Türkiye, a rapidly developing economic and technological hub, represents a vital market for innovators and businesses worldwide. Protecting your intellectual property (IP) here is not merely an option—it is a strategic necessity for securing market dominance. Turkish Patent Registration grants you exclusive rights to your invention, preventing unauthorized use, manufacturing, or sale by competitors.
At Akkas & Associates Law Firm, a top-notch full-service law firm based in Istanbul since 1992, we understand the critical role IP plays in your global strategy. With over 140 successful patent registrations globally, our multilingual team provides the professional, informative guidance you need to navigate the complexities of Turkish IP Law.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Turkish Patent Law and Protection
- Types of Patents Available in Turkey
- International Patent Protection Options
- Costs and Timeline Considerations
- Enforcement and Infringement Actions
- Patent Prosecution and Amendments
- Patent Licensing and Commercialization
- Working with Patent Professionals
- FAQs About Turkish Patent Registration
- Q1: What is the difference between a Patent and a Utility Model in Turkey?
- Q2: How long does the Turkish patent registration process typically take?
- Q3: Can a foreign company apply for a patent directly in Turkey?
- Q4: What is the duration of patent protection in Turkey?
- Q5: Are software or business methods patentable in Turkey?
- Contact us for a Turkish Patent Registration
Understanding Turkish Patent Law and Protection
Turkey’s patent system operates under the Industrial Property Law No. 6769, which came into effect in 2017. This comprehensive legislation harmonizes Turkish intellectual property regulations with European Union standards, making it easier for international businesses to navigate the patent landscape.
The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (Türk Patent ve Marka Kurumu) administers all patent applications in Turkey. Patents registered in Turkey provide exclusive rights for 20 years from the filing date, giving inventors and companies substantial time to commercialize their innovations without fear of unauthorized reproduction.
Types of Patents Available in Turkey
Turkish law recognizes several categories of patent protection. Invention patents cover new products, processes, or technological solutions that involve an inventive step and are industrially applicable. These represent the most comprehensive form of patent protection available.
Utility models, often called “petty patents,” protect inventions with a lower inventive threshold. These are ideal for incremental improvements to existing products and offer protection for 10 years. Utility models can be obtained more quickly and cost-effectively than standard invention patents.
The Turkish Patent System: Novelty and Inventive Step
The core of Turkish patent law, governed by Industrial Property Law No. 6769, is the concept of a patentable invention. For an invention to be granted a patent in Turkey by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT), it must meet three fundamental criteria:
- Novelty: The invention must not have been disclosed to the public anywhere in the world before the filing date.
- Inventive Step: The invention must not be obvious to a person skilled in the relevant technical field.
- Industrial Applicability: The invention must be capable of being made or used in any kind of industry, including agriculture.
Understanding these criteria is the first and most crucial step. Our specialized Turkish Patent Law Services ensure your application is meticulously crafted to satisfy all statutory requirements from the outset.
The Crucial Steps for Turkish Patent Application (2025)
The patent application process in Turkey is structured and requires precision. While the overall framework remains consistent, new fee structures and administrative nuances introduced in 2025 make expert legal support essential.
1. Preliminary Patent Search
Before formal filing, a comprehensive search of existing patents is highly recommended. This ensures your invention truly meets the novelty criterion and helps you refine your claims to avoid unnecessary objections.
- You can utilize the publicly available databases of TÜRKPATENT and the European Patent Office (EPO).
- A professional search conducted by an experienced patent attorney dramatically increases the likelihood of a successful grant.
2. Preparing and Filing the Application
The application, filed with TÜRKPATENT, must include several key components:
- Request for Grant: The formal application form.
- Description: A detailed explanation of the invention.
- Claims: Defining the scope of the protection sought. This is arguably the most critical part.
- Drawings: (Where necessary) Visual representations of the invention.
- Abstract: A concise summary.
Accuracy and clarity in drafting the claims are paramount. Vague or overly broad claims will lead to immediate rejection, highlighting the need for specialized legal drafting expertise.
3. Formal Examination
TÜRKPATENT reviews the application for compliance with formal requirements, such as correct fee payment and complete documentation. If any deficiencies are found, the applicant is granted a non-extendable time limit to make corrections.
4. Search and Examination Process
Following formal acceptance, the substantive examination phase begins.
- Search Report: TÜRKPATENT conducts a search and issues a search report listing relevant prior art.
- Request for Examination: The applicant must expressly request an examination of the application, usually within a short, non-extendable time limit following the search report. Failure to request examination on time results in the application being deemed withdrawn.
- Substantive Examination: TÜRKPATENT assesses whether the invention meets the novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability criteria based on the Search Report. Objections may be raised, requiring a reasoned response and/or amendment of the claims.
Protecting Your Invention Globally: EPC and PCT Routes
For international applicants, Turkey offers streamlined entry through major international treaties:
- European Patent Validation: Turkey is a member of the European Patent Convention (EPC). A granted European Patent can be validated in Turkey, extending its protection to the Turkish territory. This process involves filing a Turkish translation of the patent specification and paying the necessary fees within a strict three-month period from the date of the grant announcement.
- PCT National Phase Entry: The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows for a single international application. To obtain protection in Turkey, you must enter the Turkish national phase of your PCT application within 30 months from the priority date.
Our multilingual legal team is proficient in handling both EU Patent Validation and PCT National Phase Entries in Turkey, offering our clients seamless global IP portfolio management.
Annuity Payments and Maintaining Your Patent
A patent is not a “set it and forget it” asset. To keep your Turkish patent or utility model in force, annual maintenance fees (annuities) must be paid to TÜRKPATENT, starting from the second year following the filing date.
Missing an annuity payment, even by a single day, can lead to the lapse of your protection. Our firm offers comprehensive IP portfolio management and annuity payment services to ensure your valuable rights remain fully protected without interruption.
International Patent Protection Options
Turkey is a signatory to major international patent treaties, including the Paris Convention and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). These agreements provide strategic advantages for businesses seeking global patent protection.
Through the PCT route, applicants can file a single international application that provides a filing date in all PCT member countries, including Turkey. This streamlines the process of seeking patent protection across multiple jurisdictions.
The European Patent Convention allows applicants to designate Turkey as part of a European patent application. Once granted, the European patent can be validated in Turkey, offering an alternative pathway to Turkish patent protection.
Costs and Timeline Considerations
Patent registration costs in Turkey vary based on several factors. Official fees charged by the Turkish Patent Office depend on application type, number of claims, and whether expedited examination is requested. Professional fees for patent attorneys typically range from €1,000 to €3,000 for standard invention patents.
Translation costs can be significant if your application originates in another language. Annual maintenance fees begin in the third year after filing and increase progressively throughout the patent’s lifetime.
The timeline for obtaining a Turkish patent averages 3-5 years for invention patents, though utility models may be granted within 1-2 years. Strategic timing of your application can impact both costs and competitive positioning.
Enforcement and Infringement Actions
Once your patent is granted, Turkish law provides robust enforcement mechanisms. Patent owners can pursue both civil and criminal remedies against infringers. Civil actions may result in injunctions, damages, and destruction of infringing products.
The specialized Intellectual Property Courts in Turkey handle patent disputes with technical expertise. These courts can issue preliminary injunctions to prevent ongoing infringement while cases proceed.
Criminal penalties for willful patent infringement include imprisonment and substantial fines, providing strong deterrents against unauthorized use of patented inventions.
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, effective enforcement is as important as registration itself for maintaining patent value.
Patent Prosecution and Amendments
During the examination process, the Turkish Patent Office may issue office actions requiring responses or amendments. Applicants typically have 2-4 months to respond to these communications, with extensions available upon request.
Amendments to patent claims are permitted but cannot extend beyond the original disclosure. Strategic claim amendments can overcome objections while maintaining broad protection scope.
Understanding the nuances of patent prosecution significantly improves grant rates and the quality of resulting patents. The European Patent Office provides comparative resources that can inform Turkish prosecution strategies.
Patent Licensing and Commercialization
Turkish patents can be monetized through licensing agreements, assignments, or as collateral for financing. Licensing allows patent owners to generate revenue while maintaining ownership, creating income streams without manufacturing obligations.
Technology transfer agreements must be recorded with the Turkish Patent Office to be enforceable against third parties. Properly structured licensing agreements balance exclusivity, territory, and royalty considerations.
For startups and research institutions, patents serve as valuable assets that attract investment and establish market credibility. Many venture capital investors view strong patent portfolios as essential indicators of technological moat and competitive positioning.
Working with Patent Professionals
Successfully navigating Turkish patent registration requires specialized expertise. Patent attorneys registered with the Turkish Patent Office possess technical qualifications and legal knowledge essential for effective prosecution.
Professional patent services include prior art searches, application drafting, prosecution management, and enforcement strategy. The investment in qualified representation typically yields stronger patents with broader protection scope.
According to TurkPatent, applications prepared by registered patent attorneys have significantly higher grant rates than self-filed applications.
FAQs About Turkish Patent Registration
Q1: What is the difference between a Patent and a Utility Model in Turkey?
A patent protects a novel invention with an inventive step and industrial applicability. A Utility Model (sometimes called a “little patent”) provides protection for novel inventions that are industrially applicable but generally do not involve an inventive step as high as required for a full patent. The Utility Model process is often faster and less costly, offering protection for 10 years without examination for inventive step.
Q2: How long does the Turkish patent registration process typically take?
The duration can vary significantly based on the examination process and any objections raised. On average, a successful full patent (examination-required) grant can take between 3 to 4 years from the initial filing date in Turkey.
Q3: Can a foreign company apply for a patent directly in Turkey?
Yes, foreign individuals and companies can apply for a Turkish patent. However, they must be represented by a Turkish Patent Attorney authorized by TÜRKPATENT, such as Akkas & Associates Law Firm.
Q4: What is the duration of patent protection in Turkey?
The maximum term of protection for an invention in Turkey is 20 years from the filing date, provided all annual fees are paid. Protection for a Utility Model is 10 years, non-renewable.
Q5: Are software or business methods patentable in Turkey?
Generally, under Turkish IP Law, computer programs (software) as such and schemes, rules, and methods for performing mental acts, playing games, or doing business are excluded from patent protection. However, a technical invention that uses software or a business method as a component might be patentable if it meets the novelty and inventive step requirements.
Contact us for a Turkish Patent Registration
In the competitive landscape of 2025 and beyond, protecting your innovations with a robust Turkish Patent Registration is indispensable for long-term success. As an Istanbul-based law firm established in 1992, Akkas & Associates Law Firm combines decades of experience with a global perspective to offer comprehensive intellectual property protection.
Our multilingual experts are ready to assist you with everything from initial patent drafting to complex IP litigation and enforcement. Don’t leave your valuable invention vulnerable—let our proven expertise in Turkish patent, trademark, and design patent registration secure your rights and commercial future.
Contact Akkas & Associates Law Firm today to speak with a seasoned Turkish patent attorney and initiate your patent registration process in Turkey.
