WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
8October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4279)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT
Responses from Greece
Addendum
Civil andadministrative procedures andremedies
(a) Civil judicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
Incaseofinfringement ofapatent orautility model oraprotected topography ofa
semiconductor product, civilcourts havejurisdiction tohearrelevant claims. Theaction maybebrought
before thecourt offirstinstance, thedecision ofwhich canbeappealed before theCourt ofAppeals.
TheCivil Division oftheSupreme Court isthecourt oflastresort forthereversal ofanyjudgement.
Injunctions areissued bytheonemember court offirstinstance inmost cases.
Therulesofcivilprocedure (Article 22etseq.oftheCode ofCivil Procedure) determine the
venue. Inmost cases, thecompetent court istheonewhere thedefendant hasitsdomicile.
2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytherightholder?
Pursuant toArticle 17paragraphs 1and3ofLawNo.1733/1987, theowner ofapatent or
theexclusive licensee oranyrightholder orthepatent applicant hasstanding tobring anaction for
infringement. Thesame provision isapplicable incaseofinfringement ofautility model (Article 19
paragraph 6ofLawNo.1733/1987).
Article 17paragraphs 1and3ofPresidential Decree No.45/1991 allows theowner ofa
registered topography ortheexclusive licensee oranyrightholder tobring anaction forinfringement.
Allparties must berepresented incourt proceedings byalawyer acting astheir counsel
(Article 94paragraph 1oftheCode ofCivil Procedure) admitted topractise before thespecific court.
Theonlyexception provided where aparty canrepresent himself, isinthecaseofprovisional measures
orofanimminent danger. However, itiswithin thediscretion ofthejudge toorder aparty tobe
represented byalawyer.
Noparty isrequired toappear inperson. Upon petition ofaninterested party, thejudge has
theauthority toorder aparty toappear before thecourt, should heconsider itnecessary forclarification
purposes ofthefactsofacase(Article 245paragraph 1(a)oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).IP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
Page2
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
Following apetition ofaninterested partyorexofficio, acourtmayorder alitigant inpossession
ofadocument assumed tohaveevidentiary value, toproduce suchdocument onthedatesetforthe
trial(Article 232paragraph 1(c)oftheCode ofCivil Procedure). Should thelitigant failtocomply
withthecourt order, thecourt maytakethisfactintoaccount intheassessment ofthecaseandimpose
afineaswellasthetrialexpenses.
Incaseofnon-compliance, Article 451paragraph 1oftheCode ofCivil Procedure further
provides toanyinterested party, thepossibility tofileapetition during thecourse ofatrialtohave
specific documents produced. Unless there arespecific grounds forexemption, thedocuments have
tobedelivered totheinterested party. Thecourts 'sdecision canbeenforced according toArticles 452
paragraph 1,941and946oftheCode ofCivil Procedure.
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Pursuant toArticle 402paragraph 2oftheCode ofCivil Procedure, awitness candenyto
testify regarding anyinformation related toatrade orartistic secret.
Anythird person oranyparty isexempted from theobligation toprovide tothecourt any
document having anevidentiary value, ifthisdocument contains information related toatradeorartistic
secret (Article 450paragraph 2oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use.
(a) Injunctions
Incaseofpresent orpotential infringement, aninjured party isentitled toclaim cessation of
theinfringing activity andtheomission ofanyinfringement inthefuture (Article 17paragraph 1of
LawNo.1733/1987, Article 19paragraph 6ofLawNo.1733/1987, Article 17paragraph 1of
Presidential Decree No.45/1991).
Theprocedure tobefollowed istheoneprovided inArticle 682etseq.oftheCode ofCivil
Procedure. Atthetimeoffiling ofapetition, ajudge maygrant atemporary order, which remains
inforce untiljudgement ontheinjunction hasbeenreached, ifitisnecessary tosecure orpreserve
aright(Article 691paragraph 2oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Since theinjunction isonlyaprovisional measure inorder toprevent animminent danger,
anaction hastobefiledconsequently before thecompetent civilcourt. Injunctions cannot beappealed.
(b) Damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees
Pursuant toArticle 17paragraph 2ofLawNo.1733/1987 theinjured party mayclaim:
- Restitution ofanydamages sustained. Compensation includes anylossofprofits
(Article 298oftheCivil Code); or
- return ofanyprofits gained from theunauthorized exploitation oftheinvention; orIP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
Page3
- payment ofanamount equal toalicence fee.Theplaintiff hastoprove theamount
ofthelicence feewhich ispaidinthemarket forthespecific invention orunder similar
circumstances. Conditions suchastheeconomic value oftheinvention, theremaining
period untilthelapse ofthepatent andtheextent oftheexploitation oftheinvention,
aretobetaken intoaccount, when determining theamount ofthelicence fee.
Theabove-mentioned remedies areconditional ontheinjuring party having actedintentionally.
Incaseofunintentional behaviour, anybenefit obtained fromtheinfringement canbeclaimed asunjust
enrichment according toArticle 904etseq.oftheCivil Code.
Thesameremediesareavailableincaseofinfringementofautilitymodel(Article19paragraph6
ofLawNo.1733/1987) orofaregistered topography (Article 17paragraph 2ofPresidential Decree
No.45/1991).
Award ofcourt expenses tothewinning party isastandard practice oftheGreek courts.
Attorney 'sfeesorexpert 'sfeesmaybeawarded (Article 189oftheCode ofCivilProcedure). However,
theyarerestricted toacertain schedule ofcosts, which doesnotcorrespond totheamounts actually
incurred bytheparties.
(c) Destruction orotherdisposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements fortheirproduction
Thecourt mayorder thedestruction ofanyproducts manufactured inviolation oftheright.
Upon petition, thecourtmayinstead order thedefendant torender totheplaintiff anyinfringing products
orparts thereof (Article 17paragraph 5ofLawNo.1733/1987, Article 19paragraph 6ofLaw
No.1733/1987, Article 17paragraph 3ofPresidential Decree No.45/1991).
Theseizure ofanyinfringing products maybeordered asaninjunction, according tothe
procedure laiddown inArticle 707etseq.oftheCode ofCivilProcedure, soastosecure anyproducts
tobedestroyed.
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany, dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform therightholder oftheidentity ofthird persons involved intheproduction
anddistribution ofthegoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheirchannels ofdistribution?
There arenospecific provisions inthepatent lawgranting suchanauthority. Upon petition
ofaninterested party, during thecourse ofatrial, thecourt mayorder theother party toappear in
person before itinorder toanswer specific questions e.g.astotheidentity ofdistributors ofinfringing
products, andprovide anyclarification related tothecase(Article 245paragraph 1(a)oftheCode of
Civil Procedure).
Iftheparty failstoappear, thecourt maytakethisfactintoaccount intheassessment ofthe
case.
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat "remedial
measures" areapplicable tothem?
Should theplaintiff failtoprove hiscase, hehastobearalltrialexpenses (Article 176ofthe
Code ofCivilProcedure). Furthermore, thelawprovides, thatajudge before theissueofaninjunction
e.g.fortheseizure ofinfringing products, mayorder thepetitioner tolodge asecurity (Article 694
paragraph 1oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).IP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
Page4
Unless thesecurity islodged, theinjunction cannot beenforced (Article 701oftheCode of
Civil Procedure). Iftheplaintiff failstocomply withthecourt order, theinjunction isnolonger valid
(Article 694paragraph 2oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Thepetitioner hastocover anydamages sustained bytheenjoined party from theexecution
ofaninjunction, ifhismainlawsuitisfinally dismissed (Article 703oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Thisobligation isconditional ontheplaintiff having actedinknowledge orignorance bygross negligence
oftheabsence ofanyright.
Judges areliable foranydamage caused byanincorrect judgement, iftheyhaveintentionally
ornegligently acted (Article 6ofLawNo.693/1997). Onlygross negligence canjustify suchaclaim.
Theinjured party doesnothaveanyclaim, ifhehasomitted toavert damage sustained byuseofany
legalmeans orfailed toappeal theinitial decision.
Pursuant toArticle 105oftheIntroductory LawtotheCivil Code, theStateisliable forany
damage caused toathirdparty byanunlawful actoromission ofanofficial during theperformance
ofhisduties. Theofficial whocaused thedamage, isalsoliable forcompensation.
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Hearings before thecourtoffirstinstance areconcluded inonesession (Article 270paragraph 4
oftheCode ofCivil Procedure), unless thetrialhastobecontinued orthere areevidentiary issues
tobedetermined byapreliminary decision. Parties havetofilealldocuments atthelatest before the
initiation oftheproceeding. Hearings forobtaining aninjunction arealways concluded inonesession.
Thelength ofaproceeding depends onthenature ofthecaseandonwhether aninjunction
issought orincaseofalawsuit,whether thecaseconcluded atfirstorsecond instance.
Therulesgoverning thecostofproceedings canbefound inArticles 173-193 oftheCode of
Civil Procedure. Thecostofaproceeding varies according tothelevelofjurisdiction andthevalue
indispute. Asageneral rule,thelosing party hastobearalltrialexpenses (Article 176oftheCode
ofCivil Procedure). Incaseofpartial success orloss, thecosts aredivided between theparties
(Article 178oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Expenses areawarded onlyifthecourtconsiders themnecessary fortheproceeding (Article 189
paragraph 1oftheCode ofCivil Procedure). Attorney 'sorexpert 'sfeesmaybeawarded according
toacertain schedule ofcosts.
There arenostatistics available ontheactual duration andcostofproceedings.
(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
Infringement ofapatent orautility model oraregistered topography isamatter tobedecided
onlybyjudicial authorities.IP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
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Provisional measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
Asstated inquestion 5above, incaseofpresent orpotential infringement, aninjured party
canclaim:
- Cessation oftheinfringing activity (Article 17paragraph 1ofLawNo.1733/1987,
Article 19paragraph 6ofLawNo.1733/1987, Article 17paragraph 1ofPresidential
Decree No.45/1991);
- omission ofanyinfringement inthefuture (Article 17paragraph 1ofLaw
No.1733/1987, Article 19paragraph 6ofLawNo.1733/1987, Article 17paragraph 1
ofPresidential Decree No.45/1991.
- seizure ofanyinfringing products inorder tosecure therightofdestruction ofsuch
products (Article 17paragraph 5ofLawNo.1733/1987, Article 19paragraph 6of
LawNo.1733/1987, Article 17paragraph 3ofPresidential Decree No.45/1991).
Theprocedure tobefollowed istheoneprovided inArticle 682etseq.oftheCode ofCivil
Procedure.
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
Inveryurgentsituationsorinordertoavoidanimminentdanger,ajudgemayissueaninjunction
without hearing andwithout previous notice totheadverse party (Article 687paragraph 1oftheCode
ofCivil Procedure). Should notice tothedefendant prevent therightbeing realized e.g.bydisposing
oftheitems tobeseized, thecourt maygrant theinjunction. However, iftheurgency situation or
thedanger could have been avoided bythegrant ofatemporary order pursuant toArticle 691
paragraph 2oftheCCP, thecourt should reject theclaim.
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect thelegitimate
interests ofthedefendant.
Provisional measures maybeordered uponwritten petition ofaninterested party. Thepetition
maybefiledbefore orduring thecourse ofatrial. Previous notice totheadverse party within acertain
period determined bythejudge isaprerequisite (Article 686oftheCode ofCivil Procedure), theonly
exception being, theoneprovided inArticle 687oftheCCP.
Thepetition should contain theprovisional measure requested, thefactsestablishing theright
andtheurgency ofthesituation ortheimminent danger tobeavoided (Article 688paragraph 1of
theCode ofCivil Procedure). Upon hearing bothparties, thecourt determines thecontent ofthe
injunction atitsdiscretion (Article 692paragraph 1oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Iftheinjunction wasgranted prior tofiling anaction onthemerits, thelatter must befiled
within atime-limit determined bythecourt, which cannot belessthan30days(Article 693oftheCode
ofCivilProcedure). Ifnoaction wastaken within thetime-limit, theprovisional measure isnolonger
valid.IP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
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Upon compliance withtheabove-mentioned provisions, theinjunction remains inforce, until
afinaldecision onthemerits isreached. Theinjunction remains valid, untilotherwise decided.
Theinjunction cannot beappealed. However, iftheinjunction wasissued intheabsence or
without previous notice totheadverse party, itcanberevoked ormodified uponpetition oftheparty
enjoined (Article 696oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Ajudge mayorder apetitioner tolodge asecurity, before issuing theinjunction sought
(Article 694paragraph 1oftheCode ofCivil Procedure). Upon request ofaninjured party, an
injunction -whether granted prior tofiling anaction orduring thecourse ofatrial-mayberevoked
ormodified, provided thattheexisting circumstances havechanged (Article 696paragraph 3and697
oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Ifacompromise isreached, themeasure iscancelled. Thesame applies following thelapse
ofaperiod of30days, iftheaction iscancelled (Article 698oftheCode ofCivil Procedure).
Theinjunction isexecuted according totheprovisions onexecution oftheCode ofCivil
Procedure (Article 904etseq.).Theparty whoobtained anunjustified injunction must cover any
damages sustained byit,should themain action bedismissed, provided heacted inknowledge or
ignorance bygross negligence oftheabsence ofanyright(Article 703oftheCode ofCivilProcedure).
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Please seeanswer toquestion 8above.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
Provisional measures canonlybeissued bythecourts.
Special requirements related toborder measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable alsoin
respect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other thancounterfeit
trademark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement (footnote toArticle 51).
Specify, together with relevant criteria, anyimports excluded from theapplication ofsuch
procedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms union, goods intransit ordeminimis
imports). Dotheprocedures apply toimports ofgoods putonthemarket inanother country
byorwiththeconsent oftherightholder andtogoods destined forexportation?
Thesuspension oftherelease forfreecirculation orretaining ofproducts suspected ofinfringing
apatent, autility model oraregistered topography bythecustoms authorities, isnotprovided inLaw
No.1733/1987 norinPresidential Decree No.45/1991. Thecustoms authorities canonlyenforce
injunctions related totheprotection ofsuchintellectual property rights, thatareissued byacourt.IP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
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16. Provide adescription ofthemain elements oftheprocedures relating tothesuspension
oftherelease ofgoods bycustoms authorities, inparticular thecompetent authorities (Article 51),
therequirements foranapplication (Article 52)andvarious requirements related totheduration
ofsuspension (Article 55). How have Articles 53(security orequivalent assurance), 56
(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofthegoods) and57(right ofinspection and
information) been implemented?
Please seeanswer toquestion 15above.
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity ofdecisions
bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofreecirculation?
Please seeanswer toquestion 15above.
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
Please seeanswer toquestion 15above.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
Please seeanswer toquestion 15above.
Criminal procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
According toArticle 114oftheCode ofCriminal Procedure theonemember criminal court
offirstinstance oftheplace where thecrime wascommitted, hasjurisdiction overcriminal actsreferred
inquestion 21.Anappeal oftheabove decision canbefiledbefore theCourt ofAppeals.
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Theinfringement ofapatent, autility model oraregistered topography isnotconsidered as
acriminal act.Theonlyactpenalized, istheplacing ofafalsestatement onanarticle thatitispatented,
provided inArticle 17paragraph 7ofLawNo.1733/1987.
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
ThePublic Prosecutor isresponsible forinitiating criminal procedures either exofficio
(Articles 27and43oftheCode ofCriminal Procedure) orinresponse toacomplaint.
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
No.Aperson mayonlyreport acrime orfileacomplaint withapolice officer orapublic
prosecutor.IP/N/6/GRC/1/Add.1
Page8
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed.
- Imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure, forfeiture anddestruction ofinfringing goods andmaterials andimplements
fortheirproduction;
- other.
Patents
Atermofimprisonment nottoexceed oneyearand/or minimum fineofDr50,000 isprovided
against actsconstituting theoffence ofArticle 17paragraph 7ofLawNo.1733/1987.
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Thelength ofproceedings depends onvarious factors suchasthenature ofthecrime, orif
apreliminary investigation isrequired etc.Asageneral ruletheconvict bears thecostoftheprocedure.
There arenostatistics available ontheactual duration andcostofcriminal proceedings.