The European Union's Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) recalled the approval of the name "Turkaegean" as a "trademark" for Türkiye, it was announced on Friday.
Approved in December 2021 and valid for 31 years, the name was officially challenged by Greece through the Development Ministry and the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization (OBI) in February 2023.
Commenting on the event, Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos welcomed the invalidation, saying that the decision was a vindication of Greek positions. Greece under the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, he said, "is strong globally and defends its interests in the commercial field decisively and effectively. We claim our right with all our powers and lawful means."
OBI president Dimitris Chronis noted that the decision "fully satisfied Greek positions and fully vindicates our decision to resort to challenging the trademark." OBI General Manager Panagiotis Kanellopoulos noted that OBI and a legal team worked very hard and systematically to reach this result through a difficult legal battle.