The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a de facto state with a distinctive geopolitical standing, presents a unique intellectual property landscape. One major point to highlight is that trademark registrations in Türkiye or the Republic of Cyprus have no legal effect there; separate TRNC registration is essential.
A key characteristic is that registration is currently limited to goods classes; service marks cannot be formally registered. While “passing off” actions offer some recourse for unregistered service marks, statutory protection is unavailable.
Due to its political status, TRNC is sometimes overlooked by IPR owners. However, with a population of over 380,000, which includes a significant proportion of young individuals, particularly due to its robust higher education sector, the country has a vibrant, evolving consumer base, making brand recognition and protection increasingly vital for businesses.
It is no secret that Türkiye ranks high on the countries with high level of infringement and recently we observed that the situation in TRNC, though smaller in scale, is not very different, underscoring the need for proactive strategies.
For businesses with interests in TRNC, securing a clear trademark position is prudent. If you would like further information or advice on the matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at trademarks@stock.com.tr.