Intellectual Property, A & K Metaxopoulos & Partners Law Firm updates
Greece
Contributed by A & K Metaxopoulos & Partners Law FirmNew Trademark Law aligns Greek regime with that of European Union
- Greece
- 09 November 2020
In March 2020 Greece adopted a new Trademark Law in order to implement the EU Trademarks Directive into Greek law. By virtue of this new law, the Greek trademark regime is now largely similar to that of the European Union. The new Greek Trademark Law essentially follows EU Trademark Regulation (2017/1001), rendering the Greek legal system more familiar and friendly to foreign entities, many of which are already acquainted with the EU framework.
Journalism and copyright: range of damages awards for successful copyright claims
- Greece
- 24 August 2020
In copyright infringement cases, rights holders can claim both pecuniary and moral damages. According to Article 65(2) of Law 2121/1993 on Copyright, Related Rights and Cultural Matters, where an infringement was intentional or the result of negligence, the amount of damages (ie, compensation) cannot be lower than twice the remuneration that the infringer should have paid – under normal circumstances – for the legitimate acquisition of the relevant exploitation rights.
Journalism and copyright: other defences and exceptions to copyright claims
- Greece
- 10 August 2020
Defence strategies in copyright cases are, in principle, based on one of a number of grounds, including an objection as to whether a particular work falls under the protection of Law 2121/1993 on Copyright, Related Rights and Cultural Matters. For example, if a journalist sues a third party for copyright infringement, the defendant might claim that the journalist's work does not meet the criterion of originality if it contains only mere or actual information without any element of the author's personal contribution.
Journalism and copyright: is there a defence similar to fair use or fair dealing?
- Greece
- 03 August 2020
Greek copyright law does not provide for a fair use or fair dealing defence. Nevertheless, Law 2121/1993 on Copyright, Related Rights and Cultural Matters (the Copyright Law) contains an exhaustive list of specific statutory exceptions and limitations on authors' economic rights. A copyrightable work can be legally used without prior authorisation or payment if said use is covered by a specific exception or limitation stipulated by the Copyright Law and all legal requirements provided thereunder are met.
Journalism and copyright: what is protected by copyright law?
- Greece
- 27 July 2020
To constitute an original work of intellectual property and thus be protectable under the Copyright Law, a journalistic work must contain an element of individuality and personal contribution, particularly with regard to the selection, composition, elaboration and adaptation of its content. The form in which a journalistic work is presented to the public may also classify it under the protective category of a literary, audiovisual or photographic work if said form is a text, video or image.
