The Turkish Trademark and Patent Office
("TPTO") has published the new Trademark
Examination Guideline regarding the examination of the absolute
grounds based on article 5 of Industrial Property Law numbered 6769
("IPL"). The new guideline updates the
previous one in accordance with the IPL.
While the guideline published in 2011 covered both absolute and
relevant grounds examination, the new one only includes the
examination regarding absolute grounds. The question remains
whether an updated guideline on relevant grounds will follow.
The new guideline makes a detailed explanation of the criteria
as well as necessary information and documents for non-traditional
trademark registration, such as voice, motion, position, smell, and
taste trademark applications which were explicitly regulated for
the first time under the IPL. Notable matters explained under the
new guideline include: