Industrial design application in Greece

Greece has many industrial design applications in many fields. Greece is famous for its handicrafts such as ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and leather products. These products have a unique design, imbued with traditional culture and can be enhanced in value through the application of modern industrial design. The tourism industry is one of the most important economic sectors of Greece. The development of industrial design can help create unique, attractive souvenir products that are imbued with Greek culture, contributing to the development of the tourism industry. Greece has many typical agricultural products such as olive oil, wine, honey, fruits, and nuts. The application of industrial designs to product packaging and labels can help improve the value and competitiveness of these products in the international market. The Greek government is also working to improve the business environment and encourage investment in innovative industrial sectors, facilitating the development of industrial design. Therefore, more and more individuals and organizations need to register industrial designs in Greece, Viet An Law would like to guide customers through the article below.

Legal Basis

• Decree No. 161/2002 of the President

Definition of Industrial design registration in Greece

In Greece, industrial design is defined as the external appearance of a product in whole or in part, resulting from the specific characteristics of that product, such as lines, shapes, colors.

Conditions for Industrial design registration in Greece

• Novelty: The design has not been made available to the public before the filing date.
• Uniqueness: The general impression that the design creates on the knowledgeable user must be different from the general impression that any other design that has been widely publicized on that user.
• Not contrary to public or ethical policy: The design must not be contrary to public policy or ethics.

Types of industrial designs that can be registered in Greece

• Two-dimensional (2D) design: Includes patterns, patterns, and drawings on the surface of the product.
• Three-dimensional (3D) design: Includes the shape, cube shape of the product, product packaging, or a part of the product.

Application for Industrial design registration in Greece

• Application Form: The application form includes the following information:
  • Name, address, nationality and contact information of the applicant (and representative, if applicable);
  • Title of industrial design;
  • Specifies the products to which the style will be applied (Product Type).
  • International Classification Code for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification).
• Representative image of the style:
  • Drawings, photographs, or other graphic images of the design.
  • These images need to clearly represent all angles of the style (front, back, side, top, bottom, perspective, etc.).
  • A maximum of 7 images can be submitted.
• Priority documentation (if applicable): If a priority claim is from a previous application filed in another country, the applicant will need to submit a certified copy of the previous application.
• Power of attorney (if applicable): If the applicant files through a representative (e.g., attorney or intellectual property representative), the applicant will need to provide a power of attorney that allows them to act on behalf of the applicant.
• Other documents, if any:
  • Copyright claim (if the applicant is not the creator of the design).
  • The transfer document (if the rights to the design have been transferred).

Research industrial designs in Greece

Online Database

• OBI National Design Bulletin: This is the official online database of industrial designs registered in Greece, maintained by the Greek Intellectual Property Organization (OBI). Applicants can search by design number, applicant’s name, or design-related keywords.
• DesignView: This is a multilingual search engine that provides access to design registrations from various intellectual property offices around the world, including Greece. Applicants can search by design number, applicant name, Locarno Classification, or keyword.

Third Parties

• Intellectual Property Lawyer: The applicant can hire a Greek intellectual property lawyer who specializes in industrial design. They can conduct a comprehensive search and provide legal advice on the validity and scope of a design.

Ways to Research industrial designs in Greece

Industrial design registration in Greece under the Hague Agreement

What is the Hague Agreement on the Industrial design registration?

The Hague Agreement on the Industrial design registration (referred to as the Hague Agreement) is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This agreement provides an international registration system for industrial designs that makes it easy for individual designers and businesses to protect their designs on a global scale.

Benefits of registering industrial design protection through the Hague Agreement

• Simple: Instead of having to file an individual application in each country, the applicant only needs to file a single application in one language (English, French or Spanish) and pay in one currency (Swiss franc) to apply for protection in multiple member states.
• Savings: Significantly reduces costs compared to filing individual applications in each country.
• Centralized Management: Easily manage the applicant’s portfolio of registered industrial designs through a single system.
• Flexibility: The applicant can choose the countries in which the applicant wants to protect his industrial design.

Dossier of registration for protection of industrial designs under the Hague Agreement

A dossier for registration of an industrial design under the Hague Agreement includes the following documents:

• International Registration Declaration:
  • The applicant completes the application according to WIPO’s prescribed form in one of three languages: English, French or Spanish.
  • In the application, it is necessary to clearly specify the application for protection under the 1999 Document or the 1960 Document of the Hague Agreement.
  • List the countries in which the applicant wishes to protect his industrial design.
• Images or drawings of the industrial design: the image needs to clearly and fully show the perspectives of the industrial design that the applicant wants to register. The applicant also needs to pay attention to ensuring the quality of good and clear images or drawings.
• Documentation of payment of fees: The applicant notes that the international registration fee should be paid in accordance with WIPO regulations.

If you wish to file an application for industrial design registration, trademark registration, patent registration, please contact Viet An Law for the most effective support.