Likelihood of Association Between Bull Device Mark and RED BULL Marks
In a dispute involving the RED BULL mark, the Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) has provided guidance on how it will interpret the likelihood of association between a trademark application and an earlier trademark. In December 2009 Kamal Khanbabaei General Trading Co LLC filed an application for the registration of the figurative trademark BULZAI ENERGY DRINK for “energy drinks” in Class 32 of the Nice Clasification: Red Bull GmbH filed an opposition against the application… »
Overview of IPR Policy, Legislation and Enforcement
Policy Turkey is fully aware of the fact that an effective IPR system is the fundamental of a productive welfare society and a vital factor in enhancing Turkey’s competitive powers in the international trade. With this objective awareness and effective protection of IP rights has become one of the substantial policies of Turkey. IPR Legislations Finalised in June 1995 with the coming into force of the various decree laws regulating IP rights Turkey aligned its domestic laws… »
IP Court Confirms Principle of ‘Trademark Series’
The Ankara Second IP Court has confirmed the principle that, in order to benefit from the principle of ‘trademark series’, not only must the trademark owner own a prior trademark, but the new application must not violate the trademark of a third party and/or create a likelihood of confusion with another trademark (Case 2010/102E – 2011/8K, January 13 2011). The principle of ‘trademark series’ was recently established by the Court of Appeal: according to this principle, the… »
IP Court Confirms Principle of 'Trademark Series'
The Ankara Second IP Court has confirmed the principle that, in order to benefit from the principle of 'trademark series', not only must the trademark owner own a prior trademark, but the new application must not violate the trademark of a third party and/or create a likelihood of confusion with another trademark (Case 2010/102E - 2011/8K, January 13 2011). The principle of 'trademark series' was recently established by the Court of Appeal: according to this principle, the… »
Amendments to Trademark Decree Law Enter Into Force
Law 5833, which amends Decree Law 556 on the Protection of Trademarks, entered into force on January 28 2009 upon its publication in the Official Gazette. The new law amends Articles 9 and 61 of the Decree Law. The new law aims to fill the gaps created by the January 5 2008 decision of the Constitutional Court, which annulled certain provisions of the Decree Law and came into force on January 5 2009. Trademark owners have claimed that the delay in enacting the amendments have… »
The Dilemma Of Co-Existence Of Trademarks Under Turkish Law
Trademarks are defined as signs distinguishing the goods and services of one undertaking from the goods and services of the same kind or another undertaking. In this sense, “distinguishing certain goods and services of an undertaking from other goods and services of the same undertaking or other similar goods and services provided by other undertakings” is considered as the main function of trademark. On the other hand, in the usual flow of the business life, since the signs… »
Turkey: Hidden Advertising in Turkey
We come across with hidden advertisements on various media in our daily lives, including but not limited to TV, cinema or newspapers. The légitima of “hidden advertising” has become one of the highly debated issues in Turkey. Amongst the overall discussions and raised arguments, a common question comes into minds: What makes the hidden advertising like this popular and actual in the sector? First of all, it might be said that the advertising prohibition for certain products… »
Healthy Food Trend Grows
Many countries are becoming increasingly concerned about the issue of obesity, which by definition is: “a condition in which the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of humans and other mammals, is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality.”(1) Although obesity is an individual clinical condition, the fact that it has been observed as a serious and growing public health problem has pushed many countries to… »
Debate on Time Limits in Cancellation Actions Put to an End
The General Assembly of the Court of Appeals has put an end to the debate as to the interpretation of the expression ‘date of registration’ in Articles 14 and 42 of the Trademark Law 556 (Case 2007/11-974-2007/962, December 12 2007). Çenay Feyzioglu filed an action for the cancellation of Çetin Çakir’s trademark BIO COS (and design) or the removal of the design from the trademark based on the earlier registered trademark LOTUS (and design). Feyzioglu had also filed an action… »
IP Enforcement Must Shape Up, According to EU Progress Report
The European Commission has published its Progress Report on Turkey’s preparations for accession to the European Union. The Progress Report covers the period from October 2006 to October 2007 and focuses on economic, political and social issues. Section 4 of the report deals with Turkey’s ability to assume the obligations of membership, as expressed in the EU Treaties, secondary legislation and EU policies. Chapter 7 of this section deals with IP law, and particularly… »
Change to Recordal of Well-known Marks Implemented
In light of a recent decision of the Court of Appeals, the Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) has changed its practice with regard to the categorization and recordal of well-known marks. Turkey is a party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, both of which grant special protection to well-known marks. Turkey has also incorporated provisions on the protection of well-known marks… »
Court of Appeals Gives Unlimited Protection to Well-Known Trademarks
The Turkish Court of Appeals has recently upheld a decision of Istanbul’s second IP court involving the well-known trademark ROBERTO CAVALLI. In its decision of January 24 2006 (Cases 2004/650 E and 2006/7 K), the Istanbul Second IP Civil Court determined that the trademark ROBERTO CAVALLI, as well as being the name of a famous fashion designer, is a well-known trademark, and thus ordered the nullification of the trademark CAVALLI and other marks incorporating the word… »