Design registration is the official way to protect the outward appearance of a product, meaning its shape, lines, colours, texture or ornamentation, under the Industrial Property Law. In Turkey, applications are filed with TÜRKPATENT. This article covers the general framework; every file may have its own specifics.

What to do before filing. It is useful to search for similar designs first. If the design was made public before the filing date, the novelty requirement may become harder to meet. A preliminary search can help you check this. It is also worth recording when and where the design was first shared, to avoid problems later.

Documents and information usually requested:

• The applicant's identity and contact details, as a natural or legal person
• Clear views of the design, such as drawings or photographs showing all sides of the appearance
• Information on the product or product group and its international classification
• For applicants resident abroad, authorised representative details where the law requires them
• A priority document, if the application relies on an earlier filing date

TÜRKPATENT examines procedural requirements and protection conditions; examination is not limited to formalities. Deficiency notices, refusal decisions and publication steps should be followed according to the file’s status. Third-party objections may also arise. Applicants should archive correspondence and review notices requiring a response with their representative.

Risk of refusal and objections. Insufficient images, a design already made public, or a design too close to an existing one may lead to refusal or objections. These risks should shape your filing strategy, so an assessment before filing is worthwhile.

Fees. Official design registration fees follow the published TÜRKPATENT fee schedule and may change over time. This article does not state a fixed amount. Please verify the current schedule with TÜRKPATENT before filing.

Term of protection. A registered design is first protected for 5 years. This period can be extended in five-year periods, up to a maximum of 25 years. Renewal timing and procedures should be followed under the applicable rules.

When preparing a file, distinguish prototype photographs from the appearance intended for sale. If the body of a desk lamp has changed, selecting an earlier drawing for filing may make later comparisons harder. Include the product code, version and viewing angle in image filenames so similar files do not become mixed up. Record separately who designed the product, who manufactures it and who will apply. Assigning a team member to check the images helps identify missing views and inconsistent versions before filing.

To plan your filing, you can review our design registration service page (/en/hizmetler/tasarim-tescili) or request a free preliminary search. This article is for general information only; consult our attorney for an assessment specific to your file.

This article is for general information only; consult our attorney for an assessment of your specific case.