Trademark Registration in Turkey: Procedure, Requirements & Timeline
- Evren Fırat Göklü
- Dec 13, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Trademark registration in Turkey is the sole legal mechanism to obtain exclusive rights over a sign, logo, or brand name within the jurisdiction. As a member of the Paris Convention, the Madrid Protocol, and the World Trade Organization (TRIPS), Turkey offers a modern and compliant IP regime governed by the Industrial Property Code No. 6769 ("Code 6769").
For foreign businesses and international IP firms, filing a trademark in Turkey is a straightforward process when managed by a local Trademark Attorney. At Goklu Law & IP Firm, we provide streamlined filing services that minimize bureaucracy and ensure full compliance with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (“TURKPATENT”) regulations.
What is a Trademark under Turkish Law?
According to Article 4 of the Code 6769, a trademark may consist of any signs—including words, personal names, figures, colours, letters, numbers, sounds, and the shape of goods or their packaging—provided that such signs are capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings.
In Turkey, trademark protection is strictly territorial. A registration obtained in the EU (EUTM) or the US does not automatically provide protection in Turkey. Therefore, a separate national application (or designation via Madrid) is essential.
Why Register a Trademark in Turkey?
Turkey operates under the "First-to-File" principle. This means that, with very limited exceptions, the first entity to file the application is presumed to be the rightful owner. Unregistered use, regardless of duration, offers very limited protection compared to registration.
Exclusive Rights: The owner has the exclusive right to prevent third parties from using identical or confusingly similar signs.
Customs Protection: Turkey is a major transit hub. A registered trademark allows for the seizure of counterfeit goods at customs borders.
Digital Protection: Registration is a prerequisite for "com.tr" domain disputes and effective notice-and-takedown procedures on major e-commerce platforms in Turkey (Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Amazon TR etc.).
Required Documents
Unlike many other countries, no legalized or notarized documents or Power of Attorney (PoA) are required at the filing stage. To proceed with a trademark filing, we only require the following information (no hard copies needed):
Applicant Details
For Corporations: Full legal name, registered address, nationality, and e-mail.
For Individuals: Full name, address, nationality, gender, and e-mail.
Trademark Representation (Trademark Sample/Logo)
A clear, high-resolution image of the logo (JPG format, min. 300 DPI, 591 x 591 pixels).
Please note that if you cannot provide the file in this exact format, simply send us a high-resolution version. Our team will resize and format the image to meet official requirements at no extra cost.
Note: If the mark is a standard character mark (word-only), simple text input is sufficient.
Note 2: If the trademark contains non-Latin characters (e.g., Chinese, Russian/Cyrillic, Arabic), providing a transliteration (Latin alphabet equivalent) is mandatory under Turkish regulations.
Goods and Services (Classification)
Turkey follows the NICE Classification system (45 Classes). Therefore, you may provide us with:
Just the class numbers (e.g., Class 25, 35): Please note that if only class numbers are provided without a specific list, the application will be filed using TURKPATENT’s full standard list of goods and services for the specified classes.
A specific list of goods/services: A tailored list of goods/services or the list used in your home jurisdiction. We conduct a preliminary review of your list free of charge to ensure compliance with TURKPATENT practice. If amendments are required, we advise you before filing. This proactive step helps to minimize the risk of "clarification request" notifications (office actions regarding classification) during the examination phase.
The Registration Procedure & Timeline
The standard trademark registration process in Turkey takes approximately 7 to 9 months for a smooth application (without oppositions). However, the trademark protection begins from the date and hour of filing, not the date of registration. The registration process consists of four main stages:
Step 1: Filing (1 Day): Upon receiving your instructions, we file the trademark application electronically within 1 business day. TURKPATENT assigns a filing date and application number immediately.
Step 2: Formal & Substantive Examination (1-3 Months): Examiners review the application on absolute grounds (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, etc.) under Article 5 of the Code 6769. They also check for identical or indistinguishably similar prior registrations. For further details regarding absolute grounds for refusal in Turkey, please refer to our article: “Absolute Grounds for Refusal in Trademark Applications & Appeal Processes in Turkey”.
Step 3: Publication & Opposition Period (2 Months): If the application passes the formal & substantive examination, it is published in the Official Trademark Bulletin for 2 months. During this time, third parties may file oppositions based on relative grounds (likelihood of confusion, bad faith, etc.). For further details regarding relative grounds for refusal, please refer to our article: “Oppositions, Relative Grounds for Refusal, and Responses in Turkish Trademark Applications”.
Step 4: Registration (2-3 weeks): If no oppositions are filed (or if they are rejected), the Registration Decision is issued. Once the Registration Decision is issued, the applicant must pay the official registration fee within 2 months. Once the official registration fee is paid, the Digital Trademark Registration Certificate is issued in PDF format within a few weeks.
Note: If an opposition is filed or if the application is initially rejected by the Office, the opposition and appeal processes before the Re-examination and Evaluation Board (the “Board”) may extend the timeline to 12-18 months. For further details, please refer to our articles: “Absolute Grounds for Refusal in Trademark Applications & Appeal Processes in Turkey” and “Oppositions, Relative Grounds for Refusal, and Responses in Turkish Trademark Applications”.
Official Fees
The cost structure in Turkey is two-tiered:
Official Application Fee: Paid at the initial stage (varies by the number of classes).
Official Registration Fee: Paid only after the registration decision (at the end of the process).
Assistance for Foreign Associates
At Goklu Law & IP Firm, we act as a reliable local partner in Turkey for international law & IP firms and corporate IP departments. We offer:
Fluent Communication: Professional legal English.
Fast Turnaround: Same-day filing capability.
Cost-Efficiency: Competitive professional fees with no hidden costs.
Free Monitoring & Watch Service: We integrate all filed trademarks into our monitoring system. We detect and report identical or similar third-party applications to you free of charge, enabling you to take timely action.
For fee schedules or to instruct a new trademark application filing, please contact us at info@goklulaw.com.
Key Contact:
Founding Partner | Attorney at Law | Trademark & Patent Attorney
