Utility Model Certificate

The Utility Model Certificate is an industrial property certificate that demonstrates a technical invention is new and industrially applicable, similar to a patent but obtainable in a shorter time and at a lower cost. It is issued by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) and grants the inventor an exclusive right for a certain period.

1. Who Is It Suitable For?

An entrepreneur/SME/manufacturer who has made a technical invention.
Purpose: Fast and relatively low-cost protection.
Protection period: 10 years (from the application date), non-renewable.
Authority (Turkey): TÜRKPATENT.

2. Minimum Criteria

Novelty: Must not have been disclosed anywhere in the world before (including publication, trade fairs, sales, patents, blogs, YouTube, etc.).
Industrial applicability: Must be manufacturable/usable.
Inventive step: More flexible than a patent; however, “entirely obvious” solutions can be rejected.
Note: Publicly disclosing the invention before application → loss of novelty.

3. Exclusions from Utility Model Scope (summary)

Method/process claims (production method, business method, etc.).
Certain subject matters such as chemical/pharmaceutical compositions (claims on product composition may be problematic).
Biotechnology, mathematical methods, aesthetic designs, discoveries, etc., excluded by industrial property legislation.
Subjects contrary to public order/morality.
If in doubt: Draft claims focused on devices/apparatus/products.

4. Preparations Before Application

Technical drawings: Numbered, with clear reference marks.
Description text: Explain the problem, solution, difference, advantages, application examples.
Claims: Clauses describing the scope of protection (main + dependent claims).
Preliminary search: Search similar documents in Google Patents, Espacenet.
Technical naming: Use simple and consistent terms.

5. Required Documents (example for Turkey)

Application form (can be submitted online via e-government).
Description, claims, abstract (≈ 100–250 words), drawings (if any).
Proof of payment of application fee.
If applying through an attorney, power of attorney (usually no notary needed, written statement is sufficient).
If claiming priority (international/exhibition), priority document.

6. Process Flow (Step by Step)

Application (online via TÜRKPATENT): File number and application date are assigned.
Formal examination: Check for missing documents/format. If missing, a deadline is given.
Search report: Examination of novelty and publication of the report.
Publication: Application is published in the bulletin; third parties may submit opinions/objections.
Amendments (if needed): Respond to citations in the search report / narrow claims.
Grant decision: If deemed suitable, the Utility Model Certificate is registered.
Annual fees: Pay yearly for years 1–10 (rights lapse if unpaid).

Typical timing: 6–18+ months (depending on file quality, amendments, and workload).

7. Rights and Obligations

Exclusive right: Can prohibit production, sale, or import without permission.
Licensing: Can grant licenses for a fee.
Use: Rights not actually used may be subject to compulsory licensing requests.
Annual fee: Must be paid on time (late payment requires surcharge + extension period).