Opposition (IPC art. 18)
Within two months, on the grounds of arts. 5 and 6. The opponent becomes a party and can appeal the decision.
How-to · Trademarks
How to oppose a trademark application in Türkiye
A trademark application published in Türkiye's Official Trademark Bulletin can be opposed at the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office within two months of publication, in writing and with reasons. The reasons and the opposition fee must reach the Office within the same period, which cannot be extended. Most oppositions rely on likelihood of confusion or bad faith.
- Six steps
- Every rule with its article of the Industrial Property Code
- Not legal advice
Last reviewed · Ulawk editorial team
Method
Opposition in six steps.
The period is short and strict; start preparing the day the bulletin is published. IPC below means the Turkish Industrial Property Code (Law 6769).
Reasons and fee also within two months.
An opposition without reasons filed in time is treated as not filed, and proof that the fee was paid must reach the Office within the same period (IPC art. 18(2)).
Count the deadline
Two months from publication of the application in the bulletin (IPC art. 18(1)). Put the last day in the calendar with an earlier internal date.
Choose the grounds
Likelihood of confusion with an earlier mark (art. 6(1)), filing by an agent without consent (art. 6(2)), earlier unregistered rights (art. 6(3)), well-known marks (art. 6(4), 6(5)), names, trade names or copyright (art. 6(6)) and bad faith (art. 6(9)). Absolute grounds (art. 5) can also be raised.
Write the comparison
Compare the signs visually, phonetically and conceptually, and the goods and services class by class. List the goods and services you oppose.
Prepare proof of use
If your earlier mark had been registered in Türkiye for at least five years on the filing date of the opposed application, the applicant may ask you to prove genuine use in Türkiye in the previous five years; otherwise the opposition is rejected (art. 19(2)).
Pay the fee and file
File with the Office within the period, with proof of payment (art. 18(2)). Owners resident abroad usually act through a Turkish trademark attorney.
Follow the decision
The Office asks for the applicant's observations and decides (art. 19). A decision can be appealed within the Office within two months of notification (art. 20); the Board's final decision can be challenged before the Ankara Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights Civil Court (art. 156(2)).
Two routes
Opposition and third-party observations are different.
Both come after publication, with different effects and deadlines.
Third-party observations (IPC art. 17)
Until registration, anyone may submit that the application falls under art. 5 (except paragraph 1(ç)). The observer does not become a party.
Comparison
Opposition periods at other offices.
Only periods verified against the legal text. Legal basis and extension rules are in the reference table.
| Office | Period | Starts from | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) | 2 months | Publication of the application | Industrial Property Code art. 18(1) |
| United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) | 30 days | Publication of the application | 15 U.S.C. §1063(a); 37 CFR §2.102 |
| European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) | 3 months | Publication of the application | EUTMR art. 46(1); Madrid: art. 196(2) |
| UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) | 2 months | Publication of the application | Trade Marks Rules 2008 r.17(2)–(3) |
| Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) | 2 months | Publication of the application | Trademarks Act s.38(1); s.47 |
| German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) | 3 months | Publication of the registration | Trade Mark Act (MarkenG) §42(1) |
| Japan Patent Office (JPO) | 2 months | Publication of the registration | Trademark Act art. 43-2 |
With Ulawk
Never miss an opposition deadline with Ulawk
Trademark Radar finds new filings similar to the marks you watch and shows each one with its opposition deadline. The module is enabled on quotation.
Similar filings
Similar applications in the new publications of the watched offices, graded High, Medium or Low.
Deadline and reminders
Each finding shows the office's last day to oppose; reminders go out 7 and 2 days before it.
Draft petition for Türkiye
A Word draft based on IPC art. 6(1) and, where relevant, arts. 6(3), 6(5) and 6(9). It is not filed before a trademark attorney or lawyer has reviewed it.
Trademark search
Signed-in members can search trademarks by owner name or number.
Can the Turkish opposition period be extended?
No. It is two months from publication and cannot be extended; the reasons and proof of the fee must also be filed within it (IPC art. 18).
Do I need a registered mark to oppose?
No. An earlier application, earlier unregistered rights, a trade name, copyright and bad faith are also grounds (IPC art. 6).
What if my opposition is rejected?
Appeal within the Office within two months of notification (IPC art. 20); the Board's final decision can be challenged before the Ankara Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights Civil Court (IPC art. 156(2)).
What about applications in other countries?
Each office has its own period and procedure. Periods with their legal basis are in the opposition periods table.
Official sources
- Industrial Property Code (Law 6769, Turkish)mevzuat.gov.tr↗
- Turkish Patent and Trademark Officeturkpatent.gov.tr↗
This page is general information, not legal advice.
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