Evaluating the mid-year data released by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office regarding trademark, patent, utility model, design, and geographical indication registrations, Destek Patent Chairman Kemal Yamankaradeniz said, “Despite the ongoing effects of the pandemic, we are distinguishing ourselves from many other countries with the increase in domestic applications and registrations. Education is key to maintaining this positive differentiation. According to figures from the first six months, 14 of the top 50 institutions filing patent applications are universities. We must increase this number and invest in universities to generate more trademarks, patents, and utility models.”
A total of 126,783 domestic industrial property applications were filed with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TURKPATENT) in the first half of 2022. According to first-half data announced by Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, domestic patent applications increased by 3 percent between January and June compared to the same period last year. There was a 34 percent increase in domestic utility model applications and a 28 percent increase in domestic design applications.
Data also shows a significant increase in geographical indication applications, with applications for geographical indications increasing by 120 percent in the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period last year. During this period, 163 geographical indications were registered. Support Patent Chairman Kemal Yamankaradeniz described these figures as "a positive differentiation that also enhances our country's global competitiveness."
Yamankaradeniz: “Universities should be supported to ensure the continuity of positive differentiation.”
Investments in intellectual and industrial property rights, one of the most important indicators of a country's economic strength, undoubtedly enhance our global competitiveness. Even as the COVID pandemic continued in 2021, we managed to positively differentiate ourselves from many other countries with the increase in domestic applications and registrations. However, what's crucial is that this increase is sustainable. To achieve this, academia-industry collaborations must be increased. Studies conducted at universities and technoparks with financial support from TÜBİTAK should translate into more patent and utility model applications, and companies at universities and R&D centers should conduct research with diverse products tailored to their industry's needs.
“333 patent and utility model applications from 14 universities”
Looking at TURKPATENT's statistics for the first six months of 2022, 14 universities ranked among the top 50 institutions filing the most patent applications. These universities filed 333 patent and utility model applications. Among the universities filing the most patent applications, Yıldız Technical University and Istanbul Gelişim University tied for first place with 17 applications each. Erciyes University came in second with 13 applications, and Istanbul Technical University, Üsküdar University, and Ege University came in third with 12 applications each.
"Our focus and priority should be education," said Kemal Yamankaradeniz, adding, "It's a very simple equation. To participate in the global race, especially in rapidly developing technologies, we must apply for more brands, patents, and utility models, and we must pave the way for this. For this reason, patent courses must be introduced into university engineering faculties. Furthermore, it is vital to closely monitor the activities of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) established at universities in our country and to conduct studies, especially in the field of high technology. We have invaluable scientists at our universities; with this resource, we must accelerate the development of high-technology patents to produce the next generation of high-value-added products. Our country must expand its competitive edge both in terms of raw materials and technology. Focusing our technoparks on this area will facilitate the production of products that can enter the market quickly. Collaboration between universities and manufacturers should be made mandatory. With this in mind, we launched the "Own Your Idea" project. Our goal is to raise awareness at an early age and to ensure that there are more "inventions, inventions, and utility models" in our country. Within the scope of the project, many “We collaborate with brands, R&D centers, schools, universities, academics and NGOs.”
