On September 5, 2024, as part of the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair, OBI and the Alexandria Innovation Zone co-organised an informational event titled “The Protection of Industrial Property as a Driver of Business Development,” which took place at the facilities of the Alexandria Innovation Zone.
At the opening of the event, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the two organisations, establishing a common framework for action.
“Innovation is the heart of business, and Intellectual Property is the key that protects it,” said Dr. Panagiotis Ketikidis, President of the Alexandria Innovation Zone. Meanwhile, Mr. Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, General Director of the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), spoke about the need for innovation to receive a boost to function better, which is underscored by the launch of the cooperation between OBI and the Alexandria Innovation Zone.
“At OBI, we believe in extroversion and interaction with organisations and the wider innovation community,” he added, stating that “the establishment of the Innovation Agency as a new service of the Organisation represents our role in providing indicators of the level of innovation in our country.”
Mr. Aris Pittaras, Director of OBI’s Applications & Grants, presented the responsibilities of OBI, including the protection of inventions and designs in Greece.
Ms. Panagiota Papapostolou, Director of Technological Information at OBI, discussed the newly established Innovation Agency in Greece, while Dr. Georgios Asimopoulos from OBI’s Regional Office in Thessaloniki talked about the technological information services provided for patents.
Mr. Dimitris Doinakis, a staff member of the Alexandria Innovation Zone, presented specific case studies of successful and failed patent registration efforts, highlighting what those seeking to register Industrial Property should be mindful of, including common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid.
Finally, the audience had the opportunity to understand trademarks as an asset for a business, presented by Ms. Elvira Georgiadou, a lawyer at OBI.
