Intellectual Property

Our firm has the unique advantage of combining the depth of expertise and experience of an IP law boutique with the breadth of practice of a full-service law firm.

Our dedicated team advises clients on all aspects of patent and trade mark work, ranging from highly contentious litigation to portfolio management and strategic advisory services. Over the last 25 years, we have also served as a lead litigator in over 700 anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy trade mark cases, with our litigation track record featuring over 1000 trade mark disputes as lead litigators within the last 45 years.

In addition to trade marks, we also handle a large volume of national patent, European patent, and validation filings, as well as high-profile technical appeals, acting as strategic advisors to our internationally minded clients in their Greek and cross-border operations. At the same time, we have established ourselves as a leading law firm in Greece when it comes to patent litigation, acting for clients in high-value patent infringements and patent invalidations, especially in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.

While patents and trade marks dominate our docket, we also provide legal advice in relation to all aspects of IP law, including designs, trade secrets, copyright, and software, concerning a wide range of business-critical IP matters.

Our IP law practice is consistently recognized amongst the leading ones in Greece. World Trademark Review 1000 and IAM Patent 1000 consistently rank our firm’s IP practice in the First Tier / Gold Band, while we are also ranked in Tier 2 of The Legal 500 EMEA edition. Most recently, Ballas Pelecanos Law was named IP Firm of the Year in Greece at the 2023 IAM and World Trademark Review Global IP Awards.

Areas of expertise

European patent attorneys
National and cross-border patent and SPC litigation (infringement / invalidity / compensatory)
SPC waivers
National patent filings
European patent filings
Patent convention treaty filings
SPC filings
Patent licensing, renewals, and assignments
Expert advice on all patent and SPC related matters

Trade mark agents
Trade mark administrative litigation (opposition, cancellation)
Trade mark civil litigation (infringement / unfair competition / compensatory)
National trade mark prosecution
European trade mark prosecution
WIPO international registrations
Trade mark licensing, renewals, and assignments
Expert advice on all trade mark related matters

Design administrative litigation (registered design cancellation)
Design civil litigation (infringement / unfair competition / unregistered design invalidation / compensatory)
National design prosecution
European design prosecution
Design licensing, renewals, and assignments
Expert advice on all registered and unregistered design related matters

Anti-piracy
Anti-counterfeiting
Author’s rights
Software protection
Best practices for securing / evidencing date of right creation
Copyright civil litigation (cease and desist temporary restraint orders, preliminary injunctions, and main actions / compensatory)
Expert advice on all copyright related matters

Advising on use of trade secrets as a more cost-effective and sustainable right than patents
Creating awareness and teaching best practices for safeguarding trade secrets
Trade secret civil litigation (cease and desist temporary restraint orders, preliminary injunctions, and main actions / compensatory)

‘Led by the ‘excellent’ George Ballas in Athens, the Ballas Pelecanos Law IP practice has vast expertise in the patent, trade mark and copyright infringement spheres, acting for a client roster spanning across the life sciences, technology and automotive sectors.’

The Legal 500

‘Full-service firm Ballas Pelecanos Law is a prime choice for assistance in intellectual property. Its practitioners demonstrate immense expertise across the board, from patent filings and validation services to representation in opposition and appeal cases before the EPO.’

IAM PATENT 1000

‘At the vanguard of IP services, Ballas Pelecanos Law is a one-stop shop for brands seeking a commercial mindset. Renowned for its creative strategies, top-notch prosecution work and robust contentious representation, the outfit is a go-to for infringement disputes.’