Good news in the industrial property field! The Hellenic Industrial Property Organization (known as O.B.I.) will enable an electronic document management system using information and communication technologies (ICT) that will be effective from 26 February 2015. On that same date, an electronic filing system of industrial design - model registration applications shall enter into force. The Ministerial Decision No. 12625/1 (Official Gazette B 3528/12.04.2014) regulates the technical terms and conditions, as well as further details having regard to the electronic communication means between O.B.I. and the interested parties. A separate chapter (Chapter 4th) lays down the e-filing terms for industrial design & model registration. The said Ministerial Decision is applicable to any document, title or certificate except for those which are related to inventions classified as temporarily or definitely confidential (Law n. 4325/1963). The use of electronic signature, pursuant to Regulation for the Provision of Electronic Signature Certification Services (no. 248/71, Official Gazette 603 B/16.05.2001) of the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission, is a necessary condition for any electronic transaction with O.B.I.
