Turkey: COVID-19's Impacts On Trademark Prosecution (September 2020)

1. Within the context of the measures taken for combating COVID-19, how will Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TURKPATENT) function?

TURKPATENT is open and active. In order to keep the number of physically working personnel of TURKPATENT at minimum, flexible working methods such as remote or shift working will continue to be implemented. However, as TURKPATENT is a paperless office and has a functional e-filing system, the services of TURKPATENT are not interrupted in this period.

2. Is it possible to file a trademark application before TURKPATENT (the Office) during the COVID-19 measures?

Yes. As explained above, TURKPATENT continues its operations and it is possible to file trademark applications or submit any documents within the Office through the e-filing system called EPATS.

3. How will be the deadlines of oppositions, appeals, renewals or priority claim affected during the COVID-19 measures?

In the early stages of pandemic, the time limits, including the ones before the Office, were suspended from March 13, 2020 until June 15, 2020. After June 15, 2020, all official deadlines are started to be implemented as usual. At present there is not any decision or discussion for a new suspension of the time limits but it may be considered again according to the course of the pandemic.