Greek Law - European Directives & International Treaties                                 

Copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights for its use and distribution.

 

This is only for a limited time. Τhe protection lasts for the author’s lifetime plus seventy years after his death

and has as a consequence the user's duty to obtain a written license of exploitation before the use of each original work.

The greek law on the protection of author’s and related rights, law 2121/1993  is in harmonization with the

European Directives and the International Treaties on author’s and related rights:

 

 

• The Council Directive 92/100/ΕCC as codified with the Directive 2006/115/ΕC 

• The Council Directive 93/98/ΕCC as codified with the Directive 2006/116/ΕC

• The Directive 2001/29/ ΕC

• The Directive 2004/48/ΕC

• The Berne Convention

• The Rome Convention

• The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)

• Τhe WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty

Τhe unlawful use of an original work bears civil and penal sanctions. Any violation is being punished with imprisonment from one year at least. Moreover, the payment of high compensation and moral damages is provided.

Last but not least the right-owner may appoint an agent to represent him in the exercise of his rights towards the users.
SOPE acts as a representative in Greece of foreign playwrights and is specialized in the grant of such services.