In what is seen arsenic a procedural yet important development, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has requested further clarifications from Turkey regarding its prime of the term “TurkAegean” to beforehand section tourism, Kathimerini has learned.
The case, initiated successful 2023 pursuing an entreaty by Greece, underscores imaginable geopolitical motivations down Turkey’s trademark application. As is communal successful such cases, the process is expected to span respective years.
A cardinal facet of this improvement is the implicit designation of Greece’s close to prosecute ineligible enactment successful US national courts to analyse Turkey’s underlying motives for adopting the term “TurkAegean.” Greek representatives reason that the trademark signifies broader strategic objectives.
According to sources, US authorities person directed Turkey’s Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) to clarify the intent and reasoning down the term’s selection. The TGA has besides been instructed to submit supporting documentation to substantiate its position. Non-compliance could effect successful sanctions if the substance proceeds to trial.
The Greek broadside has successfully secured testimony from TGA representatives, with Berna Gedik, the manager of selling communications astatine the agency, confirmed to testify. However, a Greek petition for testimony from Turkish diplomats was denied by the USPTO connected jurisdictional grounds.
Turkey has allegedly been fixed a 20-day deadline to supply the requested clarifications.
Over the past two years, Greece has compiled a elaborate dossier to reason that the “TurkAegean” trademark reflects geopolitical ambitions.
Experts expect that the solution of this lawsuit whitethorn take an further 2–3 years.