Overview of trademark registration in Turkey?

The elements that can be registered as trademarks in Turkey are words, names, graphics, three-dimensional logos, color combinations, slogans, sounds, smells, appearances, dynamic charts and so on. Among them, three-dimensional signs, color combinations and sounds need to meet specific requirements when applying for registration.

Turkish trademark goods or services are classified according to the International Classification of Goods and Services for Trademark Registration, and the principle of "one application for one category" is applied for trademark registration. According to the provisions of the Trademark Law, Turkey can accept applications for registration of commodity trademarks, service trademarks, joint trademarks, series trademarks, color trademarks and collective trademarks.

The acquisition of trademark rights in Turkey is based on the principle of combining registration and use. The trademark right is granted to the person who first applies for trademark registration. However, within three years after the registration of a trademark, the first user of a trademark may, within six months from the date of the post-registration of the trademark or the date when the trademark registrant begins to use its trademark, stop the post-registration of the trademark from using its trademark on the grounds that its trademark has gained a certain popularity in the market, and file a request for cancellation of the trademark registration through litigation or claim procedures. The time limit for requesting this right shall not exceed 3 years at the latest after the announcement of trademark registration.

Turkey is a party to international intellectual property treaties such as TRIPs Agreement, Trademark Law Treaty, Paris Convention, Nice Agreement, W 1P0 Convention, Singapore Treaty and Vienna Agreement. Turkey has joined the Madrid Protocol, so trademark registration can also be handled through the "Madrid International Registration".