TMT - Advertising

The firm is considered a top Media, IP and TMT expert law firm in Greece. In our 65 years of expertise the firm handled a vast variety of cases in many industry sectors, by representing key international and domestic clients.

Managing partner, Kriton Metaxopoulos built his international reputation by representing major US Film Studios, record companies  and MPAA (having also served as a BoD member of Warner Music for more than 20 years) as well as Greek and foreign clients in complex litigation matters of corporate and IP/Patent/Trademark laws.

The firm is the only Greek member of the International Lawyers Network (ILN) and of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA), a global network of law firms with expertise in advertising and media law issues. In view of its GALA membership, foreign major corporations often assign to the firm to review their commercials and request “clearance” for advertising directed to the Greek market. The firm provides detailed contributions regarding the Greek legal framework to various International ILN and  GALA Publications (Books and handouts) concerning:  Advertising Law, Privacy Law, Alcohol Advertising, Sweepstakes and Contests, Social Media, Green Marketing, Ambush Marketing, Plain Packaging and Covid developments on advertising and other areas of law.

The firm is recognized by Legal 500 (Intellectual Property, TMT, Dispute Resolution, White Collar Crime), Chambers (TMT) and Best Lawyers. The firm is also recognized among the overall Top 20 Law Firms in Greece by “Top Ranked Legal”, which especially recognized the firm in its areas of expertise, including IP (Top ranked), TMT, Patents, Dispute Resolution and White-Collar Crime. In addition, the firm has received praise from various other expert publications such as Managing IP, IAM Patent 1000, Media Law International, Patent & Trademark Lawyers Magazine, etc.

Kriton Metaxopoulos’ unique expertise and reputation led once again to his recognition as leading individual by both Chambers Europe and The Legal 500 EMEA in TMT and Dispute Resolution, by WTR 1000 as a leading Trademark Individual as well as by Managing IP, as Individual IP Star for Patent and Trademark. Irini Daroussou is also recognized as a leading expert in IP and TMT, along with our Trademark expert Marilena Nikolaraki and our TMT expert Asterios Syssilas. Kriton Metaxopoulos, Irini Daroussou and Asterios Syssilas are also ranked as leading experts by Best Lawyers.

Members:

Kriton Metaxopoulos, Managing Partner
Asterios Syssilas, Salaried Partner
Elena Nikolarea, Associate

Representative Cases:

RADIO STATION ACQUISITION – COMPLIANCE
We have advised a client with the acquisition of a new radio station facing administrative problems with its operation license.

MARKET RESEARCH AGENCY
We successfully represented one of the leading market research agencies in Greece, active in the area of Commercial Communications/ Advertising, in its dispute with a Greek radio station owned by the biggest and most influential publisher in the mass media industry.

CONTROL OF TV CONTENT
Our firm was asked by an international IP /TMT experts’ referral network which provides services to international media companies throughout Europe to advise on matters of TV content distribution.

PRODUCT LABELLING
On instructions of a manufacturer of prestigious leather bags and accessories with presence in 45 countries, we reviewed some of the client’s labels on leather and textile products for compliance with Greek and EU labelling regulations.

ADVERTISING CLEARANCE
We are advising major advertisers on advertising clearance issues, having reviewed several commercials (of alcoholic drinks, credit cards, online gambling sites etc) and terms of promotional contests, including chance based promotions.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION – TV CHANNELS
Our firm was entrusted by a multinational mass media and information corporation in two disputes with the public television channel and with a major private TV channel.

MAJOR CHINESE ELECTRONICS AND HARDWARE MANUFACTURER
Our firm has represented a major Chinese electronics and hardware manufacturer, in its dispute with another leading US electronics and hardware producer related to smart-phone accessories (ear-phones).

VISA EUROPE
In 2020-2021 we continued to provide legal consulting services, especially in relation to advertising and promotional campaigns in Greece, to VISA, the famous global payment technology company (such as with credit cards, debit cards, pre-paid cards etc.) with worldwide presence.

ADVERTISING LAW – GALA
In 2020-2021, in view also our GALA (Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance) membership, we continued to assist and provide legal advice to major foreign corporations regarding various marketing, advertising and promotional activities to be conducted in Greece by them, in order to ensure compliance with Greek laws and to provide advice with regard to the potential legal risks that these specific activities may pose.

ADVERTISING COMPLIANCE
We have advised our client, which is the Greek subsidiary of a globally renowned dairy products company, on issues that relate to its advertising activities and promotional campaigns, in order to ensure compliance with the legal framework.

GREEK RESEARCH AGENCY
Our firm represents, for many years, one of the biggest Research Agencies in Greece, which, among others, designs and conducts the Industry Currency Surveys for TV, Radio and Press, used by the advertising market in Greece. We advised Focus Bari in relation to an exclusive partnership with a major UK company for online surveys worldwide (YouGov PLC).

REUTERS NEWS & MEDIA LIMITED
Our firm has represented a worldwide leading news agency in its dispute with two of the most important Greek TV channels “Mega Channel” and “SKAI” over unauthorised use of audiovisual material.

CONDE NAST NEW MARKETS EUROPE/ AFRICA, Inc. and ADVANCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS Inc.
We represented the well-known US publishers CONDE NAST NEW MARKETS EUROPE/ AFRICA, Inc. and ADVANCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS Inc. with regard to the bankruptcy procedure in Greece of the biggest Greek publishing house.

EPIC GAMES
We have recently provided advice, from the aspect of Greek law, on a variety of template promotions rules, for EPIC GAMES (Fortnite), the globally renowned video game and software developer.

KONICA MINOLTA
We conducted a thorough review of the Greek legal landscape regarding the electronic signatures and their suitability as a signature instrument for businesses on behalf of a major European leader of photographic equipment.

FERRERO INTERNATIONAL S.A.
We have advised the client in relation to the new legislative framework on media buying agreements. In view of this new legal landscape, we have reviewed the current agreements between the client and the local media buying agencies and we have proposed ways to mitigate legal risk.

THE TRADE DESK
We have provided legal advice to a major global digital services provider in matters relating to digital advertising through online platforms, from the standpoint of Greek advertising law.

MARIA SAKKARI
We represent Maria Sakkari, a top 10 ATP tennis player and best ever female Greek tennis player, in all matters related to trademark protection, sponsorship and agency agreements.

SC JOHNSON
Our Firm was asked to ensure that the client’s promotional contest (including all promotional materials such as digital banners etc.) is in compliance with Greek laws. More specifically, our review covered the following legal fields: Greek advertising law, consumer law and protection of personal data.

E-SHOPS
A world leader footwear company with headquarters in Spain and presence in 40 countries worldwide, has asked from our Firm to review the Terms of Sale and the Privacy Policy of the local (Greek) e-shop and make all necessary amendments.

VICE MEDIA
A well-known international media and broadcasting leader in its field has asked from our Firm to answer an analytical questionnaire about laws in Greece that affect journalist activities and the filming of broadcast news and TV shows.

TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE
We provided to a world-leading video game company, publisher of the world-famous video game “Red Dead Redemption II”, with a detailed opinion about the compatibility of possible new video-game features with Greek law.

INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHER – GDPR – WEB APPLICATIONS
We represented a major publisher (PC group) in relation to privacy, GDPR issues related to a mobile and web based applications.

ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
We have reviewed the advertising campaign taking into account the Greek advertising regulations and the local standards of decency, on behalf of a widely known Italian luxury brand of fashion and leather goods.

GREY GLOBAL
We have recently advised the well-known US advertising agency GREY GLOBAL in relation to the use of a re-creation of the Venus de Milo statue in an advertisement.

ABSOLUT COMPANY
Our Firm was asked to ensure that the client’s promotional contest complies with Greek laws and that the client acquired proper license to Intellectual Property rights in the contest submissions.

HBO Nordic
Our client is an independent production company established in UK which filmed a reality TV show in a Greek island. Our Firm provided a wide range of legal consulting services to the client while the reality show was filmed, including advice in relation to civil liability.

GAMING – GAMBLING
We advised a large online gaming/casino company which owns casino and bookmaking brands worldwide in relation to a ‘Games Systems and Content Licence Agreement’.

2K GAMES INC.
Our firm advised one of the leading video game companies in the world and publisher of the globally renowned video game franchise “NBA 2K in relation to the Official Rules and Abbreviated Rules for a major skill contest relating to their immensely popular video game “NBA 2K19”.

SWEEPSTAKES – ONLINE GAMING
We undertook, for the client “NBC Universal”, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, to review and evaluate the legal aspect of their plans to carry out in Greece sweepstakes and contests, some of which would award substantial cash prizes.

SNAP INC.
In 2017 we have provided advice to SNAP INC, an American camera and technology company, in relation to local advertising rules and regulations.

EXPERIAN DECISION ANALYTICS
We regularly advise Experian Decision Analytics, a global leader in consumer and business credit reporting and marketing services with presence in 37 countries, on complex issues of technology law and personal data protection.