The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has canceled Turkey’s application for the “Turkaegean” trademark, marking a legal victory for Greece. The decision, announced on January 10, 2025, followed objections raised by Greece’s Ministry of Development and the Industrial Property Organization (OBI).
Turkey’s Tourism Promotion and Development Agency originally applied in 2021, seeking to establish the term as part of its tourism branding efforts. Greece challenged the move in February 2023, arguing that the trademark infringed on its rights and sought to appropriate a culturally significant region.
Under European Union (EU) regulations, Turkey now has two months to appeal the decision.
Greek officials celebrate legal victory
Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos, called the decision a major step in protecting Greece’s interests. “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,” he said.
He added that the Greek government, under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, had taken a strong international stance on the issue.
OBI President Dimitris Chronis described the cancellation as “a complete vindication” of Greece’s position.
Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, OBI Director General, emphasized the methodical approach of the team that handled 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,” he said.
Regional and geopolitical implications
The “Turkaegean” trademark had sparked criticism in Greece, where it was seen as part of Turkey’s broader efforts to assert influence over the Aegean region. The dispute added to longstanding tensions between the two countries over territorial and cultural claims in the area.
#Breaking
The Trade Mark Turkaegean that the turkish tourism organisation illegally registered in 2021 is now CANCELLED by the European Union Intellectual Property Office with its decision C58927, 10/01/25
A similar cancellation case is pending in the USA pic.twitter.com/XGwTqOz8RN
— Leonidas ToEat ♎☘🇬🇷🇬🇧 (@AnAthenianToLDN) January 10, 2025
The EUIPO’s decision has been celebrated in Greece as a defense of its national and economic interests. It also underscores the ongoing geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the Aegean Sea and its cultural heritage.
Why “Turkaegean” sparked controversy
The dispute over the “Turkaegean” trademark goes beyond legal boundaries, reflecting deeper historical, cultural, and geopolitical tensions between Greece and Turkey.
The Aegean Sea, a region rich in ancient Greek history and culture, is seen by Greece as an integral part of its identity. The term “Turkaegean” was perceived as an attempt by Turkey to associate itself with this heritage, a move Greece considered an appropriation.
Additionally, the Aegean has been a longstanding point of contention between the two countries due to unresolved territorial disputes over waters, airspace, and maritime rights. Greece viewed the trademark as a symbolic assertion of Turkey’s influence over the region, further fueling diplomatic tensions.
Economically, the trademark represented competition in tourism, a vital industry for both nations. Greece feared that Turkey’s use of the term could undermine its tourism branding and divert international interest to Turkish coastal destinations. This rivalry added a layer of economic stakes to the dispute.
Similar developments in the United States
The case has also gained attention in the United States. The U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), recently requested clarification from Turkey regarding its use of the term “TurkAegean.”
The board asked Turkey’s Tourism Promotion and Development Agency to explain the purpose of the term and the rationale behind its selection.
Turkey has been given 20 days to respond to the U.S. inquiry, a move that signals potential for further legal challenges. Analysts suggest the U.S. development could provide Greece with an opportunity to pursue action in federal courts if Turkey’s explanation is deemed insufficient.
Greece’s broader strategy
The EUIPO ruling represents a significant milestone in Greece’s efforts to protect its cultural and economic interests on the global stage. With similar disputes unfolding in the U.S., the decision reinforces Greece’s strategy of using legal channels to safeguard its identity and heritage in the face of regional tensions.