Intellectual Property Law

Where no objection is filed, the process typically takes 6 to 10 months; it may take longer if there is a third-party objection or an objection from the Office. Protection based on the filing date applies even before registration is completed.

An action based on the unfair competition provisions may be brought for unregistered trademarks, though the scope of protection is more limited than for a registered mark. We therefore recommend registering a mark as soon as it comes into use.

A patent, under the examined system, is assessed more thoroughly for novelty and inventive step and offers 20 years of protection; a utility model is registered faster and at lower cost but protection is limited to 10 years and inventive step is not required.

The duration depends on whether an opposition is filed and the complexity of the application; unopposed applications generally conclude faster, while opposed ones take longer due to further examination.

As a rule yes, trademark protection is limited to the registered classes of goods and services; however, the law provides exceptions to this limitation for well-known marks.

Yes, the same sign may be separately registered both as a trademark, for its distinctiveness, and as a design, for its visual features, providing dual protection.

Service inventions generally belong to the employer, but the employee may claim reasonable compensation through the invention notification procedure set by law.

Original content benefits from copyright protection; the rights holder may seek removal of the content, damages, and, where appropriate, file a criminal complaint.

Trademark assignment must be in writing and must be recorded in the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office registry to be enforceable against third parties.

Yes, computer programs are protected by law within the category of literary and scientific works; unauthorised copying or distribution of the source code constitutes infringement.

Yes, unregistered use carries the risk of facing an infringement claim if another party registers the same or a similar sign first.

The exercise of rights over the work generally requires the unanimous agreement of all co-owners; in the event of a dispute, the court may be asked to make an appropriate arrangement.

No, patent protection is territorial; protection abroad requires separate applications in the relevant countries or use of international application systems.

Where domain-name use infringes a trademark right, a complaint may be filed with the relevant domain registrar, or an action may be filed directly before the Intellectual and Industrial Property Court.

Yes, if a registered trademark is not used for a set period without justified reason, it may be cancelled for non-use upon a third party's request.