371 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW fee is paid. In multiple applications, each product upon which the design is used or applied, with the exception of decorations, must be in the same class. A multiple design application can contain up to 100 designs. Following the design application to the Office, the registration process of designs generally consists of five main processes, which are formal examination, novelty examination, publication, objection and certification. Protection Period and Renewal of Registered Designs The protection period of registered designs is five years from the date of application. This period can be renewed up to 25 years, in total, in five-year increments. Protection to Unregistered Designs Provided that it has been presented to the public for the first time in Turkey, unregistered design protection is also possible, and may be preferred by the designer. The protection period of unregistered designs is three years from the date the design is presented to the public in Turkey. Non-registered design is generally a protection method preferred by sectors, such as textiles, where the design life is short and the number of designs is high.4 In this way, direct protection is obtained without any application. Conclusion Within the scope of the IPC, new and distinctive features of the products are protected. Design right is an exclusive right and provides the owner the right to prevent unfair and unauthorized use of the design by third parties. It is possible for designs that meet the requirements in the design legislation to benefit from design protection for five years in a registered manner (25 years in total) and three years in an unregistered manner. 4 Design Review Guide, p. 6.
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