Trademark Registration in Turkey

Trademark registration in Turkey provides exclusive rights to a trademark for the goods and services covered by the registration. Applications are filed with and examined by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT).

Foreign applicants can obtain trademark protection in Turkey either through a direct national application or by designating Turkey through the Madrid Protocol. The appropriate filing route depends on the applicant’s existing international trademark portfolio, the countries in which protection is required and the scope of goods and services to be covered.

How to Register a Trademark in Turkey

A direct national trademark application is filed before TÜRKPATENT. Before filing, the proposed trademark and the list of goods and services should be reviewed to identify potential obstacles to registration and conflicts with earlier rights.

The national registration procedure generally includes filing, examination by TÜRKPATENT, publication of the application, a two-month opposition period and, if no obstacle prevents registration, completion of the registration procedure.

Requirements for a Trademark Application in Turkey

A trademark application must identify the applicant, contain a representation of the trademark and specify the goods and services for which protection is requested. The goods and services are classified according to the Nice Classification.

The scope of the goods and services should be considered carefully before filing, as it determines the scope of protection sought by the application.

Foreign Applicants and Representation

Applicants domiciled outside Turkey must appoint a trademark attorney authorized to act before TÜRKPATENT for a direct national trademark application. This requirement does not apply in the same way when Turkey is designated through an international registration under the Madrid Protocol.

Examination and Publication

TÜRKPATENT first examines the application for formal requirements and absolute grounds for refusal. If the application satisfies the applicable requirements and is not refused, it is published in the Official Trademark Bulletin.

Following publication, third parties may file an opposition within two months. If no opposition is filed, or if any opposition is ultimately rejected, the application may proceed to registration upon completion of the remaining requirements.

National Application or Madrid Protocol?

Foreign applicants may obtain trademark protection in Turkey through a direct national application or by designating Turkey under the Madrid Protocol.

A national application is filed directly with TÜRKPATENT and proceeds independently under Turkish trademark law. A Madrid designation is filed and administered through the international registration system, but the designation of Turkey is still examined by TÜRKPATENT under Turkish law.

The appropriate route depends on the applicant’s existing trademark portfolio, the countries in which protection is required and the applicant’s filing strategy.

For a detailed comparison, see our Madrid Protocol vs. National Trademark Application in Turkey guide.

Registration and Protection Period

Once the application has successfully completed the registration procedure, the trademark is protected in Turkey for ten years from the application date.

Trademark registrations may be renewed for successive ten-year periods. Renewal is a separate post-registration procedure and should be completed within the applicable renewal period.

For deadlines, late renewal and renewal fees, see our Trademark Renewal in Turkey guide.

Trademark Registration Costs in Turkey

Optimum Patent assists foreign applicants and international IP firms with trademark searches, classification, national trademark applications, prosecution, oppositions and post-registration procedures before TÜRKPATENT.

Contact us for assistance with trademark registration in Turkey.