In a significant victory for Greece, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has cancelled the controversial “Turkaegean” trademark following coordinated efforts from the Ministry of Development and the Industrial Property Organization (IPO). The decision, dated January 10, 2025, officially nullifies the trademark, which was filed by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) in 2021.
The trademark registration had raised concerns in Greece, as it was perceived as an infringement on the cultural and geographical identity of the Aegean region. In February 2023, under the ministry of Adonis Georgiades, the Greek government filed an application for cancellation, challenging the registration. The case was then handled by the OBI (Greek Industrial Property Organization), which led to the eventual cancellation by the EUIPO.
Greece’s Minister of Development, Takis Theodoricakos, praised the decision, stating, “Greece, under the Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is strong in the international arena and defends its commercial interests with determination and effectiveness. We are asserting our right with all our strength and with every legal means. This is how we have reached the vindication with the infringement of the European Trademark ‘Turkaegean’.”
Dimitris Chronis, President of OBI, expressed full satisfaction with the ruling: “The decision to cancel ‘Turkaegean’ fully satisfies the Greek positions and vindicates the decision to resort to the infringement of the trademark.”
Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, Director General of OBI, emphasized the diligence behind the case: “In the ‘Turkaegean’ case, OBI, together with the legal representatives who represented the country, worked systematically and methodically to achieve today’s positive result in a difficult legal battle.”
The cancellation of the trademark comes on the heels of a separate development in the United States. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently requested Turkey to clarify why it chose the “Turkaegean” name. This decision signals the growing international support for Greece’s position, as the US authorities have essentially acknowledged Greece’s right to pursue legal action in US courts regarding the trademark.
Turkey has been given 20 days to respond to the US inquiry, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle.
This victory marks a significant step in defending Greece’s cultural and commercial interests, reinforcing the country’s determination to safeguard its heritage on the global stage.
