Well-Known Marks in Türkiye: Protection Beyond the Class

Trademark protection is normally confined to the registered goods and services. Well-known marks are the exception: once a certain level of recognition is established, they can stop applications far outside their own classes.

Two layers

Under the Paris Convention, marks well known in Türkiye are protected against applications for identical or similar goods even without a Turkish registration — the main line of defence for foreign brands that have not yet filed here. Separately, marks that have achieved reputation in Türkiye are protected across dissimilar goods where the later mark would take unfair advantage of, damage, or dilute that reputation.

Proving reputation

• Recognition among the relevant public, often evidenced by consumer surveys.
• Duration, geographical reach and intensity of use.
• Advertising and promotional spend over time.
• Market share, sales and turnover figures.
• The number and geographical spread of registrations.
• Earlier administrative or judicial decisions recognising the mark.

What these have in common is that they are dated and third-party sourced. A company’s own assertions carry little weight on their own.

The Office’s determination of well-known status

Proprietors may ask TÜRKPATENT to determine that a mark is well known. The fee is deliberately high — TRY 35,320 under the 2026 schedule. The benefit is that it reduces the burden of re-proving reputation in later disputes, but courts may still assess reputation afresh on the facts, so the exercise pays off mainly for portfolios that face frequent infringement.

See how reputation is deployed in oppositions in our opposition article.

Talk to us about building a reputation evidence file.

General information only, not legal advice. Official fees are revised annually.