A new vindication for the Greek side in the “Turkaegean” trademark case, as the competent Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has rejected Turkey’s appeal against the decision that had already annulled and removed the trademark as a European Union trademark.

This development confirms the decision issued by EUIPO in January 2025, which had cancelled and deleted the “Turkaegean” trademark. Following that ruling, the Turkish side appealed to the relevant Boards of Appeal, seeking its reversal. However, the Board has now rejected the appeal and upheld the cancellation.

The case began on 16 July 2021, when the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) filed an application to register the “Turkaegean” trademark with the EU Intellectual Property Office. After Greece assumed responsibility for related trademark matters, the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), under the supervision of the Ministry of Development, coordinated actions to challenge the trademark, filing a cancellation request in February 2023 before the European authorities.

In a statement, Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos described the decision as a “vindication of our national positions,” stressing that the European institutional framework has confirmed, even at a second level, that the term “Turkaegean” lacks any legal and commercial basis.

He stated:

“The decision of the competent body of the European Union (EUIPO) is a vindication of our national positions. The European institutional order confirms, even at a second instance, the obvious: the term ‘Turkaegean’ has no legal or commercial basis and is set aside.

This development did not happen by chance. It is the result of a long, systematic effort initiated by the Ministry of Development in coordination with the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation.

We countered with strong legal, historical, and commercial arguments the attempt to mislead consumers and to instrumentalize trademarks for geopolitical purposes.

Greece proves in practice that it is a strong, serious country committed to international legality, effectively defending our national interests, our cultural and geographical identity, as well as the economic activity of our businesses, with determination, method, and the use of every legal means in all international fora.”