Strong Stance Against Trade Mark Squatting In Türkiye

Trade mark squatting has unfortunately become increasingly common in Türkiye in recent years. Bad-faith applicants often identify trade marks that are registered and genuinely used abroad but have not yet been registered in Türkiye, file applications for those marks in their own names and then attempt to sell the registrations or present themselves as the rightful proprietors of the trade marks. In another common scenario, bad-faith applicants use the registrations they have unfairly obtained to prevent the real right owners from entering the Turkish market.

Fortunately, the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office continues to adopt a broad and rights-holder-friendly approach when assessing bad faith in oppositions filed against trade mark applications that are identical to distinctive trade marks registered and used abroad.