Annual Technical Report 2003 on Trademark Information Activities submitted by Turkey (SCIT/ATR/TM/2003/TR)

 

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I. Evolution of registration activities

Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year are as follows;

The number of trademark applications received in 2003 was 37.923, which is increased 6.28 % with respect to the year 2002.

The number of trademark registrations issued in 2003 is 21.595, which is increased 39.93 % with respect to 2002.

The number of the applications applied by foreigners in 2003, including international applications filed through Madrid Protocol, is 7987, which is increased 6.8 % with respect to the year 2002.

In 2002, the number of applications of the first three classes, which were applied mostly,

· Class 35 (in 2003): 11831, (in 2002): 12328 increase: -4.03 %
· Class 25 (in 2003): 7679, (in 2002) : 8176 increase: -6.08 %
· Class 30 (in 2003): 5139, (in 2002) : 5247 increase: -2.06 %

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of secondary sources of trademark information, i.e., trademark gazettes

Turkish Patent Institute (TPI) publishes Official Trademark Bulletins monthly and informs the public about the trademarks which will be registered in case of no objection. All trademark applications are published on the Trademark Bulletin before registration;

TPI also publishes Official Trademark Gazette bi-monthly. All trademark applications for which the last decision is taken and the decision is registration, are published on Official Trademark Gazette.

TPI publishes two kinds of information guides about trademark applications, one for domestic applications and one for international applications. These documents include necessary information (like fees, list and class of goods and services, sample of application form etc.) to file a trademark application.

All these documents about trademarks are printed. TPI has its own web site, (http://www.turkpatent.gov.tr and http://www.tpe.gov.tr) containing basic information about all types of industrial property issues.

III. Matters concerning classifying, reclassifying and indexing of trademark information

Since January 1, 2002, TPI has been using 8th edition of the Nice Classification (International Classification of Goods and Services For The Purposes of The Registration of Marks) which contains new additional service classes (no 43 to 45). The other classification system which TPI applies is Vienna Classification (International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks).

In examination procedures, TPI uses sub-class system, which is prepared in accordance with Nice Classification.

There is no use of electronic classification systems in TPI currently.

There is no obligation for applicants to use pre-defined terms of the classification.

Bibliographic data of the registered and applied trademarks are recorded into the trademark database. Similarity search process for the word marks can be done by using this database. But the similarity search for the figurative part of the trademarks is done manually.

IV. Trademark manual search file establishment and upkeep

All applications are collected in files, as well in database. All changes after registration are recorded not only on database but also on the files.

Paper files are kept in the archives. There are two kinds of archives, one is for applications and the other is for registrations.

Romarin CD’s and WIPO Gazette of International Marks are received periodically.

V. Activities in the field of computerized trademark search systems

Currently, trademark similarity search system is a computerized in-house system. This trademark database, which is only used for search processes for internal purpose is not open to public.

The in-house database system of TPI is based on the UNIX COMPAQ PROLIANT 5000 server and PCs serving as workstations. The computer network is based on TCP/IP protocol and built up by Ethernet Twisted Pare network. Oracle 8.1.6 and Oracle Developer used for administration and examination procedures.

VI. Administration of trademark services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, registering trademarks, assisting clients with search procedures, obtaining official publications and registry extracts)

All kinds of information about trademark registration can be received from TPI. Trademark registry is open to the public and registry extracts are available in paper form by payment of the relevant fees.

It is also possible to make similarity search before filing an application. Official publications of TPI (Official Trademark Bulletins and Official Trademark Gazettes) are also available to the public. Information documents are free of charge.

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of trademark documentation and information

There is an exchange of trademark statistics related to the number of the applications and registrations between TPI – WIPO and TPI - OHIM.

There is also mutual exchange of Official Trademark Gazette between TPI and about 80 different countries.

VIII. Matters concerning education and training including technical assistance to developing countries

TPI had offered a number of seminars, exhibitions and workshops on trademarks and geographical indications in 2003.

IX. Other relevant matters