In the framework of a technical assistance program provided by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) to the Directorate of Industrial Development of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Benin, a three-member delegation from the said Directorate visited Athens from 12 to 14 November 2025. The delegation consisted of Mr. Jeremie Dovoedo, Mr. Roufai Sarhabilou Adékambi, and Ms. Rosalie Hounkannon.
The program is implemented by the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) in cooperation with the European Public Law Organization (EPLO), and aims at strengthening Benin’s industrial property ecosystem.
During the visit, OBI officials (K. Margellou, Μ. Lamprou Maurer, Α. Pittaras, L. Galonis) presented to the participants the structure and operation of the Organisation, as well as the online system for filing applications and registering industrial property rights.
The participants were also informed about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the patent examination process, while recent legislative developments in the field of industrial property and awareness-raising actions for the public and businesses on the importance of industrial property protection were presented. The program included a visit to OBI’s titles archive and a demonstration of the artificial intelligence tool (THALES) developed by OBI.
An expert from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food presented the protection of traditional local products through the registration of PDO/PGI/TSG indications, as well as the practices adopted by Greek producers to safeguard the related rights.
The visit concluded at the 1st Customs Office of Piraeus, where the procedure for seizing counterfeit and imitation products was presented.
Ms. Katerina Margellou, Deputy Director General of OBI and Director of Legal Support, highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two national authorities for the benefit of the industrial property ecosystem.
