IP Lawyer in Turkey: Complete Guide to Intellectual Property Protection
- Zeynep Atım Kurucuk
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
An IP Lawyer in Turkey plays a crucial role in protecting the creative, technological, and commercial assets of businesses and individuals. From trademark registration (Marka Tescil) to patent applications (Patent Başvurusu), and from copyright enforcement (Telif Hakkı Koruma) to industrial design registration (Endüstriyel Tasarım Tescili), intellectual property law in Turkey is highly specialized.
Whether you are a foreign company expanding into Turkey, a startup launching a new brand, or an individual innovator looking to protect your inventions, understanding the IP framework is essential. This guide by Kurucuk & Associates, a leading Turkey IP Law Firm, covers every aspect: registration, enforcement, litigation, and cross-border IP protection.
What Does an IP Lawyer in Turkey Do?
Role of an Intellectual Property Lawyer Turkey
An Intellectual Property Lawyer Turkey advises and represents clients before the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (Türk Patent ve Marka Kurumu – TÜRKPATENT). Services include registrations, oppositions, licensing, enforcement, and IP portfolio management.
Why Hire a Turkish IP Attorney (Fikri Mülkiyet Avukatı)
A Turkish IP Attorney (Fikri Mülkiyet Avukatı) ensures your IP rights are secured under Turkish Industrial Property Law No. 6769, preventing counterfeiting, unfair competition, and infringement disputes.
How IP Lawyers Protect Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, and Designs
IP lawyers handle:
Trademarks (Marka Avukatı) – securing brand names, logos, slogans.
Patents (Patent Avukatı) – safeguarding inventions and utility models.
Copyrights (Telif Hakkı Avukatı) – protecting creative works.
Designs (Endüstriyel Tasarım Avukatı) – registering product designs.
Geographical Indications (Coğrafi İşaret Avukatı) – protecting origin-linked products.
Trademark Services by an IP Lawyer in Turkey
Trademark Registration Turkey (Marka Tescil / Marka Başvurusu)
Steps to register a trademark in Turkey:
Trademark Search (Marka Araştırması)
Application Filing (Marka Başvurusu) at TÜRKPATENT
Examination & Publication
Opposition Period
Final Registration & Certificate Issuance
Trademark Opposition & Litigation (Marka İtiraz, Marka Davası)
If a third party opposes your trademark, an IP Lawyer Turkey can file counter-arguments or initiate a trademark infringement lawsuit (Marka Davası).
Trademark Licensing & Assignment (Marka Lisans Sözleşmesi, Marka Devri)
Lawyers draft and negotiate agreements for brand licensing, franchising, and transfers (Marka Devri).
Patent Services in Turkey
Patent Registration Turkey (Patent Tescil, Patent Başvurusu, Faydalı Model)
Patent Başvurusu via national filing or international treaties.
Utility Model (Faydalı Model) protection for less complex inventions.
Patent Search & Examination (Patent Araştırması, Patent İncelemesi)
Before filing, a Patent Avukatı performs searches and follows TÜRKPATENT’s examination process.
Patent Infringement & Enforcement (Patent İhlali)
Patent attorneys enforce rights through injunctions, customs seizures, and damages claims.
Copyright & Related Rights
Telif Hakkı Koruma & Copyright Protection Turkey
Covers books, music, films, software, and digital works.
Copyright Agreements (Telif Hakkı Sözleşmesi)
Drafting and negotiation of license and assignment contracts.
Fikir ve Sanat Eserleri – Turkish Legal Framework
Regulated under Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works (Fikir ve Sanat Eserleri Kanunu).
Industrial Designs & Geographical Indications
Design Registration (Endüstriyel Tasarım Tescili / Tasarım Tescil)
Protection for product shapes, packaging, and aesthetic features.
Geographical Indication Registration (Coğrafi İşaret Tescili)
Safeguards goods tied to regional origin such as Antep Baklava or Aydın Fig.
Other Specialized IP Rights
Trade Secrets (Ticari Sır)
Integrated Circuit Topographies (Entegre Devre Topoğrafyaları)
IP Litigation & Enforcement in Turkey
Trademark Infringement (Marka İhlali, Sahtecilik, Taklit Ürün)
IP lawyers pursue lawsuits against counterfeiters and request injunctions.
Unfair Competition & Injunctions (Haksız Rekabet, İhtiyati Tedbir)
Protection against misleading advertising, unfair trade practices, and urgent injunctions.
Customs Seizures & Criminal IP Lawsuits (El Koyma, Ceza Davası, Tazminat Davası)
Customs watch applications allow seizure of counterfeit imports. Criminal and civil cases follow.
IP Lawyers for Specific Industries in Turkey
Pharmaceutical Patent Lawyer Turkey – handling regulatory & patent disputes.
Fashion Law & Brand Protection – stopping counterfeit luxury goods.
Entertainment & Software Copyright Lawyer Turkey – protecting code, music, films.
E-commerce & Counterfeit Goods Enforcement – Amazon, Trendyol, Hepsiburada cases.
International IP Services in Turkey
Madrid Protocol Trademark Registration Turkey
One application to protect trademarks internationally.
EPO Patent Validation & PCT National Phase Turkey
European Patent validation and PCT entry into Turkey.
Cross-Border IP Protection for Foreign Companies
Advising global corporations expanding into the Turkish market.
IP Portfolio Management Turkey
Long-term strategy for managing multiple IP rights across jurisdictions.
How to Choose the Right IP Lawyer in Turkey
Qualities of a Top Turkey IP Law Firm
TÜRKPATENT-accredited attorneys
Litigation experience
Industry-specific expertise
Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir IP Lawyer Options
Most international clients seek an Istanbul IP Lawyer. However, Ankara (home of TÜRKPATENT) and Izmir also host specialized firms.
FAQs Foreign Businesses Ask about Turkish IP Law
How to register a trademark in Turkey?
File at TÜRKPATENT, usually completed within 7–12 months.
Can foreign companies own patents in Turkey?
Yes, through national or international filings.
How to stop counterfeit products?
Apply for customs seizures, file infringement lawsuits.
Comparison Table: Trademarks vs Patents vs Copyright in Turkey
IP Right | Protects | Duration in Turkey | Authority | Example Use Case |
Trademark | Brand names, logos, slogans | 10 years, renewable | TÜRKPATENT | Register a clothing brand |
Patent | Inventions, technical ideas | 20 years (utility model: 10) | TÜRKPATENT | Protect a pharmaceutical formula |
Copyright | Creative works, software | Life + 70 years | Ministry of Culture | Protect a movie or software code |
Work with an Expert IP Lawyer in Turkey Today
Whether you need trademark registration, patent protection, or IP litigation, our experienced Turkish IP Attorneys are here to help. Contact Kurucuk & Associates now for tailored advice and robust IP protection in Turkey.