Greece (OBI) trademark application success rates

Understanding how successful trademark filings are in a given country can provide valuable insight for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to protect their brands. In this article we’ll cover five years of data from the Greek Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) and best practices for successful registration.

By

Igor Demcak

Trademark protection wherever you need it

Application success rate at Greece’s OBI: 5-year overview

From 2019 to 2023, Greece recorded an impressive average success rate of 89.55% for trademark applications. The country has consistently remained near or above the 90% mark in recent years, with a strong peak in 2022 at 91.22%.

Applications filed in

Registered

Filed

Success rate

2019

5,315

6,091

87.26%

2020

5,356

5,937

90.21%

2021

6,152

6,938

88.67%

2022

5,414

5,935

91.22%

2023

5,561

6,142

90.54%

Total (average)

27,798

31,043

89.55%

Comparison to major IP offices in the region

With an 89.55% average success rate, Greece stands out as a favorable jurisdiction for trademark protection. It performs significantly above the global average, falling just below larger IP markets such as the EUIPO (90.80%) but above USPTO (56.91%).

Greece ranks among the highest-performing trademark offices in the European Union. It slightly outperforms France (88.85%) and Italy (88.09%), and is ahead of Austria (84.67%) and Germany (85.14%). Compared to other countries in Southern and Eastern Europe, Greece also stands out. It surpasses Czech Republic (88.53%), Bulgaria (82.67%), and Hungary (82.55%)

Find out more about how this trademark office compares globally in our full report on trademark success rates worldwide.

Country

Office code

Success rate

Greece

OBI

89.55%

France

INPI

88.85%

Italy

UIBM

88.09%

Germany

DPMA

85.14%

The European Union

EUIPO

90.80%

A few key characteristics help explain Greece’s strong trademark registration performance:

Well-structured trademark office

OBI is known for its consistent operations, efficient review timelines, and effective communication with applicants. This structured approach helps reduce delays and improve clarity throughout the examination process.

Experienced applicants

A large proportion of applications in Greece are filed by businesses with prior IP experience or by legal professionals. These applicants are generally well-prepared, which reduces rejections due to procedural or substantive issues.

Manageable application volume

With a relatively moderate number of annual filings, OBI can maintain high quality and responsiveness without being overburdened by backlog. This allows for a smoother and more predictable review process.

How to maximize your chances of registration success in Greece

Despite a relatively high success rate of 89.55%, registering a trademark in Greece requires some preparation and understanding of OBI procedures. To improve your likelihood of approval, it’s recommended to begin with a comprehensive trademark search to identify any potential conflicts. Ensure that your mark is distinctive and not merely descriptive, and clearly define the goods and services associated with your application.

Working with a qualified trademark lawyer is one of the most effective ways to increase your chances. A trademark lawyer can help navigate the complexities of the OBI process, respond effectively to Office Actions, and build a solid filing strategy from the start.

If you are currently preparing to submit your first trademark application, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to strengthen your chances of success, with multiple pieces of advice directly from our trademark lawyers with years of experience. You can also take advantage of Trama’s free lawyer’s check to receive expert feedback on your trademark and guidance on the best steps forward.

Igor Demcak
Igor Demcak

Trademark Attorney

Founder of Trama

7 year experience in IP protection

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