Turkish Patent Institute Gets Electronic Makeover
The Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) has improved its online system to ensure that users are able to file, track and oppose applications in just a few clicks. It has recently announced – on its website and in seminars organised in Ankara and Istanbul – details of further steps to implement a system that is both more efficient and in keeping with the demands of the contemporary technological society by January 2013. The current website has a user-friendly interface divided into… »
Comment: Closing The Gap – Counterfeit Drugs in Turkey
The World Health Organisation (WHO) define counterfeit pharmaceutical products as follows: “a counterfeit medicine is one which is deliberately, and fraudulently, mislabelled with respect to identity and/or source. Counterfeiting can apply to both branded and generic products, and counterfeit products may include products with the correct ingredients or with the wrong ingredients, without active ingredients, with insufficient active ingredient or with fake packaging.” The… »
Filing of several Applications Similar to Well-known Mark May Indicate Bad Faith
In a case involving the trademarks SAIKON and SEIKO, the 11th Civil Chamber of the Turkish Court of Appeal has considered that the filing of several trademark applications that were similar to a registered trademark was an indication of bad faith. The plaintiff, a Japanese watch company, filed an opposition against the application for the trademark SAIKON by Enerji Elektronik San ve Tic AŞ, on the grounds that: it was similar to its earlier registered trademarks SEIKO; its… »
New Online System for Customs Applications Introduced
The Turkish customs legislation concerning IP protection was amended on April 1 2013 and, as a consequence, IP rights holders can now file customs applications via the website of the General Directorate of Customs in Ankara. These customs applications cover all imported and exported shipments, as well as goods in transit at all Turkish customs gates and free trade zones. IP rights holders are entitled to file such applications directly, but must bear in mind that the new… »
Turkey: Turkish Patent Institute Opts For Paperless System
The Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) has taken steps towards a totally paperless system with its updated online system, enabling users to file, track and oppose applications in just a few clicks. This makeover, where notifications are also to be communicated electronically, ensures that applications are processed by up to half the amount of time, with the TPI expressing that it aims to review trademark applications within a six-month period, as opposed to the current… »
The New Playground for Electricity & Petroleum in Turkey
Turkey has been very active in terms of legislative changes relating to its energy market in the first half of 2013. A new law regulating the Turkish electricity market (“new EML”) was enacted in March, followed by the long-awaited new Petroleum Law (the “NPL”) in May. This legislative activity is a part of Turkeys efforts to improve its energy regulations and to attract more investors in its energy markets. This article explains the most important aspects of the new EML and… »
The New Playground for Electricity & Petroleum in Turkey (1)
Turkey has been very active in terms of legislative changes relating to its energy market in the first half of 2013. A new law regulating the Turkish electricity market (“new EML”) was enacted in March, followed by the long-awaited new Petroleum Law (the “NPL”) in May. This legislative activity is a part of Turkey’s efforts to improve its energy regulations and to attract more investors in its energy markets. This article explains the most important aspects of the new EML and… »
TPI Protects GUCCI Against HUCCI for Class 20 Goods
The Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) hasprovided wider protection for a well knowntrade mark against an application filed for dissimilar goods, considering that the application may be to the detriment of the distinctiveness of the well known trade mark. The applicant, Cevdet Akif Usta, applied to register its trade mark (illustrated, right) before the TPI for goods in class 20; this application was published in the Official Trade mark Bulletin on December 12, 2011. Guccio Gucci… »
New Legislation to Have Significant Impact on Trademarks for Alcoholic Beverages
Under the new legislation, the names, brands and other distinctive elements of alcoholic beverages cannot be used on non-alcoholic and similar products. Similarly, the names, brands and other distinctive elements of non-alcoholic and similar products cannot be used on alcoholic beverages. This rule shall not apply to products that are intended for exportation. The relevant regulations will be issued by the Regulatory Council for Tobacco and Alcohol Markets within two months… »
Patents, Trade Marks, Copyright and Designs in Turkey: Overview
Patents 1. What are the legal requirements to obtain a patent? There are three main patentability criteria: Industrial applicability. Surpassing invention step. Novelty. For inventions that meet these criteria and application must be filed with the Turkish Patent Institute to register the patent. 2. What categories are excluded from patent protection? The categories that are aligned with Article 53 of the European Patent Convention (EPC) are (Article 6, Patent Decree… »
Yours and Mine: Protect Your Law Firm’s Intellectual Property Assets
Creating and maintaining a reputabie and trusted brand has become increasingly important for all law firms. Trademarks and copyrights are the most important IP rights for law firms and should be given a high level of attention by senior management. Trademarks form the legal basis for protecting a law firm’s brand, while copyrights form the legal basis for protecting its knowledge. In order to have a successful and sustainable business, both the firm’s brand and knowledge need… »
Court Clarifies Differences in Scope Between Articles 7/1(b) and 8/1(b) of Decree Law
The Court of Appeal has established and clarified the differences in scope and implementation between Article 7/1(b) and Article 8/1(b) of the Turkish Decree Law 556 pertaining to the Protection of Trademarks (Decision 2010/10214E). Article 7/1(b) provides that the Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) can reject ex officio trademark applications that are identical, or indistinguishably similar, to earlier trademarks or trademark applications. In contrast, Article 8/1(b) provides… »