What is a patent?
A patent is an industrial property right that protects a new solution to a technical problem for a limited period when legal conditions are met. In Türkiye, patent matters are administered by TÜRKPATENT under Industrial Property Law No. 6769 and applicable legislation.
Requirements for obtaining a patent
- Novelty: The invention must not have been publicly disclosed anywhere in the world in any form before the filing or priority date.
- Inventive step: The invention must not be obvious to a person skilled in the relevant technical field in light of the prior art.
- Industrial applicability: The invention must be capable of being made or used in an industry.
How is a patent application filed?
- Preliminary assessment: A preliminary assessment of your invention’s patentability is carried out.
- Patent search: The prior art is searched and similar inventions are examined.
- Description: A description explaining the invention’s technical features is prepared.
- Filing with TÜRKPATENT: The application file is submitted to TÜRKPATENT.
- Formal examination and search: Formal requirements are checked and a search report is prepared.
- Publication and examination: The application is published after a period of time and examination proceeds.
- Registration: Once all requirements are met, the patent is granted and protection begins.
Core elements of the application
- Description: Includes the technical field, prior art, a detailed explanation and embodiments of the invention.
- Claims: The technical features for which protection is sought are defined in the claims.
- Abstract: A brief technical summary of the invention is provided.
- Required drawings: Figures and technical drawings that aid understanding of the invention are included.
Patent or utility model?
A patent does not always provide freedom to manufacture or market a product.
- Utility model
- Suitable for solutions involving technical innovations.
- The examination process is more limited.
- May reach a result faster.
- Preferred for practical solutions and smaller-scale technical developments.
- Patent
- Provides broader protection for technical inventions.
- The examination process is more detailed.
- The protection period is longer than for a utility model.
- A strong protection tool for technological investments.
Points to consider before filing
- Confidentiality: Define a confidentiality strategy before disclosing your invention early.
- Entitlement: Correct identification of the inventor and rights holders is important.
- Technical description: The invention’s technical features should be explained clearly and supported adequately.
- Claims: Careful drafting of claims defining the scope of protection is essential.
- International strategy: Foreign filing and protection plans should be defined before filing.
- Deadline management: Tracking filing, priority, search and examination deadlines is important.
Which inventions can be patented?
Subject to the exceptions in the legislation, patent protection can apply to products and methods developed in various fields of technology. Examples:
- Mechanical devices and machine systems
- Electronic circuits and technical control systems
- Chemical compositions and industrial formulations
- Production and processing methods
- Energy generation and storage technologies
- Medical devices and technical equipment
- Technical inventions in agricultural and food technologies
- Computer-implemented inventions with a patentable technical character
What is not considered an invention?
Discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical methods, computer programs as such, plans and rules for business activities, and products of an aesthetic nature are not regarded as inventions to the extent specified in the law. The law also contains specific exceptions for inventions and methods for which a patent cannot be granted. The fact that an idea is commercially valuable does not by itself mean it is patentable. The decisive factor is the existence of a technical solution eligible for patent protection.
How many years does patent protection last?
In Türkiye, the term of patent protection is 20 years from the filing date. This term cannot be extended. To keep the patent in force, the annual fees set out in the legislation must be paid on time. Failure to pay the fees may cause the patent right to lapse. Patent protection is territorial. A patent obtained in Türkiye does not automatically provide protection in other countries. If protection abroad is the goal, the national or regional systems of the relevant countries or international filing options under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) should be considered.
How long does a patent application take?
The time it takes to conclude a patent application varies with the technical field, the search and examination reports, the quality of the application documents, the Office’s workload and any deficiencies that arise during the process. There is no fixed registration period that applies to every patent application. Filing early can be important for securing a filing date and establishing ownership of the right. However, early filing must be weighed against the need for a complete technical disclosure.
Patent application fees
The cost of a patent application is not limited to the initial official filing fee. The main items that can affect the total cost are:
- TÜRKPATENT official fees
- Patent search and preliminary assessment services
- Drafting the specification and claims
- Preparing technical drawings
- Actions during the search and examination stages
- Patent attorney service fees
- Annual fees
- Country and local agent costs if protection abroad is sought
The patent application process with Kupon Patent
Patent registration is an industrial property protection that gives the inventor the right to prevent unauthorised commercial use of the invention for a certain period. An effective patent strategy requires not only filing the application but also defining the technical features of the invention correctly, drafting the claims carefully and managing the application process professionally. Kupon Patent offers services to inventors, entrepreneurs, R&D teams and businesses that address the technical and legal aspects of the patent application process together. Our approach focuses not only on filing the application but on building a suitable protection strategy for the invention. In this context, we provide support with the preliminary assessment of the invention, patent searches, preparation of the application documents, follow-up of TÜRKPATENT procedures, correspondence during examination and management of rights after registration. Our aim is to help build sustainable industrial property protection suited to the nature of the technology developed and the commercial goals of the business.
