Intellectual Property Law in Cyprus Intellectual Property Law in Cyprus

Michalaki, Pitsillidou & Co LLC > Practice Areas > Intellectual Property Law in Cyprus

Intellectual Property in Cyprus

Intellectual Property Law in Cyprus Overview Cyprus' intellectual property law is a dynamic field encompassing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Key Intellectual Property Categories in Cyprus

Patents: These grant inventors exclusive rights to their innovations, barring others from producing, utilizing, or selling them. To be patent-worthy in Cyprus, an invention must be unique, inventive, and industrially applicable. Once approved, patents are valid for 20 years from their filing date.

Trademarks: These distinguish a brand's goods or services from others. To register a trademark in Cyprus, it should be distinctive, non-descriptive, and not pre-existing. Registered trademarks last 10 years but can be perpetually renewed.

Copyrights: These give creators exclusive rights over their original works, such as literature, music, or software. In Cyprus, these rights are auto-granted upon creation, with a lifespan of the creator's life plus 70 years.

Trade Secrets: These are confidential business aspects giving a competitive edge, like proprietary recipes or marketing techniques. To be a trade secret in Cyprus, the data must be confidential, commercially valuable, and be reasonably protected.

Protecting Your Intellectual Property in Cyprus

Intellectual property rights enforcement in Cyprus can be intricate. Infringements can result in civil or criminal actions based on the violation's nature. At times, an injunction might be necessary to halt continued rights breaches.

Protecting Your Intellectual Property in Cyprus

Recent Adaptations Cyprus has lately revamped its intellectual property regulations to resonate with global benchmarks. Notably, in 2019, Cyprus introduced a fresh Trademarks Law, replacing the 1962 version. This move synchronized Cyprus with the EU Trade Mark Directive, accommodating online registrations and unconventional trademarks like odors. Furthermore, Cyprus is a signatory to numerous global intellectual property accords like the Paris Convention (Industrial Property Protection), Madrid Protocol (Marks Registration), and Berne Convention (Literary/Artistic Works Protection).

Final Thoughts

In the Cypriot business and innovation landscape, intellectual property law holds paramount importance. It safeguards novel ideas, devices, and artistic creations, providing a market edge. As Cyprus continually refines its intellectual property norms, it's crucial to remain informed and consult seasoned legal experts when needed.

Need Help?

Intellectual Property in Cyprus

Key Intellectual Property Categories in Cyprus

Protecting Your Intellectual Property in Cyprus

Protecting Your Intellectual Property in Cyprus

Final Thoughts

Ioannis Michalaki

Elena Pitsillidou

Elena Demetriou