Anlar Grup Editorial Team 3 min read News and Updates
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What does TÜRKPATENT's fraud warning say?
In its announcement dated September 16, 2026, the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office stated that it has received complaints that applicants and registration holders have been called by phone by unauthorized persons introducing themselves as trademark or patent attorneys, and that attempts have been made to deceive them with various scenarios. The announcement also notes that letters requesting fees and invoice-like notices giving the impression that they come from the Office have been sent. It was further reported that payment is requested under the name of "fee" or "registration charge" through fake websites that imitate the Office's name, logo, and the appearance of its electronic filing systems.
The Office's basic principles
- TÜRKPATENT never calls any applicant to request fees and does not provide information by phone; it communicates through official correspondence.
- Trademark and patent attorneys are not Office employees, and the Office does not refer files to any attorney.
- The Office's only official website is www.turkpatent.gov.tr. Websites with extensions such as .com or .org, other than this domain name, that give the impression of belonging to TÜRKPATENT should not be trusted.
Checklist: what should you do if you are suspicious?
- Stop before paying. Messages that stress urgency or say "if you don't pay today, you will lose your right" are a typical sign of fraud.
- Get confirmation from the Office. Call the Office Call Center (0312 303 1 303) and ask about the status of your file and whether the requested fee is genuine.
- Consult your attorney. If your file is being handled by a trademark or patent attorney, discuss the request with them first.
- Check the domain name. If you see a domain name other than turkpatent.gov.tr in the address bar, do not enter your e-Devlet information, card information, or personal data.
- Look up the attorney. You can check the registration of a person who introduces themselves as an attorney on TÜRKPATENT's "Attorney Search" page by city, attorney name, or firm name.
- Pay into the right account. The Office collects TL fees through corporate collection accounts and by credit and debit card; it does not accept EFT or wire transfers. No "fee" should be sent to an individual or an unknown account.
- Report it. For suspicious persons, notices, or websites, you can get information from the Call Center or send a report to bilgi@turkpatent.gov.tr. For attorneys you believe have acted in breach of professional rules, a complaint can be filed with the Disciplinary Board of Patent and Trademark Attorneys through EPATS.
Common scenarios
| Scenario | Why is it suspicious? |
|---|---|
| "We are calling from TÜRKPATENT, a fee is required for your registration certificate." | The Office does not call to ask for fees; it uses official correspondence. |
| A request for a "publication fee" or "register fee" in an invoice-like letter | Office fees are announced in the schedule and collected through corporate collection channels. |
| A "payment page" with a different domain name that uses the Office logo and the EPATS look | The only official site is turkpatent.gov.tr; card or e-Devlet information should not be entered on other domain names. |
| "We are referring your file to an attorney specially for you." | The Office does not refer files to any attorney; choosing an attorney is up to the applicant. |
How do you protect yourself when using a service?
When working with an organization on your trademark or patent application, clarify in writing before filing the fee items, the distinction between the official fee and the service fee, and who will act in what capacity before the Office during the process. You can check the current amounts of the official fees in our 2026 fee schedule guide. If you are in doubt, you can also consult us.
Sources
- TÜRKPATENT — Notice to the Public on Fraud! (September 16, 2026)
- TÜRKPATENT — Attorney Search
- TÜRKPATENT — Payment methods (Account Numbers page)
The information was compiled on November 14, 2026.
Anlar Grup Editorial Team
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For an assessment specific to your application, you can consult our experts for free.
