The Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), in collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), organised a seminar titled “Trademarks: Process and Tools EUIPO” in Thessaloniki and Komotini, on November 7, 2023, and November 8, 2023, respectively.
The seminar was primarily aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Law Schools of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Democritus University of Thrace. However, the events were also attended by lawyers and entrepreneurs involved in the field of trademarks.
On behalf of OBI, Mrs. Theodora Simitsi, Deputy General Director of OBI, delivered a greeting, also referring to the framework of cooperation between OBI and EUIPO. Subsequently, Mrs. Matina Chrysochoidou, Director of Trademarks, spoke both about the Industrial Property Organisation itself and its operation, and more specifically about OBI’s competence regarding trademarks and their protection within Greece.
Mr. Agis Theodorakeas, Team Leader – European Cooperation Service, Institutional and Cooperation Department (ICD) at EUIPO, presented the tools offered by the European Office, specifically the following:
- TMClass
- eSearch
- TMDSview
- User Area
Subsequently, in a highly interactive manner, Mr. Theodorakeas presented step-by-step the trademark application process.
Mrs. Emilie Scheffer, member of the Cabinet of the Boards of Appeal at EUIPO, initially presented the institution and operation of the Boards of Appeal of the European Office and then, with examples from the case law of the court and in the context of a dialogue with the students, explained the absolute grounds for refusal.
In conclusion, both speakers referred to career opportunities provided by the European Office as well as funding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises within the SME Fund Program.
The events were honored by the presence of representatives from both universities. Specifically, at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, greetings were delivered by Mr. Panagiotis Glavinis, Dean of the Faculty of Law of AUTH, and Mrs. Efi Tziva, Director of the Department of Commercial & Economic Law at the Faculty of Law of AUTH.
At Democritus University of Thrace, Mr. Georgios Babbetas, Associate Professor of Commercial Law at the Faculty of Law of DUTH, attended and delivered the opening speech.
