Employee Inventions
The technical solutions, products, and methods developed by employees are among the most valuable assets of businesses in terms of intellectual property rights. Proper protection of such inventions and innovations is of critical importance both for safeguarding employee rights and enhancing a company’s competitive advantage. An effective protection strategy for employee innovations is essential for ensuring legal compliance and fostering a culture of innovation.
An employee invention refers to technical innovations created by an employee within the scope of their employment relationship. In Türkiye, employee inventions are specifically addressed under Law No. 6769 on Industrial Property Law.
In this context, the following issues are regulated in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulations:
- The registration and notification procedures for employee inventions,
- The concept of service inventions and free inventions,
- Claims of ownership rights,
- Filing obligations,
- The employee’s right to claim compensation and calculation of such compensation.
Effectively managing the processes related to employee inventions, clearly defining the rights and obligations in this area, and drafting the relevant agreements in compliance with the relevant law, are of great importance for businesses. This approach contributes to the enhancement of intellectual property assets and enables the encouragement and rewarding of employees.
Employee inventions are intellectual property elements that combine technical knowledge and creativity, providing high added value for companies. However, processes in this area can be complex from both legal and technical perspectives. Therefore, obtaining professional consultancy services is a critical step for businesses.
Utilizing consultancy services regarding employee inventions offers significant advantages for companies, including:
- Ensuring Legal Compliance: Managing processes in full compliance with the law and relevant regulations,
- Preventing Loss of Rights: Executing notification, application, and ownership claim procedures without deficiencies,
- Compensation Calculations: Accurately and transparently determining the compensation to be paid to employees,
- Contractual Security: Preparing employment-related agreements in accordance with legal standards,
- Corporate Intellectual Property Strategy: Integrating and protecting inventions as part of the company’s assets,
- Training and Awareness: Raising awareness among R&D, HR, and management teams.
SIMAJ is able to provide consultancy services to its clients regarding the legal and administrative processes that may arise in this field.
End-To-End Services
Our patent and trademark attorneys, each highly qualified in their respective fields, will guide you through every stage of the process, from application to registration, ensuring you take the most appropriate steps.
As a Turkish and European Patent Attorney and mechanical engineer, I am founding partner of SIMAJ, I have the privilege of advising clients on a board of spectrum of patent related matters, including prosecuting patent applications, conducting freedom-to-operate and patentability analysis, and providing strategic portfolio development advice, for over 30 years. My focus on developing new methods of providing our services to clients means I like to think outside the box: I like to think about how we can build better relationships with our clients and help them in ways traditional lawyers don’t.
As the General Manager and Patent Department Manager at SIMAJ, I bring both administrative oversight and deep technical insight to our Patent and Design departments. My role involves not only managing and coordinating the strategic direction of these departments but also ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality legal and technical services across all aspects of IP protection, drawing on over 25 years of experience. My experience as the Head of Patent Department at the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office has given me a strong understanding of institutional procedures and regulatory frameworks, which I now integrate into our client-focused practice. Moreover, I am able to reflect this experience into my work in freedom to operate analyses, patent prosecution, drafting and filing, licensing, claim charts and analysis, novelty, infringement and invalidation searches. This comprehensive approach enables us to provide our clients with holistic and forward-looking intellectual property solutions aligned with their business objectives.
As a Turkish Trademark Attorney and Partner at SIMAJ since 1997, my practice spans the full spectrum of intellectual property protection, including trademark prosecution and enforcement, design registration, and contract advisory work related to the commercialization of IP rights. I regularly assist clients with developing and managing their global trademark and design portfolios, advising on filing strategies, as well as drafting and negotiating licensing, co-existence, and assignment agreements.
As a Turkish Trademark Attorney and Partner at SIMAJ, I advise clients across the full spectrum of IP rights since 1997, with a particular focus on trademark protection, enforcement, and portfolio strategy. My practice extends to domain name dispute resolution and negotiating and drafting complex licensing agreements. This comprehensive approach allows us to offer clients holistic and forward-thinking IP solutions that align with their commercial goals.
Mert is experienced in assisting multi-national clients in IP portfolio management. He is experienced in both patent and trademark rights.
Büsra is a chemical engineer working as a part of the patent team in SIMAJ. She is responsible for patent prosecution, drafting, and novelty research as well as patent infringement.
Kutluhan is a chemical engineer who is a part of our patent team in SIMAJ. He particularly focuses on drafting, process management, and novelty research.
Kardelen is a physics engineer and is part of our patent team. She particularly focuses on drafting, process management, and novelty research.
