FAQs - Recording Pledges for Trademarks in Turkey


Can trademarks be subject of a pledge?

Yes, trademarks can be pledged.

What kinds of documents are required for recording a pledge?

Pledge Agreement is required for recording a pledge.

If there are more than one pledgee, should pledge be recorded for each pledgee separately?

Yes, pledge should be recorded for each pledgee and official fee for each pledgee should be paid.

Should a trademark application have been granted for granting and recording a pledge?

No, pledge can be registered for a pending trademark application.

Should term of pledge be indicated in a Pledge Agreement for recording a pledge?

No, it is not necessarily required to be indicated in the Pledge Agreement.

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

There is no requirement for notarization or legalization of Pledge Agreement. Simple signatures of pledgor and pedgee on Pledge Agreement are sufficient to record Pledge in the registry.

Is recordal of a pledge obligatory? If not, are there any negative consequences where the pledge is not recorded duly in the registry?

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

Is the original of Pledge Agreement required?

No actually, a copy of the Pledge Agreement is sufficient provided that trademark Attorney declares that the copy is same as the original.

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

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

Is it possible to record a Pledge Agreement comprising multiple trademark cases by one pledge request at the Turkish trademark and Trademark Office?

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

Is Power of Attorney required for recording a pledge in the registry?

Power of Attorney is not required for recording a pledge.

Is there any deadline to record a pledge?

There is no deadline and requirement to record the pledge.

Are official fees payable in order to record a trademark pledge?

Yes, official fees are payable for recordal of a pledge. If there are more than one trademark within pledge, official fees should be paid for each case separately. Furthermore, if there are more than one pledgees, official fee should be paid for each pledgee.

Is a worldwide Pledge Agreement acceptable?

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

Is recordal of pledge published?

Yes, pledge is published in Turkish trademark Bulletin.

Can a pending trademark application be pledged?

Yes, a pending trademark application can be pledged; there is no requirement for grant or registration of application for the pledge.

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

In a Pledge Agreement, trademark or trademark application number subject to pledge are required; otherwise, recording pledge will not be allowed in the trademark registry.

In which conditions does a pledge cease?

Pledge ceases in the following conditions:

  • Extinction or termination of the debt due to any reasons,
  • If pledge is bound by a condition or a term, when that condition is realized or not realized or its possibility of realization of that condition disappear, and that term is lapsed,
  • Sales of trademark by compulsory execution.

In the case of cease of pledge, is it necessary to take any action for removal of pledge in the Registry?

Yes, cancellation of a pledge in the registry is only possible if pledgee or pledgees request the removal of pledge from the registry. If pledgee or pledgees refrain from removing pledge, pledgor can file a court action in respect of cancellation of pledge and can file request for removal of pledge based on the court decision.

Is pledge of rights obstacle to assign those rights?

No, pledge of rights is not an obstacle to assign those rights.

Does TURKPATENT issue a certificate or letter of pledge?

Yes, a certificate or confirmation letter of pledge is issued.

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