Attorney Bilal Alyar | Istanbul Bar Association, Reg. No: 54965 | Last Updated: March 2026

Protecting your brand in Turkey requires registration with TURKPATENT (Türk Patent ve Marka Kurumu), Turkey’s intellectual property office. Turkey follows a “first-to-file” system — the first person to file a trademark application generally has priority, regardless of who used the mark first. With Turkey’s growing consumer market and its position as a manufacturing hub for EU-bound goods, trademark protection is essential for both domestic and international businesses. This guide covers the registration process, timeline, costs, and enforcement strategies for trademark protection in Turkey.

TURKPATENT: Turkey’s IP Office

TURKPATENT is the government agency responsible for registering and administering trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial designs, and geographical indications in Turkey. Established under the Industrial Property Law (Sınai Mülkiyet Kanunu, Law No. 6769, effective January 10, 2017), TURKPATENT replaced the former Turkish Patent Institute. The agency handles approximately 150,000+ trademark applications annually, making Turkey one of the most active trademark jurisdictions globally.

Trademark Application Process

Step 1 — Trademark search: Before filing, conduct a comprehensive search of TURKPATENT’s database (available online) and common-law use to identify potentially conflicting marks. While not mandatory, a pre-filing search significantly reduces the risk of opposition or rejection. Step 2 — Classification: Select the appropriate Nice Classification classes (1-45) for your goods/services. Each additional class increases the filing fee. Step 3 — Application filing: Submit the application through TURKPATENT’s online portal (EPATS) or through a registered trademark attorney. Required information: applicant details, mark representation, class(es), and list of goods/services. Step 4 — Formal examination: TURKPATENT reviews the application for formalities. Step 5 — Substantive examination: The examiner checks for absolute grounds of refusal (descriptiveness, deceptiveness, public order). Step 6 — Publication: If no absolute grounds exist, the mark is published in the Official Trademark Bulletin for 2 months. Step 7 — Opposition period: Third parties can file opposition during the 2-month publication period. Step 8 — Registration: If no opposition or if opposition is overcome, the mark is registered. Total timeline: approximately 6-12 months without opposition, 12-24 months with opposition.

International Registration: Madrid Protocol

Turkey is a member of the Madrid Protocol, allowing Turkish trademark owners to extend their protection to 120+ countries through a single international application filed through TURKPATENT. Conversely, foreign trademark owners can designate Turkey in their Madrid Protocol applications, obtaining protection without filing a separate Turkish application. This is particularly efficient for international businesses entering the Turkish market.

Trademark Infringement and Enforcement

Turkish law provides robust trademark enforcement mechanisms: civil remedies include injunctions, damages, account of profits, seizure of infringing goods, and publication of the judgment. Criminal penalties for deliberate trademark counterfeiting: 1-3 years imprisonment and judicial fine under Law No. 6769. Customs measures: trademark owners can register with Turkish Customs (Gümrük) to intercept counterfeit goods at the border — Turkey is a major transit and manufacturing country, making customs enforcement particularly important. Online enforcement: TURKPATENT cooperates with e-commerce platforms and domain registrars for takedown of infringing content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreign company register a trademark in Turkey?

Yes. Foreign companies and individuals can register trademarks in Turkey directly through TURKPATENT or via the Madrid Protocol. No Turkish entity or presence is required. However, a Turkish trademark attorney must be appointed as the representative for correspondence.

How long does trademark protection last?

10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for additional 10-year periods upon payment of the renewal fee. Non-use for 5 consecutive years may result in cancellation on third-party request.

What are the costs?

TURKPATENT official fees: approximately 2,000-3,000 TRY per class for online filing. Attorney fees: typically $500-1,500 for a straightforward application. Opposition defense: additional $1,000-3,000 depending on complexity. Total for a single-class registration: approximately $1,000-2,500.

TURKPATENT: Turkey’s Intellectual Property Office

TURKPATENT (Türk Patent ve Marka Kurumu) is the government agency responsible for the registration and administration of all intellectual property rights in Turkey — trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial designs, and geographical indications. Established in its current form under the Industrial Property Law (Sınai Mülkiyet Kanunu, Law No. 6769), which entered into force on January 10, 2017, TURKPATENT replaced the former Turkish Patent Institute and modernized Turkey’s IP framework in alignment with EU standards. The agency processes approximately 150,000+ trademark applications annually, making Turkey one of the world’s most active trademark jurisdictions by filing volume — ahead of many EU countries. TURKPATENT operates from its headquarters in Ankara with a fully digital filing system (EPATS — Online Patent and Trademark Application System) that allows remote filing from anywhere in the world.

Types of Trademarks Registrable in Turkey

Under Law No. 6769, the following signs can be registered as trademarks in Turkey: Word marks: Company names, brand names, slogans — in any language. Figurative marks: Logos, symbols, designs — with or without text. Combined marks: Words plus figurative elements. Three-dimensional marks: Product shapes, packaging shapes (subject to distinctiveness and functionality limitations). Color marks: Single colors or color combinations (high distinctiveness threshold). Sound marks: Jingles, musical phrases (represented as musical notation or audio file). Motion marks: Animated logos (represented as video or sequential images). Hologram marks: Holographic elements. Turkey follows the “first-to-file” principle — the first person to file a trademark application generally has priority over anyone who may have used the same mark earlier without registration. This makes prompt filing essential, particularly for foreign brands entering the Turkish market.

Trademark Application: Detailed Step-by-Step

Step 1 — Pre-Filing Search: Before filing, conduct a comprehensive search of TURKPATENT’s trademark database (freely searchable at online.turkpatent.gov.tr) to identify potentially conflicting earlier marks. Search strategies: exact word search, phonetic similarity search, figurative element search (using Vienna Classification), and conceptual similarity analysis. While not mandatory, a pre-filing search significantly reduces the risk of opposition or rejection. Cost: free if done independently, $200-500 if conducted by a trademark attorney with professional databases.

Step 2 — Nice Classification: Select the appropriate goods/services classes under the Nice Classification system (11th edition). Turkey applies the Nice Classification with 45 classes: Classes 1-34 cover goods, Classes 35-45 cover services. Each additional class increases the filing fee. Careful class selection is critical — registering in too few classes leaves gaps in protection, while over-registration wastes resources and may face non-use vulnerability after 5 years. Common class combinations for Turkish businesses: Class 35 (retail, advertising) + Class 42 (technology, software) for tech companies, Class 9 (electronics) + Class 42 (software) for IT companies, Class 25 (clothing) + Class 35 (retail) for fashion brands, and Class 43 (restaurants, hotels) for hospitality businesses.

Step 3 — Filing: Submit the application through TURKPATENT’s EPATS online portal. Required information: applicant name and address (individual or company), trademark representation (word, image, or combination), list of goods/services by Nice class, priority claim if applicable (Paris Convention 6-month priority from another country), and power of attorney if filed through a Turkish trademark attorney. Filing fee: approximately 2,000-3,000 TRY per class for online filing (fees are updated annually). Step 4 — Formal Examination: TURKPATENT checks the application for formalities (completeness, correct classification, fee payment). Deficiencies must be corrected within 2 months. Step 5 — Substantive Examination: The examiner checks for absolute grounds of refusal under Law 6769 Article 5: marks that lack distinctiveness, marks that are descriptive of the goods/services, marks that are customary in the trade, marks that are deceptive (creating a false impression about the product), marks that are contrary to public order or morality, and marks that include protected emblems (flags, state symbols).

Step 6 — Publication: If no absolute grounds exist, the mark is published in the Official Trademark Bulletin (Resmi Marka Bülteni) for a 2-month opposition period. The bulletin is published online and searchable. Step 7 — Opposition: During the 2-month publication period, any party can file an opposition based on earlier rights (relative grounds). Oppositions are common — approximately 15-20% of published marks face opposition. Common opposition grounds: likelihood of confusion with an earlier registered mark (visual, phonetic, or conceptual similarity), well-known mark protection (even without registration in Turkey), bad faith filing, and agent/representative filing without authorization. The opposition procedure involves: initial opposition filing, applicant’s response (1 month), evidence exchange, and TURKPATENT decision (typically 6-12 months from opposition filing). Step 8 — Registration: If no opposition is filed, or if opposition is overcome, the mark is registered. TURKPATENT issues a registration certificate. Total timeline: 6-12 months without opposition, 12-24 months with opposition.

International Registration: Madrid Protocol

Turkey has been a member of the Madrid Protocol since 1999, enabling: Outgoing applications: Turkish trademark owners can extend protection to 120+ Madrid Protocol member countries through a single international application filed through TURKPATENT. This is significantly more cost-effective than filing individual applications in each country. The international application uses the Turkish registration as a “base mark” — if the base mark is cancelled within 5 years, the international registration is also affected (“central attack” risk). Incoming designations: Foreign trademark owners can designate Turkey in their Madrid Protocol applications, obtaining Turkish trademark protection without filing a separate national application. The designated application undergoes the same substantive examination as a national filing. For businesses establishing in Turkey, using the Madrid Protocol to protect their brand across Turkey and the broader region (Middle East, Central Asia) is highly efficient.

Trademark Infringement and Enforcement

Civil Remedies (Law 6769 Articles 149-158): The trademark owner can: obtain an injunction (ihtiyati tedbir) to stop the infringing activity — Turkish courts can grant preliminary injunctions within days in urgent cases, claim damages (actual damages, lost profits, or reasonable royalty), request seizure and destruction of infringing goods, demand disclosure of distribution channels and quantities, and publish the court judgment at the infringer’s expense. Criminal Penalties (Law 6769 Article 30): Deliberate trademark counterfeiting: 1-3 years imprisonment and judicial fine. Selling counterfeit goods knowing they are counterfeit: same penalties. Customs Enforcement: Trademark owners can register their marks with Turkish Customs (Gümrük) to intercept counterfeit goods at the border. Turkey is a major transit country for counterfeit goods destined for Europe and the Middle East — customs enforcement is actively used. Upon detection, goods are detained for 10 working days while the trademark owner decides whether to pursue legal action. Online Enforcement: Turkey has introduced specific provisions for online trademark infringement. Content removal requests can be directed to hosting providers and e-commerce platforms. Court orders for website/domain blocking can be obtained through the Criminal Court of Peace. TURKPATENT cooperates with major e-commerce platforms (Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Amazon Turkey) for takedown of counterfeit listings.

Brand Protection Strategies for Foreign Companies

Foreign companies entering the Turkish market should implement a comprehensive brand protection strategy: File early: Turkey’s first-to-file system means that filing before market entry is essential. Squatters who register foreign brand names in Turkey can block the original brand owner — recovering the mark through cancellation proceedings is possible but time-consuming and expensive. File broadly: Register in all relevant Nice classes, including defensive registrations in classes where squatting is common (Class 35 for retail, Class 42 for technology). Monitor: Subscribe to TURKPATENT’s opposition monitoring service to identify similar marks filed after yours. Watch for: identical or confusingly similar marks in the same or related classes, and marks that may dilute your brand. Enforce: Take prompt action against infringers — delay can be interpreted as acquiescence, weakening your enforcement position. Use customs registration for border protection. Maintain: Turkish trademarks are subject to non-use cancellation after 5 consecutive years of non-use. Ensure documented commercial use in Turkey for all registered classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does trademark registration cost in Turkey?

TURKPATENT official fees: approximately 2,000-3,000 TRY per class for online filing ($60-90). Attorney fees: typically $500-1,500 for a straightforward application. Opposition defense: additional $1,000-3,000 if needed. International (Madrid Protocol) extension: base fee + individual designation fees per country. Total for a typical single-class registration: approximately $600-2,000 including attorney fees.

Can I register a trademark in a language other than Turkish?

Yes. Trademarks in any language, script, or alphabet can be registered in Turkey. English, Arabic, Chinese, and other language marks are commonly registered. The distinctiveness assessment is based on how the Turkish consumer would perceive the mark — a descriptive word in English may be registrable in Turkey if Turkish consumers do not understand the meaning.

What happens if someone registers my brand name in Turkey before me?

Options: (1) File a cancellation action based on bad faith (if the registrant knowingly copied your well-known brand). (2) File an opposition if the mark is still in the publication period. (3) Negotiate a purchase or licensing agreement with the registrant. (4) File a non-use cancellation action if the mark has not been used for 5+ years. (5) Use your internationally well-known mark as a basis for cancellation under Article 6bis of the Paris Convention. Time is critical — seek legal counsel immediately upon discovering the issue.