What is Trademark Registration?

A trademark is any sign that can be represented in the registry and distinguishes the goods or services of one business from those of others. This may include words, shapes, letters, numbers, sounds, and the form of goods or their packaging.

METUnic provides various trademark services, including trademark registration eligibility research, trademark application filing, certificate issuance, appeals against institutional decisions, objections to trademarks published in the Official Trademark Bulletin, defense against objections, trademark renewal, transfer/partial transfer, and updates related to address, trade name, or business type changes.

1. Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye

2. Individuals or legal entities residing or conducting industrial or commercial activities within Türkiye

3. Persons entitled to apply under the Paris Convention or the World Trade Organization Agreement

4. Nationals of countries that grant industrial property rights protection to Turkish citizens based on reciprocity

Yes, a preliminary search should be conducted to determine whether the trademark is eligible for registration. This can be done using METUnic’s “trademark eligibility research service” or via the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office’s website at: https://www.turkpatent.gov.tr/arastirma-yap

Before applying, it is crucial to define the goods and services the trademark will cover. The application should only include the goods and services for which protection is sought.

The Nice Classification System categorizes goods and services into 45 different classes:

• Classes 1–34 cover goods.

• Classes 35–45 cover services.

Applicants should carefully review the classification list and correctly identify the relevant goods and services for registration. For more details, visit: https://www.turkpatent.gov.tr/marka-nice-siniflandirma or contact marka@metunic.com.tr.

A legal entity is an institution, organization, or company recognized by law, such as corporations, limited companies, associations, foundations, and cooperatives.

If the applicant is a legal entity, the “Trademark Owner Type” section should be marked as “Legal Entity.”

A natural person is an individual recognized by law from birth to death.

If the applicant is a natural person, the “Trademark Owner Type” section should be marked as “Natural Person.”

A trademark sample is the sign for which protection is sought. It can be a word, letter, number, a logo, or a combination of these elements.

• If the trademark consists only of standard letters, numbers, or words, it is sufficient to write them in the application form.

• If the trademark includes unique fonts, logos, colors, or shapes, the corresponding section of the application form should include the trademark sample.

No, the trademark sample cannot be altered once the application is submitted.

No, the class or scope of the trademark application cannot be changed after submission.

No, each application can only cover one trademark. Separate applications must be submitted for multiple trademarks.

Minor typographical errors that do not alter the brand sample or the list of goods/services can be corrected upon request by the applicant.

Yes, but the corresponding Latin alphabet equivalent must be provided.

If a trademark is not used in Türkiye within five (5) years from the registration date or is discontinued without interruption, it may be canceled.

However, use in different forms (without altering its distinctive character) or usage on exported goods and packaging may be considered valid use.

Words, shapes, letters, numbers, colors, sounds, 3D shapes, motion marks, holograms, and in rare cases, smells or tastes can be registered as trademarks.

Additionally, personal names may also be registered as trademarks, provided they can be clearly represented in the registry and ensure that the scope of protection is explicitly and precisely understood.

• Power of Attorney (Not notarized)

• Trademark Sample Document

If the original certificate is lost, damaged, or destroyed, a new certificate identical to the original is issued upon request.

The validity period of the trademark remains unchanged and continues from the original registration date. The protection period is 10 years, and renewal is required at the end of this term.

A trademark transfer refers to the process in which the owner fully or partially transfers their trademark rights to another individual or entity.

To proceed with a trademark transfer or partial transfer, a Power of Attorney (not notarized) and a Transfer Agreement must be submitted.

A registered trademark is protected for 10 years from the application date. This period can be extended indefinitely in 10-year increments.

A renewal request must be submitted by the trademark owner within six months before the expiration date, along with proof of renewal fee payment.

To complete the renewal process, a Power of Attorney (not notarized) must be provided.

Registered trademarks remain valid for 10 years from the date of registration. If they are not renewed by the expiration date, their protection period expires.

If the renewal request is not submitted or the renewal fee is not paid by the deadline, it is still possible to renew the trademark within six months following the expiration date by paying an additional fee. This process is called Renewal for Expired Trademark Protection.

However, if the trademark is not renewed within this six-month grace period, it becomes invalid.

To complete the renewal process for an expired trademark, a Power of Attorney (not notarized) must be provided.

A change of legal entity or trade name occurs when the company name or legal status registered with the trademark is modified.

To update this information, a Power of Attorney (not notarized) and a copy of the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette showing the entity or name change must be submitted.

A trademark address change occurs when the registered address of the trademark owner is modified.

If the registered address of the trademark has changed, this update must be reported to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office to ensure proper communication and notifications.

Failure to update the address may result in all official correspondence and notifications being sent to the previous address.

To complete the address change, a Power of Attorney (not notarized) and a copy of the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette reflecting the change must be submitted.

If the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office issues a decision against the trademark owner during the application or cancellation process, an objection must be filed to continue the trademark registration.

Objections must be submitted within two months from the notification date.

To proceed with an objection, a Power of Attorney and, if necessary, proof of actual ownership and trademark usage must be provided.

An objection to the Trademark Bulletin is a process used to challenge the registration of similar or conflicting trademarks.

Trademark applications that pass the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office evaluation are published in the Official Trademark Bulletin for two months. During this period, existing trademark owners can object to any applications that may cause brand confusion.

If the objection is deemed valid, the challenged trademark may be partially or entirely rejected.

To file an objection, a Power of Attorney and, if necessary, documents proving ownership and trademark usage must be submitted.

A Trademark License Registration allows the registered owner of a trademark (or a pending application) to grant usage rights to another person or company without transferring ownership.

This process ensures that both parties’ rights are legally protected and that the details of the usage agreement are recorded in the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office’s registry.

To complete the license registration, a Power of Attorney (not notarized) must be provided.

The trademark evaluation and registration process varies, but generally, it takes approximately 4-5 months from the application date.

The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office examines applications and, if approved, publishes them in the Official Trademark Bulletin for a two-month opposition period. If no objections are raised during this time, the trademark is officially registered.

Is a Trademark Registered in Türkiye Valid Internationally?

No, trademarks are only valid within the country where they are registered. A trademark registered in Türkiye is only protected within Türkiye and does not provide international protection.

To obtain trademark protection in other countries, separate applications must be submitted to those jurisdictions.

For more information, contact marka@metunic.com.tr.

A renewal request must be submitted within six months before the trademark’s expiration date. If this deadline is missed, the trademark protection will expire.

However, the trademark can still be renewed within six months after expiration by paying an additional fee.

Additionally, it is possible to renew only part of the goods or services listed in the trademark registration.

For collective trademarks, a renewal request from one of the group members is sufficient.

A registered trademark is protected for 10 years from the application date. This protection can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year increments.

Trademark applications approved by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office are published in the Official Trademark Bulletin for two months.

During this period, existing trademark owners can object to any applications they believe are similar to their own.

Yes, trademark applications differ based on whether they are submitted by an individual or a company.

• For individuals: The “Trademark Owner Type” must be marked as “Natural Person.”

• For companies: The “Trademark Owner Type” must be marked as “Legal Entity.”

A Collective Trademark is a type of trademark jointly used by multiple businesses or organizations that collaborate under a common mark for marketing products or services.

Collective trademarks help differentiate the goods and services of member businesses from those of non-members.

A Certification Trademark is a type of mark that guarantees the quality, reliability, and performance of a product or service for consumers.

It certifies that products or services meet specific quality standards, manufacturing methods, geographical origin, or other required attributes.

A Jointly Owned Trademark is a trademark that is filed and owned by multiple individuals or legal entities.

Yes, multiple companies can register a Collective Trademark to jointly use the same brand for a product or service.

To register a collective trademark, the companies must define the conditions and terms of trademark usage in a legally binding agreement.

• Collective Trademarks are created by companies working together to form a shared brand.

• Certification Trademarks indicate compliance with a specific quality standard.

Certification marks are typically used by businesses in a specific sector, whereas collective trademarks can be used across multiple industries.

You can complete your trademark registration through METUnic by visiting this link and logging in with your METUnic account, including your customer number, registered email address, and contact details.

If you do not have an active METUnic user account, you can create one via this link and proceed with your application using your METUnic account credentials.

For further details, feel free to contact us at marka@metunic.com.tr.

To complete your payment, you must first submit your application through this link.

After submitting your trademark application, a proforma invoice will be generated for payment via your METUnic user panel. You will also receive an email notification regarding this process.

Once you receive the email notification, you can view your proforma invoice under “Financial Transactions → Receipts” in your user panel and proceed with the payment.

After completing the payment, your application process will be initiated, and you will receive an email confirmation regarding the next steps.

For further assistance, contact us at marka@metunic.com.tr.