Geographical Indication Registration in Türkiye

A geographical indication is a special form of industrial property that protects the qualities of a product identified with a specific geographical area. Names such as "Kayseri pastırması", "Erciyes cheese" or "Antep pistachio" are protected as geographical indications and may be used only by producers of that region.

§1 Two types of geographical indication

Designation of origin (PDO): The product's entire production process takes place in the region; its qualities are wholly tied to the locality. (E.g. Antep baklava — flour, pistachio and production are all in Gaziantep.)

Indication of source (PGI): A specific quality of the product is tied to the region, but not the entire process needs to occur there. (E.g. Kayseri sucuk — the traditional recipe developed in Kayseri, while raw materials may be sourced elsewhere.)

§2 Who may apply?

A single producer cannot apply; applications are filed by producer unions, associations or chambers of commerce/industry. A geographical indication is a collective right and cannot belong to one person.

§3 Process

1. Preparation file — product description, method of production, geographical boundaries, historical evidence (proof of traditional use)
2. Application — TÜRKPATENT EPATS system
3. Formal + substantive examination (~6 months)
4. Bulletin publication — 3-month opposition window
5. Registration — geographical-indication certificate issued

After registration: the "Registered Geographical Indication" emblem may be placed on the product; under producer-union supervision, only producers who follow the specification may sell under that product name.

§4 Anonymised case

A Kayseri producer union approached us for the geographical-indication registration of a traditional sweet. We compiled the recipe, the production method and 50+ years of historical documentation. The designation-of-origin registration was completed in 14 months. Today, under union supervision, 12 producers operate under the same emblem; counterfeits originating outside the region can be enforced against.

— Salih Aksebzeci, from a 2023–2024 file (anonymised)

§5 FAQ

Is a geographical indication different from a trademark? · How is a producer union formed? · How to obtain geographical-indication protection in the EU (Türkiye–EU agreement)? · Who supervises after registration? · What rights arise in case of GI infringement? · Where to obtain proof of traditional use?

Sources

1. SMK No. 6769 arts. 33-49 (geographical indications)
2. TÜRKPATENT Geographical Indications Portal

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Author: Salih Aksebzeci · TÜRKPATENT Agent Registry No. 188 · Last updated: 2026-05-14