FAQs - Design License Recordals in Turkey


Which types of licenses are available for recording?

There are two types of license, exclusive and non-exclusive. A license is not exclusive if it is not agreed so in License Agreement. In the case of non-exclusive License Agreements, licensor can use design too and Licensor can grant sub-licenses for the same design. In the case of exclusive License Agreements, licensor cannot grant further licences to third parties, and cannot use design unless it reserves its rights obviously.

Can licensees assign their license rights to third parties?

No, licensees cannot assign their license rights to third parties unless any clause is available for right to assign in License Agreement.

What is the scope of rights for licensee in using licensed design?

Licensee can take any action, unless otherwise agreed, in respect of the use of design during the term of design registration. If licensee does not act in compliance with the terms and conditions of License Agreement, licensor can put forward its rights of design against licensee.

Should a design application have been granted for granting and recording license?

No, license can be granted and recorded for a pending design application.

Is there any requirement for disclosing or declaring consideration in License Agreement?

There is no requirement to disclose or declare consideration in order to validly license the rights.

Should term of license be indicated in License Agreement for recording a license?

Yes, term of license should be clearly indicated in License Agreement. Otherwise, it will not be possible to record license in the registry.

Can license be granted unilaterally?

No, license should be done mutually and the express acceptance and declaration of the Licensee is required. In other words, both licensee and licensor should simply sign License Agreement.

Is there any requirement for legalization or notarization for recording license?

There is no requirement for notarization or legalization of a License Agreement. Simple signatures of licensor and licensee on License Agreement are sufficient to record license in the design registry.

Is it possible to partially grant a license for only some of goods and/or services?

Yes, license can be granted for only some of goods and/or services

Is the recordal of license obligatory? If not, is there any negative consequences where license is not recorded duly in the design registry?

Recordal of license is not obligatory. Licenses can only have effect against third parties, who are acting in good faith, as from the date of their entry in the design register. In other words, it is not possible to put forward the rights on design against third parties acting in good faith unless and until they are duly entered in the design register.

Is the original of License Agreement required?

Not actually, a copy of the License Agreement is sufficient provided that Patent or Trademark Attorney declares that the copy is same as the original.

Is the translation of License Agreement required to record a License in the registry?

Yes, a Turkish translation approved by a sworn translator is required for recording License.

Is it possible to record License Agreement comprising multiple design cases by one license request at TURKPATENT ?

License should be individually handled for each case (case by case).

Is Power of Attorney required for recording license in the design registry?

Power of Attorney is not required for recording a license.

Is there any deadline to record license?

There is no deadline and requirement to record License Agreement in the design registry.

Are official fees payable in order to record design license?

Yes, official fees are payable for recordal of license. If there are more than one design within License Agreement, official fees should be paid for each case separately.

Is two separate license documents of the same content signed and legalized in two different countries are acceptable for recordal of license?

Yes, two separate license documents of the same content signed and legalized in two different countries are acceptable for recording license.

Is a worldwide License Agreement is acceptable?

Yes, it is acceptable provided that license refers to Turkish design application or registration number(s) therewithin.

Is recordal of license published?

Yes, license is published in Turkish Design Bulletin.

Can a pending design application be licensed?

Yes, a pending design application can be licensed; there is no requirement for grant or registration of application for license.

If a design registration or design application seized, is it still possible to license the rights thereon?

Seizure is not an obstacle to license the rights of a design.

If a design registration or design application pledged, is it still possible to license the rights thereon?

Pledge is not an obstacle to license the rights of a design.

Is there any regulatory requirement for the scope or content of License Agreement?

In a License Agreement, design registration or design application number, name of design subject to license, design numbers in order in case of multiple design registration and term of license are required within License Agreement; otherwise, recording license will not be allowed in the design registry.

Do you have further questions about license agreements for design registrations in Turkey? Please contact us. We will answer your questions as soon as possible.
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