Memorandum of Cooperation Signed Between OBI and DIMEA at the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair
The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) and the Interagency for Market Control (DIMEA) of the Ministry of Development and Investments took place this evening in Thessaloniki, marking the consolidation of their excellent collaboration.
The event took place at the Water Hall of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, during the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair, with the presence of members of the OBI Board of Directors, the President and Executive Director of the Hellenic Industrial Property Academy, the police director and representative of Thessaloniki’s Immediate Response Unit, regional representatives, and senior officials from both OBI and DIMEA.
In his opening speech, the Deputy Mayor of Finance of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr. Michalis Koupkas, emphasized that the existing cooperation agreement between OBI and the Municipality of Thessaloniki had already yielded results and made a significant impact in the city.
He highlighted that with the new Memorandum, all involved are taking the next step in strengthening the idea of authenticity. Thessaloniki, he noted, has been at the forefront of this effort, ensuring that it goes beyond mere symbolism. Issues related to the production, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods have been organized and regulated. “Authentic products generate added value, which spreads throughout society, and this concerns all of us. We are interested in solidifying this collaboration to bring development, which in turn means expanding the pie. We were among the first to bring the issue of counterfeiting to the public discourse in Thessaloniki, and it now has its own momentum. Our goal is a more mature organisational approach and a shift in daily mindset. Beyond a sense of responsibility, we must also protect public health and the local economy, with actions aimed at outreach. In schools, universities, municipalities, and at bus stops, as OBI has done, alongside further use of the “Authenticity Thes” mobile app. The initiative of OBI and DIMEA is strong, and the Municipality of Thessaloniki supports it and will continue to support it.”
The General Director of OBI, Mr. Panagiotis Kanellopoulos, took the floor next. He welcomed the attendees and spoke from the heart, stressing three key pillars for success: the Municipality of Thessaloniki, OBI, and DIMEA. “Only through close collaboration can we achieve truly positive results,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of the mobile application, which in real-time reports intellectual property violations to the Greek Police. Mr. Kanellopoulos pointed out the strong outreach actions by both organisations in Thessaloniki, which will also continue in Mykonos and Corfu, where the “Authenticity” program will soon be launched. He concluded by stressing the importance of people, stating, “It’s not just about titles but also the people behind the actions. Both organisations share common ideals, and we are committed to protecting citizens’ income, consumer health, and well-being.”
The Commander of DIMEA, Mr. Charalambos Melissinos, then spoke, emphasizing the honor of signing the Memorandum of Cooperation between OBI and DIMEA. He acknowledged the critical role of the Greek Police, which provides space to support DIMEA’s enforcement actions, and thanked the regional authorities for their ongoing support. He also highlighted the Ministry of Citizen Protection’s contribution by providing 10 police officers to DIMEA, along with the valuable assistance of the Greek Coast Guard in their investigations. “With OBI’s help, we are confident that we will achieve even greater success,” he stated.
Mr. Melissinos then presented the significant results of DIMEA’s market control efforts, including 36,331 inspections, 3,794 violations, the confiscation of 506,526 items, and fines totaling 4,886,400 euros, from August 2020 to August 2022. He also noted that the United States had removed Greece from the notorious “301 Watchlist” due to the increased enforcement efforts against counterfeiting.
An informative video showcasing DIMEA’s operations in Crete was then presented, with representative confiscated items available for viewing at the Ministry of Development and Investments’ Pavilion 7.
Lastly, Mr. Spyros Peristeris, Director of DIMEA, took the floor, stating that the collaboration with OBI has reached new heights. He commended the EUIPO Authenticities program and its positive results in Mykonos and Thessaloniki, expecting similar success in Corfu. He assured the audience that DIMEA would continue to do its utmost to protect consumers and public revenues.
