Trademark Definition and Types
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a sign used to distinguish the goods or services of one enterprise from those of others. It is registrable and legally protected. Trademarks can consist of elements such as personal names, distinctive words, letters, numbers, drawings, images, shapes, colors, logos, sounds, and moving visuals. Registered trademarks provide legal protection to the trademark owner, helping them differentiate from competitors and preserve the brand value.
Types of Trademarks
Trademarks can be categorized into different types. The most common types are:
- Word Marks: Trademarks consisting of a combination of letters, numbers, or words.
- Figurative Marks: Trademarks that include logos, symbols, or graphic elements.
- Composite Marks: Trademarks that include both word and figurative elements.
- Sound Marks: Trademarks that can be distinguished by a specific melody or sound.
- Motion Marks: Trademarks that include dynamic visuals or animations.
- Color Marks: Trademarks defined by a specific color or combination of colors.
Protection Period of Registered Trademarks
Registered trademarks are protected for 10 years from the application date. After this period, the trademark owner can renew the registration indefinitely in 10-year increments. However, the renewal must be done on time.
Reasons for Termination of Trademark Rights
A trademark may lose its protection rights in the following situations:
- Expiration of the registration period without renewal
- The trademark owner waives their rights
- It is declared invalid or canceled by a court decision
Protection Scope of a Registered Trademark
Trademark registration is valid only within the country where the application was made. Companies wishing to protect their trademark abroad must file separate registration applications in each country where protection is sought. International trademark registration can be facilitated through systems such as the Madrid Protocol.
Trademark Application Process at Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TurkPatent)
The trademark application process is carried out according to the steps defined by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TurkPatent):
- Filing the Application (Completed within 1 day)
- Examination of the Application by TurkPatent (Approximately 2 months)
- Publication Decision (The application is published in the Official Trademark Bulletin for 2 months)
- Registration Decision and Fee Payment (The registration fee must be paid within 2 months)
- Issuance of the Registration Certificate (Typically completed within 15 days)
Başalan Patent and Trademark Registration
As Başalan Patent Limited Company, we provide professional services in trademark registration, intellectual property, and industrial property rights protection with over 30 years of experience and a qualified team. We offer secure management of both domestic and international trademark applications.
For more information, please contact us!