MEMBER OF
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 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.