The Legal 500

Legal Developments in Greece

• Trademark Law in Greece

  Legal Framework
  - Dr Helen Papaconstantinou, John Filias &am

• "Olymp" marks held to be confusingly similar

  In Galaktoviomichania Larisis AE v I Kesioglou & Sia OE (Opposition No B 2 107 822, December 18 2013), the Opposition Division of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market has upheld in part an opposition against the registration of the trademark OLYMPOS FOODS-OLYMPOS COMMODITIESOLYMPOS MEDITERRANIAN-OLYMPOS ORGANICS-K&K FINANCE.
  - Dr Helen Papaconstantinou, John Filias &am

• Scope of protection of famous marks

  In LOGO AE v CISA SpA (Decision No 249/2014, January 30 2014, notified only recently), the Greek
  - Dr Helen Papaconstantinou, John Filias &am

• "Vara" shoe buckle recognized as famous trademark

  The special IP law chamber of the Athens Multi-Member Court of First Instance has issued its decision in a case involving the famous 'Vara' buckle device, an internationally renowned symbol that has been closely associated with shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo for more than 30 years.
  - Dr Helen Papaconstantinou, John Filias &am

• A practical guide to re-domiciliation: Relocating from Greece to Cyprus

   
  - Drakopoulos Law Firm

• Lessee vs Lessor: New leasing regulations shift the balance of power

  Over the last six years, Greece has been under an austerity restructuring and adjustment programme, receiving extended support from European financial institutions and international creditors, in an attempt to tackle its structural weaknesses, overly high deficits and incessant market stagnation.
  - Drakopoulos Law Firm

• M&As in Greece: Stellar opportunities for profits of emerging markets in the most mature market in..

  Lately, domestic and international financial and corporate players are looking closely on the Athens Exchange seeking for safe yet high return investment opportunities in Greece and the wider South East Europe through takeover bids on securities of companies established in Greece and listed on the local exchange with significant presence in the wider region. It is common knowledge that M&As consist the most transparent and efficient way to gain control of the desired "target" company, following a public offer on all or a part of the target's capital. However, this does not seem to be their unique advantage in Greek legal order. The speed of their conclusion, with an average duration of two months, allows the investor to begin with his businesses without considerable waste of time and resources. As of this, he is in position to choose a board of his own preference almost the very following day of the expiry of the public offer's time and to focus on what he primarily intended and is good at - making business.
  - Drakopoulos Law Firm

• The impact of the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes on corporate activity in Romania

  As of 1 st   February 2014, both Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes were implemented, replacing regulations that have been in force since 1968, drafted at a time when the political status quo in Romania not only discouraged but even forbade private initiative.
  - Drakopoulos Law Firm

• Impact of the new VAT draft law on foreign investments in Albania

  The Government of Albania has issued the final version of the draft law on Value Added Tax. According to the Minister of Finance, once approved by the Parliament, the new VAT law is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2015 and replace the current law on VAT, as well as all respective regulations. The draft law has been prepared with the support of the European Union, setting as its principal aim to harmonize legislation on VAT with the acquis communautaire , in compliance with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
  - Drakopoulos Law Firm

• Privatisation Alert

  The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (the Fund) launches a tender for the sale of the shares of the HELLENIC COMPANY FOR ROLLING STOCK MAINTENANCE S.A. (ROSCO)
  - Zepos & Yannopoulos