Insights
Judicial Review of the Board’s Decisions and Legal Remedies
Under the Law, the Board has the authority to impose administrative sanctions. It is stipulated that the Board may impose administrative fines for failure to comply with the duty to provide information, obligations relating to data security, failure to comply with decisions issued by the Board, breaches of registration and notification obligations under the Register of Data Controllers, or breaches of the notification obligation regarding standard contracts. In addition to… »
Data Breaches and Their Consequences
The Law requires data controllers to notify the Board and the relevant data subject as soon as possible upon becoming aware of a data breach. In its Decision No. 2019/19 dated 24 January 2019 (“the Decision”), the Board has clarified the rules to be applied and the procedures to be followed in the event of a data breach. The Board adopts the GDPR approach regarding the timing of breach notifications and has clarified that the phrase ‘as soon as possible’ in the Law should be… »
Data Protection in the Field of Artificial Intelligence
With the rapid spread of artificial intelligence and its integration into every aspect of life, it has become imperative to establish a legal framework governing the secure and ethical development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems, taking into account the complexity and specific characteristics of this technology. Aiming not only to promote the safe, transparent and human rights-respecting development of artificial intelligence technologies, but also to… »
Data Controllers’ Register (VERBİS)
Pursuant to Article 16 of the Law, there is an obligation to register with the Data Controllers’ Register (“VERBİS”) for data controllers established in Türkiye that exceed the specified thresholds, as well as for data controllers established abroad that process personal data in Türkiye as data controllers, without being subject to any threshold criteria. The procedures and principles governing the VERBİS system, which is maintained as a public register, are set out in the… »
Data Protection in Türkiye - General Approach, Current Practices and the Processing of Special Categories of Personal Data
The primary legislation governing the protection of personal data in Türkiye is the Personal Data Protection Act No. 6698 (the “Law”), which came into force in 2016. The Law, which was drafted on the basis of the European Council’s Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC, is influenced by the provisions of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (“GDPR”), whilst its implementation is influenced by both the GDPR and the decisions of European data protection… »
Updates in the Field of Personal Data Protection Law in Türkiye
The Personal Data Protection Authority (the “Authority”) has issued guidelines and publications principle decisions and public announcements, with the efforts to raise awareness and enhance effectiveness in the field of personal data protection for the effective implementation of the Personal Data Protection Act No. 6698 (the “Law”), and we have seen significant developments regarding the proper handling of intersections with areas such as competition, cyber security… »
Healthcare Regulation 2024 in Turkey
1. Organisation, financing and structure of the healthcare system Organisation How is healthcare in your jurisdiction organised? What is the role of government? The healthcare system is governed principally by the Fundamental Law on Healthcare Services No. 3359 and dated 15 May 1987, which furnishes the Ministry of Health (MoH) with the authority to issue healthcare-related regulations and establish a healthcare system enabling each and every person living in Turkey… »
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments 2026 in Türkiye
Legislation Treaties Is your country party to any bilateral or multilateral treaties for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments? What is the country’s approach to entering into these treaties, and what, if any, amendments or reservations has your country made to such treaties? Except for those on family law, Türkiye is not a signatory to multilateral treaties for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. However, Türkiye is a… »
Amendments to the Regulation on Commercial Advertisement and Unfair Commercial Practices
The Regulation Amending the Regulation on Commercial Advertisement and Unfair Commercial Practices was published in the Official Gazette dated July 1, 2026. This regulation introduces significant changes in many current areas, such as targeted advertisements, advertising created using artificial intelligence, advertisements by social media influencers, environmental claims, sales with discounts, and consumer reviews. Key amendments A new Article 25/A titled "Targeted… »
Protection of Digital Fonts under Copyright, Design Law and Unfair Competition Regulations
With the digitalisation of commerce, digital fonts are no longer just an element of design; they have become an integral part of brand identity and commercial communication. It is now possible for original digital fonts to enjoy protection under copyright and design law, as explained in our article, https://gun.av.tr/tr/goruslerimiz/guncel-yazilar/dijital-yazi-tiplerinin-telif-ve-tasarim-hukuku-bakimindan-korunmasi. In addition to copyright and design law, digital fonts may… »
Recent Developments in the Protection of Biometric Data
The use of biometric recognition systems has become widespread in recent years across a wide range of sectors, from workplaces to gyms, and from public institutions to digital services. Technologies such as fingerprint recognition, facial recognition and iris scanning are used for purposes such as identity verification, access control and time and attendance tracking. However, the fact that biometric data is unique to the individual, immutable and, in the event of a breach… »
Infringement of Second Medical Use Claims And Proof of Infringement
The patentability of second medical use claims is explicitly regulated under EPC 54(5) with the amendments made to the European Patent Convention (“EPC”) in 2000, which entered into force on 13 December 2007. In Türkiye, although there is no explicit provision on this issue in the Industrial Property Code no. 6769, the discussions regarding the patentability of these claims have ended with the decision of the General Assembly of the Court of Appeal dated October 21, 2021[1].… »
News and Events
Gün + Partners Top Ranked by IP STARS 2026
We are proud to announce that Gün + Partners has been ranked as a top-tier IP law firm by Managing IP’s IP STARS 2026! Our team is recognized as a top-tier practice for trademark disputes, trademark prosecution, and copyright & related rights. Mehmet Gün, Uğur Aktekin, Hande Hançar, and Zeynep Seda Alhas have been listed among the Trademark Stars by IP STARS 2026. A special congratulations to Hande Hançar for being recognized among the Top 250 Women in IP in the 2026…
Proud to Announce Our Recognition in Lexology Index 2025 - 2026
We are pleased to announce that 13 lawyers and attorneys from Gün + Partners have been recognized in Lexology Index 2025 - 2026 across key work areas including Healthcare & Life Sciences, Intellectual Property, Commercial Litigation, Telecoms, Media & Entertainment, M&A and Governance, Data Privacy & Protection, and Information Technology. The following Gün + Partners practitioners have been recognized: Mehmet Gün, Senior PartnerHealthcare & Life…
DPO Club Session 02 Was Hosted by Gün + Partners
We hosted DPO Club Session 02: Liability of E-Commerce Platforms Following the Constitutional Court Decision, organized by Data Privacy Türkiye, at Gün + Partners.…
Gün + Partners Participated in Customs Training on IP Rights Protection for the Automotive Sector
We were pleased to participate in the "Automotive Sector – Customs Training on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights", organized by the Customs General Directorate at the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM) Conference Hall in Istanbul on June 25, 2026.…
Gün + Partners Visits Istanbul Modern’s “Semiha Berksoy: The Aria of All Colors” Exhibition
Yesterday, we visited the “Semiha Berksoy: The Aria of All Colors” exhibition at Istanbul Modern. Semiha Berksoy was not only Türkiye’s first female opera singer, but also one of the powerful symbols of the Republic’s cultural transformation. Seeing opera, theatre, cinema, and painting not as separate disciplines but as parts of a single creative world, Berksoy played the leading role in Özsoy, the first Turkish opera staged in Türkiye, became one of the first Turkish…
We Have Been Recognized in the WTR Global Leaders 2026
We Have Been Recognized in the WTR Global Leaders 2026. We are proud to announce that Mehmet Gün, Güldeniz Doğan Alkan, Hande Hançar, Uğur Aktekin, Zeynep Seda Alhas and Pınar Arıkan have been recognized in the WTR Global Leaders 2026. WTR Global Leaders brings together the world’s foremost law firm and corporate trademark experts, allowing the wider community to benefit from their insight, experience, and perspectives.
Gün + Partners Ranked in the IAM Patent 1000 - The World's Leading Patent Professionals 2026
The 2026 edition of the IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals has been released. We are proud to announce that we have been recognised as the top tier firm and our 8 practitioners are recognized as the leading individuals in the IAM Patent 1000 - The World's Leading Patent Professionals 2026. The IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals is the definitive resource for identifying world-class, private practice patent expertise. The 2026…
Beril Yayla Sapan Featured as Speaker at TEİD Panel – From Silence to Justice: How Should Corporations Investigate Allegations?
We are pleased to share that our Partner and TEİD Board Member, Beril Yayla Sapan, shared her expertise and insights at the panel discussion titled "From Silence to Justice: How Should Corporations Investigate Allegations?". The event was organized by the Ethics and Reputation Society (TEİD) Internal Investigations Working Group on April 21st. Click here for details: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7455536332195549185
We are attending London International Disputes Week (LIDW) 2026
We are pleased to announce that our partners, Beril Yayla Sapan and Asena Aytuğ Keser, will be representing Gün + Partners at London International Disputes Week (LIDW) from June 1st to 5th. Our team is looking forward to connecting with colleagues from across the globe to discuss the evolving landscape of cross-border litigation and arbitration. If you are attending and would like to catch up or coordinate a meeting, please feel free to reach out to Beril or Asena.
We are Attending the 12th Annual IBA World Life Sciences Conference in Lisbon
We are pleased to announce our participation in the 12th Annual IBA World Life Sciences Conference, held in Lisbon from 3–5 June 2026. This year’s agenda addresses the life sciences industry's most pressing challenges, from AI data rights and global patent litigation to M&A strategies in uncertain markets. Our partner, Özge Atılgan Karakulak and managing associate Zeynep Çağla Üstün will be representing Gün + Partners. Özge Atılgan Karakulak, will serve as a conference…
40 Years + One Unforgettable Evening at Lincoln’s Inn
What a magnificent evening! We are still buzzing from the energy at our reception in the Great Hall of Lincoln’s Inn during INTA 2026. It was a true privilege to see this historic hall filled with such a vibrant international community of IP professionals. Hosting our guests within one of the four prestigious Inns of Court—an institution that has stood at the heart of the UK’s legal tradition and the training of barristers for centuries—provided a truly distinguished…
We Are the "Firm of the Year" by Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026
Gün + Partners was awarded the Türkiye Trademark Disputes Firm of the Year at the Managing IP European, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Awards 2026. The Managing IP Awards programme recognises remarkable intellectual property achievements and developments in the last year. The awards cover several IP practice areas and more than 50 jurisdictions.