Greece

There has been little overall change in the patent scene in Greece over the last year. Pharmaceutical litigation makes up the majority of the country’s contentious activity, with life sciences giants now slugging their way to an estimated 70% of all court decisions involving patents. In the economy, a rise in real gross domestic product in 2018 could be a sign that Greece is through the worst of its troubles and it is anticipated that this will spur innovation and patent activity in the country. As in other jurisdictions across Europe, Greek patent practitioners are keen to know what the outcome of the UPC saga will be and how this might affect the local market.

A & K Metaxopoulos & Partners Law Firm

Things are going great guns at well-connected media, technology and IP firm A & K Metaxopoulos; in the past year, it has attracted multiple new clients, including Asian telecoms players and global drug companies. Such names are attracted by the ensemble’s strategic savvy and willingness to try new things, in addition to the firm’s outstanding track record. Kriton Metaxopoulos and Irini Daroussou are driving the practice forward with verve and vigour. In recent years, the pair have been representing Digital Press Hellas in its dispute with Philips over DVD production which went all the way to the Supreme Court. When the chips are down, these are the guys to call.

Ballas, Pelecanos & Associates LPC

Ballas, Pelecanos & Associates started out life as an IP boutique four decades ago but has since become a fully-fledged full-service firm; patent owners are keen to take advantage of the synergistic solutions it can provide to all legal issues. The firm excels on both sides of the contentious divide, offering refined registration services and sterling advocacy in life sciences patent litigation. Managing partner George Ballas is in his element when representing pharmaceutical clients in the courtroom. The renaissance man has an amazing résumé, which includes notable roles in government, non-profit organisations and in-house legal departments.

Dr Helen G Papaconstantinou and Partners Law Firm 

The recently retired Helen Papaconstantinou can only be described as a legend of the Greek IP scene; she ensured that the firm was always ahead of the curve, and her legacy will continue through the work of a highly qualified crew of lawyers and patent attorneys. Unswervingly professional and unfailingly client-focused, the outfit is one to remember for Greek and EPO filing par excellence.

KLC Law Firm

KLC brings a commercial perspective to bear on challenging IP issues, whatever their nature. Frequently fighting on the frontlines of pharmaceutical patent litigation and prized for its cogent advocacy, the set is also routinely instructed to give broader strategic guidance relating to the creation and enhancement of IP value.

Patrinos & Kilimiris

Why do clients remain so loyal to Patrinos & Kilimiris? It comes down to experience; the firm – which celebrates its centenary in 2019 – is steeped in intellectual property like no other domestic outfit. A host of pharmaceutical originators come calling when a lot is on the line and they can be confident they are in safe hands given the firm’s credentials. Recently Constantinos Kilimiris and Manolis Metaxakis successfully represented Merck Sharp & Dohme in obtaining a preliminary injunction against Sandoz and defending the validity of a patent and supplementary protection certificate. Kilimiris is “incredibly smart when it comes to strategy and brilliant at thinking outside the box”. The group is not just an elite option for litigation; it also files European patent validations at a clip and is vastly experienced when it comes to Patent Co-operation Treaty applications too.

Prentoulis Gerakini Law Partnership

Deploying deep technical expertise, Prentoulis Gerakini Law Partnership furnishes clients with concise and incisive advice throughout all phases of the patent lifecycle. Guiding the practice are two outstanding practitioners, Nikos Prentoulis and Nancy Gerakini. Between them, the duo provide a prompt and well-rounded service at both a Greek and European level. Prentoulis is hailed for his commercial acumen, while Gerakini shines for her expertise at the intersection of competition, IP and corporate law.

Other recommended experts

Nikolaos Lyberis, the managing partner of Vayanos Kostopoulos – the oldest firm in Greece – is a supremely capable IP all-rounder. When certainty is required by blue-chip pharmaceutical and global clients, his authoritative take on trademark and patent law always hits the mark. Voelkel Kataliakos Roussou Law Office’s Henning Voelkel is an experienced litigator in pharmaceuticals and high-technology and has a deft touch when it comes to complex disputes with international ramifications. An excellent communicator – he is originally from Germany and is fluent in Greek and English – he delivers crystal-clear and succinct guidance to his patrons.