📜 Industrial Property Code of Turkey
Article 2 – Definitions
ARTICLE 2 –
(1) In the enforcement of this Code;
a) Emblem: An emblem, which is established by the Office, indicating that the geographical indications and traditional product names have been registered in line with the provisions of this Code; used on the product or its packaging together with the name it has been registered or applied by the right owners in an easily visible manner in case it cannot be used on the product or its packaging due to its characteristics; and mandatory to be used in case of geographical signs.
b) Plant variety: The plant group within the lowest taxonomic rank defined by the expression of various characteristics resulting from one or more genotypes; distinguished from other genotypes of the same species by at least one typical characteristic, and considered as a unit with regard to its suitability for being propagated unchanged.
c) Biological material: Any material that contains genetic information and is self-reproducing or which can be reproduced in a biological system.
ç) Bulletin: The relevant publication where subjects set out in this Code are published regardless of publication medium.
d) Employee: Persons who are under the service of another party due to a private law contract or a similar legal relationship and under personal obligation with respect to this legal relationship to carry out a certain work given by the employer.
e) Office: Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT).
f) Board: The Board within the Department of Re-examination and Evaluation.
g) Trademark attorney: The persons who represent the right owners before the Office in the fields relating to trademark, design, geographical signs and traditional product names.
ğ) Paris Convention: The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property dated 20/3/1883 and the amendments to this Convention as duly enforced by the Republic of Turkey, approved by the Council of Ministers with the Decree dated 8/8/1975 and numbered 7/10464.
h) Patent attorney: The persons who represent right owners before the Office in the fields relating to patent, utility model and design rights.
ı) Industrial property right: Trademark, geographical sign, design, patent and utility model.
i) Register: The recording medium, which contains the information relating to industrial property rights and traditional product names.
j) Fee: The cost relating to services in the scope of this Code determined by the Office according to its relevant provisions inclusive of taxes and fees, if any.
📘 What Do These Definitions Mean in Practice?
Understanding Article 2 is essential to properly navigating the Turkish IP system. Here’s what each key definition signifies:
🔖 Emblem
A mandatory official symbol placed on geographically indicated or traditionally named products, ensuring consumers can verify authenticity at a glance.
🌿 Plant Variety
Not just any plant, but a specific group distinguishable from others by genetics and reproducible without change—crucial for agricultural IP protection.
🧬 Biological Material
Covers seeds, cells, and other genetically rich matter, protecting innovations in biotechnology and life sciences.
📰 Bulletin
TÜRKPATENT’s official publication—print or digital—where registrations, oppositions, and decisions are published.
👷 Employee
Clarifies who is considered an “employee” under IP law—important for determining ownership of inventions made at work.
🏢 Office
Refers to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT), the authority responsible for registration and enforcement.
🧑⚖️ Board
An internal board that reviews objections, appeals, and oppositions under the Code.
🎓 Trademark Attorney / Patent Attorney
Professionals registered with the Office who can legally represent right holders in registration, opposition, and enforcement procedures.
🌍 Paris Convention
An international treaty that underpins the priority rights and international harmonization of industrial property law.
🛠️ Industrial Property Right
An umbrella term for all registered rights—trademarks, designs, patents, utility models, and geographical signs.
📒 Register
The official electronic record where all industrial property data is stored.
💸 Fee
All monetary obligations (inclusive of taxes) tied to filings, renewals, oppositions, etc.—set by the Office.
📞 Need Professional Help with Turkish IP Law?
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