Skip to main content

Turkey (101 texts)

Quick Access
Laws (40 texts)	Implementing Rules/Regulations (61 texts)	IP Legal Literature (7 texts)
IP Jurisprudence (3 texts)	Treaty Membership (63 texts)	Relevant links

Laws	Constitution / Basic Law (Date of current version) Turkish Constitution of 1982 (2011) Main IP Laws: enacted by the Legislature (Date of current version) Law No. 5833 of January 1, 2009 on the Amendment of the Decree-Law No. 556 of June 24, 1995 on the Protection of Trademarks (2009) Law No. 5805 of October 25, 2008 Amending the Decree-Law No. 555 of June 27, 1995 on the Protection of Geographical Indications (2008) Law No. 5147 of April 22, 2004 on the Protection of Integrated Circuits Topographies (as last amended by Law No. 5728 of January 23, 2008) (2008) Law No. 5042 on the Protection of Plant Breeders' Rights for New Plant Varieties (2008) Law No. 5846 of December 5, 1951 on Intellectual and Artistic Works (as last amended by Law No. 5728 of January 23, 2008) (2008) Law No. 5194 of June 22, 2004 Amending Decree-Laws No. 551, 556, 554 and 555 (2004) Law No. 4630 of February 21, 2001 on the Amendment of Certain Articles of Law No. 5846 of December 5, 1951 on Intellectual and Artistic Works (2001) Law No. 4128 of November 7, 1995 on the Amendments to the Decree-Laws No. 551, 552, 554, 555, 556 and 560 (1995) IP-related Laws: enacted by the Legislature (Date of current version) Law No. 6112 of February 15, 2011 on the Establishment of Radio and Television Enterprises and their Media Services (2011) Turkish Commercial Code (Law No. 6102 of January 13, 2011) (2011) Law No. 6100 of January 12, 2001 on Civil Procedure (2011) Turkish Code of Obligations (Law No. 6098 of January 11, 2011) (2011) Law No. 5320 of March 23, 2005 on the Enforcement and Application Procedure of the Criminal Procedure Code (as last amended by Law No. 6217 of March 31, 2011) (2011) Criminal Procedure Code (Law No. 5271 of December 4, 2004, as last amended by Law No. 6217 of March 31, 2011) (2011) Turkish Criminal Code (Law No. 5237 of September 26, 2004, as last amended by Law No. 6217 of March 31, 2011) (2011) Code of Press (Law No. 5187 of June 9, 2004, as last amended by the Decision of the Constitutional Court of April 28, 2011) (2011) Law No. 4691 on Technology Development Zones (2011) Law No. 4458 of October 27, 1999 on Customs (2011) Law No. 2863 of July 21, 1983 on Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property (as last amended by Law No. 648 of August 8, 2011 and Law No. 653 of August 23, 2011) (2011) Law No. 657 of July 14, 1965 on Civil Servants (2011) Law No. 5977 of March 18, 2010 on Biosafety (2010) Law No. 5809 of November 5, 2008 on Electronics Communication (2008) Law No. 5728 on Amendments to Various Laws and Some Other Laws in order to be in Compliance with the Basic Criminal Laws (2008) Law No. 5651 on Regulating Broadcasting in the Internet and Fighting Against Crimes Committed through Internet Broadcasting (2008) Law No. 5366 of June 16, 2005 on Usage of Timeworn Historical and Cultural Real Property with Restoration and Protection (2008) Law No. 5224 of July 14, 2004 on the Evaluation, Classification and Promotion of Cinema Films (as last amended by Law No. 5728 of February 8, 2008) (2008) Law No. 5000 of November 6, 2003 on the Establishment and Functions of the Turkish Patent Institute (as last amended by the Decision of Constitutional Court of January 31, 2008) (2008) Law No. 4054 of December 12, 1994 on the Protection of Competition (2008) Law No. 5718 on November 27, 2007 on International Private and Procedure Law (2007) Seed Law (Law No. 5553 of October 31, 2006) (2006) Law No. 5252 of November 4, 2004 on Enforcement and Implementation of the Turkish Criminal Code (2004) Law No. 4865 of June 4, 2003 on the Establishment of the National Boron Research Institute (2003) Law No. 4686 of June 21, 2001 on International Arbitration (2001) Law No. 4421 of July 28, 1999 amending Turkish Criminal Code (1999) Law No. 4083 of February 28, 1995 on the Exercise of Military-Industrial Activity in case of Military Mobilization and War (1995) IP Laws: issued by the Executive (Date of current version) Decree-Law No. 555 of June 27, 1995 on the Protection of Geographical Indications (as last amended by Decision of the Constitutional Court No. 2009/16 of March 12, 2009) (2009) Decree-Law No. 551 of June 24, 1995 on the Protection of Patent Rights (as last amended by the Decision of the Constitutional Court No. 2009/19 of February 5, 2009) (2009) Decree-Law No. 554 of June 24, 1995 on the Protection of Industrial Designs (as last amended by the Decision of Constitutional Court of February 5, 2009) (2009) Decree-Law No. 556 of June 24, 1995 on the Protection of Trademarks (as last amended by Law No. 5833 of January 21, 2009) (2009)

Implementing Rules/Regulations	Intellectual Property (Date of current version) Regulation on Promotion and Title Changes of the Turkish Patent Institute's Staff (2011) Communiqué on the Increase of the Lower Thresholds for Administrative Fines Specified in Paragraph 1, Article 16 of Act No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition, to be valid until 31/12/2011 (Communiqué No. 2011/1) (2011) Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Regarding the Certification of the Enterprises Disseminating or Performing the Record, Copying and Sale of the Materials on which Intellectual and Artistic Works are Fixed (as last amended by Regulation No. 27864 of March 4, 2011) (2011) Regulation on Authorization of Pharmaceutical Products for Human Use (2011) Regulation on Domain Names (2010) Regulation on Intellectual Property Rights Common Database (2010) Regulation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Painting and Sculpture Museum (2010) Communiqué No. 2010/4 Concerning the Mergers and Acquisitions Calling for the Authorization of the Competition Board (2010) Regulation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and Products (2010) Regulation on the Working Principles of the Biosafety Board and Committees (2010) Regulation on Protection and Preservation of Collections of Movable Cultural Movable Cultural and Natural Heritages (2010) Communiqué on the Regulation of the Right of Access to the Files and Protection of Trade Secrets Communiqué No. 2010/3 (2010) Communiqué on Hearings Held vis-à-vis the Competition Board Communiqué No. 2010/2 (2010) Communiqué on an Increase in the Lower Limit of the Administrative Fine Provided for in Article 16, paragraph one of the Act on Protection of Competition No. 4054, valid until 31/12/2010 (2010) Regulation on the Procedure and Principles for the Implementation of the Bandrole System (as last amended by Regulation No. 27746 of November 1, 2010) (2010) Regulation on Classification Registration and Acceptance to Museums Movable Cultural and Natural Property which needs Protection (2009) Regulation on Active Cooperation Cartels (2009) Regulation on Fines to Apply in Case of Agreements, Concerted Practices and Decisions Limiting Competition and Abuse of Dominant Position (2009) Regulation on Registration of Plant Varieties (2009) Implementing Regulations under Decree-Law No. 554 of June 27, 1995 on the Protection of Industrial Designs (2009) Implementing Regulations under Decree-Law No. 551 of June 24, 1995 on the Protection of Patent Rights (as last amended by Regulation No. 27207 of April 21, 2009) (2009) Implementing Regulations under the Decree-Law No. 555 of June 27, 1995 on the Protection of Geographical Indications (as last amended by Regulation No. 27207 of April 21, 2009) (2009) Block Exemption Circular on Technology Transfer Agreements Circular No. 2008/2 (2008) Regulation on the Devolution of Power on Certifications on Seed Sector (2008) Block Exemption Communiqué in Relation to the Insurance Sector (Communiqué No. 2008/3) (2008) Regulation on the Recording and Registration of the Intellectual and Artistic Works (as last amended by Regulation No. 27038 of October 28, 2008) (2008) Regulation on Procedures and Principles Regarding the Use of Deductions Made from the Costs of Carrying Materials That Include Intellectual and Artistic Works and Technical Devices Used to Copy These Works (2008) Regulation on Employees of Public Institutions and Agencies Benefiting from the Breeders' Rights (2008) Implementing Regulations on Protection of Plant Breeders' Rights for New Plant Varieties (2008) Regulation on Customs Enforcement (as last amended by Regulation No. 26931 of July 9, 2008) (2008) Implementing Regulations to the Convention on the Grant of European Patents (EPO) (as last amended by Law No. 26883 of May 22, 2008) (2008) Regulation on Internet Public Use Providers (2007) Regulation on Turkish Patent Institute Agents Patent Examination on Trademark and Patent Attorney and Registry (2007) Block Exemption Communiqué on Vertical Agreements Amended by the Competition Board Communiqué No. 2003/3, Communiqué No. 2002/2 (2007) Communiqué on an Amendment to the Communiqué No. 1997/1 on the Mergers and Acquisitions Calling for Authorization of the Competition Board, and on Abolition of Communiqués No. 1997/2 and 1997/6; Communiqué No. 2006/2 (2006) Regulation Revoking the Regulation on Inspection of Cinema, Video and Music Works of Art (2005) Block Exemption Communiqué on Vertical Agreements and Concerted Practices in the Motor Vehicle Sector Communiqué No. 2005/4 (2005) Regulation on Operating Procedures and Rules of the Counseling Board of the Turkish Patent Institute (2005) Implementing Regulations under Decree-Law No. 556 of June 24, 1995 on Protection of Trademarks (2005) Implementing Regulations under Law No. 5147 on Protection of Integrated Circuits (2004) Regulation on the Re-examination and Review Committee of the Turkish Patent Institute (2004) Regulation on Employment of Foreign Experts at the Turkish Patent Institute (2004) Regulation on Procedures and Principles on Broadcasting and/or Transmission of Works, Performances and Productions (2004) Block Exemption Communiqué on Research and Development Agreements No. 2003/2 (2003) Implementing Regulation of Law No. 4691 on Technology Development Zone (2002) Regulation on the Statute of the Collecting Societies and Federations for the Authors of the Intellectual and Artistic Works and Related Rights Holders (as last amended by Regulation No. 4683 of August 13, 2002) (2002) Regulation on Procedure and Principles of Use of the Intellectual and Artistic Works on Radio and Television Broadcasts (2001) Regulation on the Marking of Intellectual and Artistic Works (as last amended by Regulation No. 24577 of November 8, 2001) (2001) Regulation on the Implementation of Law No. 4458 of October 27, 1999 on Customs (2000) Regulations on the Amendments to the Regulations regarding the Marking of Intellectual and Artistic Works (1998) Communiqué on the Procedures and Principles to be Pursued in Pre-Notifications and Authorization Applications to be Filed with the Competition Authority to Acquisitions via Privatization to Become Legally Valid, Amended by the Competition Board Communiqué No. 1998/5 (Communiqué No. 1998/4) (1998) Block Exemption Circular on Franchise Agreements No. 1998/7 (1998) Regulations on Neighboring Rights to the Authors of Works (1997) Communiqué on the Conclusion of the Organization of the Competition Authority No. 1997/5 (1997) Block Exemption Circular on Exclusive Distribution Agreements No. 1997/3 (1997) Implementing Regulations under the Decree-Law No. 555 of June 27, 1995 on the Protection of Geographical Indications (1995) Regulation on the Scuba Diving in Turkish Territorial Waters for Sportive Purposes (1990) Regulation on Enterprise License to be given to the Film, Video, Record and Cassette Administrators (as last amended by Regulation No. 87/11715 of June 26, 1987) (1987) Regulation on Certificate of Authority to be issued by Authors of Intellectual and Artistic Works (1986) Regulation on Research, Drilling and Excavation of Cultural and Natural Property (1984) Regulation on Exporting and Importing of Movable Cultural and Natural Property that Needs to be Protected (1984)

IP Legal Literature	Guidelines on Remedies Acceptable by the Turkish Competition Authority in Merger/Acquisition Transactions (2011) Guidelines on Undertakings Concerned, Turnover and Ancillary Restraints in Mergers and Acquisitions (2011) Guidelines on the Implementation of Technology Transfer Agreements on Articles 4 and 5 of Competition Law No. 4054 (2009) Guidelines on Certain Subcontracting Agreements between Non-Competitors (2008) Guidelines on the Definition of Relevant Market (2008) Guidelines on the Voluntary Notification of Agreements, Concerted Practices and Decisions of Associations of Undertakings (2006) Guidelines on the Explanation of the Block Exemption Communiqué on Vertical Agreements No. 2002/2 (2003)

IP Jurisprudence	Decision of the Constitutional Court No. 2009/16 of March 12, 2009 Cancelling some of the Provisions of Decree-Law No. 555 of June 27, 1995 on the Protection of Geographical Indications and Decree-Law No. 556 of June 24, 1995 on the Protection of Trademarks (2009) Decision of the Constitutional Court No. 2009/19 of February 5, 2009 Cancelling Some Provisions of Decree-Law No. 551 on the Protection of Patents Rights, and Decree-Law No. 554 on the Protection of Industrial Designs (2009) Decision of the Constitutional Court Regarding some of the Provisions of Decree Law No. 556 (2008)

Treaty Membership	WIPO-Administered Treaties (Entry into force of the Treaty for the Contracting Party) Summary Table of Membership of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Treaties Administered by WIPO, plus UPOV, WTO and UN Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration ... Patent Law Treaty ... Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks ... WIPO Copyright Treaty (November 28, 2008) WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (November 28, 2008) Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs (January 1, 2005) Trademark Law Treaty (January 1, 2005) Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (April 8, 2004) Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (January 1, 1999) Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Micro-organisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (November 30, 1998) Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs (November 30, 1998) Strasbourg Agreement Concerning the International Patent Classification (October 1, 1996) Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (January 1, 1996) Patent Cooperation Treaty (January 1, 1996) Vienna Agreement Establishing the International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks (January 1, 1996) Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (May 12, 1976) Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (January 1, 1952) Madrid Agreement for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source on Goods (August 21, 1930) Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (October 10, 1925) IP-related Multilateral Treaties (Entry into force of the Treaty for the Contracting Party) Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ... Protocol (III) additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the adoption of an additional distinctive emblem ... United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (August 1, 2011) International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2005 (February 21, 2010) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (January 12, 2010) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (October 28, 2009) Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (August 28, 2009) International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) (November 18, 2007) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (September 5, 2007) Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (June 27, 2006) International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods (June 21, 2006) International Plant Protection Convention (October 2, 2005) WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (March 31, 2005) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (May 24, 2004) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (January 24, 2004) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (December 23, 2003) Convention on Biological Diversity (May 15, 1997) Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO) (March 26, 1995) World Trade Organization (WTO) - Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) (1994) (March 26, 1995) Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (June 16, 1983) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (July 21, 1981) Convention on Transit Trade of Land-locked States (April 24, 1969) Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (March 15, 1966) Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (March 15, 1966) Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (August 10, 1954) Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea (August 10, 1954) Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (August 10, 1954) Convention and Statute on Freedom of Transit (September 25, 1933) IP Regional Treaties (Entry into force of the Treaty for the Contracting Party) Convention on the Grant of European Patents (EPO) (November 1, 2000) European Convention relating to the Formalities required for Patent Applications (November 1, 1956) Regional Economic Integration Treaties (Entry into force of the Treaty for the Contracting Party) Protocol Relating to Trade Negotiations Among Developing Countries Agreement ... Economic Cooperation Organisation Trade Agreement (April 24, 2008) IP-relevant Bilateral Treaties (Entry into force of the Treaty for the Contracting Party) Agreement between the Republic of Chile and the Republic of Turkey concerning the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments ... Free Trade Agreement between Chile and Turkey (March 1, 2011) Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Albania (May 1, 2008) Agreement Establishing a Free Trade Area between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Turkey (March 1, 2007) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Morocco (January 1, 2006) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Tunisia (June 1, 2005) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 1, 2003) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey for Protection of Copyrights and Similar Rights (April 13, 1998) Agreement between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Albania concerning the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (December 26, 1996) Agreement between the Government of Argentina and the Government of the Republic of Turkey concerning the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (May 1, 1995) Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA States and Turkey (April 1, 1992) Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Turkey concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investment (May 18, 1990)

Relevant links	Directory of IP Offices

Last Updated December 19, 2012

WIPO Lex

Related Links

E-newsletters

Enter e-mail address below to subscribe to updates

ABOUT WIPO IP SERVICES PROGRAM ACTIVITIES RESOURCES NEWS & EVENTS