’s exclusive rights.
• Drawings (if any): If the applicant’s invention can be illustrated, drawings should be provided to help clarify the description.
• Summary: A brief summary of the invention, usually about 150 words or less.
• Priority documents (if any): If the applicant has applied for a patent for the same invention in another country within the last 12 months, the applicant can claim priority.
• Power of attorney (if any): If the applicant files through the patent representative, it is necessary to provide them with a power of attorney on behalf of the applicant.
• Other documents (if applicable): Depending on the applicant’s case, the applicant may need to file other documents, such as a transfer agreement if the applicant is not the inventor, or a copyright statement.

Registering Patents in Greece through the PCT System

What is the PCT System?

The PCT system stands for Patent Cooperation Treaty – an international treaty that aims to create a uniform process for filing international patent applications. The system is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and has more than 150 countries participating, including Greece.

Benefits of the PCT system:

• Save time and money: The PCT system allows the applicant to file a single patent application for patent protection in multiple countries participating in the Treaty, rather than having to file a separate application in each country. This saves time, costs and administrative procedures.
• Postponement of the national filing deadline: When filing a PCT application, the applicant has an additional 30 months to decide which country the applicant wants to protect the invention. This is a valuable time for the applicant to evaluate the commercial potential of the patent and prepare for the filing of the national application.
• Simple Process: The PCT System uses a common set of rules and procedures for all participating countries, which simplifies the filing process and saves time for both the applicant and the national patent office.
• Early Search Information: The International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Patent Search Agency will provide the applicant with information about the novelty and patentability of the patent, helping the applicant to make an informed decision about filing a national application.
• Enhanced international cooperation: The PCT system encourages international cooperation in the field of patents by creating a common platform for the exchange of information and the sharing of experiences between countries.
• Support innovation: The PCT system helps promote innovation by reducing the procedural burden on inventors and making it easier for them to protect their patents worldwide.

Patent registration dossier through the PCT system

To file an invention registration through the PCT system, you need to prepare a set of documents including the following documents:

• PCT Application: The application can be filed in Vietnamese or English, however, it is recommended that it be filed in English to facilitate the processing. You can download the PCT application form from the WIPO website: https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/forms/
• Description of the invention: The description of the invention should present the invention in detail and clearly, including:
  • Patent Name Technical Field
  • Patent Summary
  • Detailed explanation of the invention
  • Drawings (if any)
  • Request for protection
• Claim for protection: The claim for protection should clearly define the scope of protection that the applicant wants to give the invention.
• Patent Claims: Patent claims need to clearly identify the inventor (or inventors).
• Letter of Authorization (if applicable): If the applicant uses an intellectual property representative to file the application, the applicant needs to provide a Letter of Authorization that authorizes the representative to represent the applicant during the filing process and process the procedure.

Additional documents (may be required):

• Priority documents (if any): If the applicant filed an application for the same patent in another country before filing the PCT application, the applicant may claim priority based on the date of filing that application.
• Translation (if applicable): If any of the documents on file are not in English or French, the applicant needs to provide a translation into either of these languages.
• Application fee: The applicant needs to pay the PCT filing fee to the International Receiving Office (IB).

If you want to file an application for patent registration, please contact Viet An Law, hotline (+84) 9 61 67 55 66 (WhatsApp, Viber, Zalo, Wechat) for the most effective support.

Update: 9/2024