Insights
Polo Player v Jockey: Analysing The Turkish Trademark Department’s Device Marks Decision
The Trademarks Department of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (the Trademarks Department) has recently highlighted, in a dispute where the similarity of device marks and the well-known status argument were primary issues, that the evidence submitted in response to a proof-of-use request proved to be critically important to the success prospects of the opposition file. Opposition grounds and device mark differences The device trademark application shown below… »
OneTrust DataGuidance - Employment
Beril Yayla Sapan and Begüm Yavuzdogan Okumuş have contributed to Data Guidance Turkey - Employment, which is published by OneTrust. OneTrus Data Guidance Turkey - Employment provides detailed information on employee privacy and data protection regulations in Turkey, covering key legislation, official guidelines, supervisory authorities, and case law. It outlines the absence of a specific employee privacy law in Turkey but emphasizes the importance of the Personal Data… »
New Legal Provision Addressing Counterfeit and Unauthorized Practices in the Medical Device Industry
The Law No. 7557 on the “Amendments to Certain Laws Related to Health and to the Decree Law No. 663”, which entered into force on 24 July 2025, introduced numerous changes that directly affect the healthcare sector. One of these changes is the Additional Article 20, which was added to the Basic Law on Health Services. This article aims to address critical areas such as the placement of counterfeit medical devices on the market, unauthorized sales and technical service… »
Turkish Court of Cassation Invalidates Motor Oil Trademark Application in Monster Energy Drink Dispute
In a recent decision of the Turkish Court of Cassation (Merit No. 2024/6138, Decision No. 2025/3800), the Court conducted a holistic comparison between a globally renowned energy drink brand and a motor oil brand, examining all aspects, from the similarity of the goods to the colors and figurative elements used in the disputed trademarks. Background The dispute involved, on the one side, the plaintiff’s well-known marks in the energy drinks sector – the word mark “MONSTER… »
From the Perspective of Data Protection and Cybersecurity: Increasing Need for Regulation in Artificial Intelligence
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the widespread use of generative artificial intelligence systems also bring the need to regulate artificial intelligence. The steps taken and the issues discussed in European Union member states within the scope of the European Union’s AI Act have also begun to clarify the legal framework applicable to those systems and applications. Despite the lack of any specific regulation applicable to AI in Türkiye… »
Surprise Boxes: Mystery or Risk for Consumers?
In recent years, the concept of “mystery boxes” or “surprise boxes” has become increasingly popular, taking a central place in the marketing strategies of many companies. While the element of surprise and intrigue offered by these products is highly appealing, it also raises various legal questions regarding whether the delivered items actually meet consumer expectations. The Advertisement Board (“Board”), at its meeting dated September 11, 2025, placed on its agenda mystery… »
Turkish Courts Invalidate Trademark for Similarity to Madran Mountain Spring Water
In Turkey, absolute grounds for refusal in trademark registration are regulated under Article 5 of the Industrial Property Code No 6769 (the IP Code). According to Article 5(1)(f) of the IP Code, signs that may mislead the public about matters such as the nature, quality or geographical origin of the goods or services are one of the absolute grounds for refusal, meaning that those signs shall not be registered as trademarks. Background In an opposition proceeding before the… »
Artificial Intelligence and Pharmaceutical Industry: The Transformation in the Technology and Patent System Shaping the Future
Artificial intelligence influences every aspect of our lives and creates revolutionary effects in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in many other sectors. From DeepMind's AlphaGo success to Tempus' personalized approaches to cancer treatment, AI-enabled innovations offer not only scientific achievements, but also wide-ranging advantages such as operational efficiency, cost reduction and risk reduction. However, this technological leap also raises critical questions about… »
Court of Cassation Renders Controversial Decision on Likelihood of Confusion in Dispute Over Pharma Marks
Background A Turkish company operating in the pharmaceutical sector, which owns the registered trademarks BATIKAR and BATISOL in Class 5, filed an infringement action against a pharmaceutical company selling antiseptic disinfectants under the trademark MIRADERM BATIMER. The plaintiff argued that the expression ‘batimer’ was similar to their BATIKAR and BATISOL trademarks, particularly due to the shared ‘bati’ element, and that there was a likelihood of confusion. Decisions In… »
Turkish Patent and Trademark Office’s 2024 Revisions:Updates to the Trademark Classification System
At the end of 2024, Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (“the Office”) made a significant move by publishing a revised communiqué on the classification of goods and services for trademark registration applications. The changes, which came into effect following their publication in the Official Gazette on 20 December 2024, align the Turkish classification system with the latest updates made to the Nice Classification. These revisions aim to make the trademark application… »
Update on the Well-known Trademark Registry Debate in Türkiye
The well-known trademark registry of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (“the Office”) became a discussion topic after the Turkish Court of Cassation decided in 2020 that the Office has no authority to create and maintain a registry for well-known trademarks (see (Turkey well-known trademark registry is again open for debate) First-instance intellectual property courts and regional courts of appeals adopted this decision immediately and changed their practice, while the… »
How Automotive Associations and Law Firms Can Combat Counterfeit Auto Parts Together
Auto Spare Parts and Distribution Ecosystem The automotive industry relies on highly technical products that do not reach end users directly. Instead, these products are distributed through dealers, service centres, mechanics, and authorised resellers, who play a critical role in ensuring that genuine products reach the end user. For instance, essential annual maintenance activities such as spare part replacement, oil refilling, and system updates are carried out by these… »
News and Events
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş, Spoke at the UN Global Compact Türkiye Webinar
Our partner Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş spoke as a panelist at the “Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence – Solutions and Good Practices” session of the webinar organized by UN Global Compact Türkiye. The panel focused on ethical decision-making processes in AI-based applications, the prevention of bias and discrimination, and mechanisms for transparency and accountability, and included the sharing of practical examples and case studies.
Gün + Partners Ranked in the 2025 Edition of Benchmark Litigation Europe
We are proud to be recognized among the leading law firms, and our founding partner Mehmet Gün and our partners Barış Kalaycı, Hande Hançar, Selin Sinem Erciyas, and Özge Atılgan Karakulak are recognized as Litigation Stars of 2025 in Turkey by Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation. Benchmark Litigation recognises the most distinguished law firms and lawyers for their dispute resolution work over the past 12 months.
Gün + Partners Ranked in the IAM Patent 1000 - The World's Leading Patent Professionals 2025
The 2025 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 2025. The IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals is a comprehensive guide to top private practice patent experts and expert witnesses worldwide, based…
Baran Güney Will Speak at the “Global Advertising Law Year in Review” Webinar by GALA
Baran Güney, managing associate in our TMT practice, will speak on key developments in advertising law, including regulatory enforcement priorities, privacy issues, artificial intelligence, influencer marketing, “dark patterns,” and food and beverage advertising at "Global Advertising Law Year in Review" webinar by GALA.
Mehmet Gün Listed in IAM Strategy 300 2026
We’re proud to share that Mehmet Gün has been recognized in the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2026. This prestigious list highlights individuals who are shaping the future of IP through innovative and high-impact portfolio strategies. The IAM Strategy 300 identifies global leaders who excel at developing and implementing approaches that unlock the full value of intellectual property.
We Attended the INTA 2025 Policy Dialogue Panel
“INTA 2025 Policy Dialogue: Intellectual Property Rights and the Protection of Public Health: From Counterfeit/Falsified Medicines to Data Exclusivity” panel was held on 24 November 2025, hosted by the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (AİFD). The opening remarks were delivered by Uğur Aktekin, our partner and a member of INTA’s Famous and Well-Known Marks Committee. The session “Combating…
Our 2025-2026 Legal Trainees Joined Us
We are pleased to announce that our 2025–2026 legal trainee associates have just commenced their traineeship following successful completion of their exams. We wholeheartedly congratulate and welcome them on board!
2025 Policy Dialogue: Safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights & Public Health
Explore the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and the pharmaceutical sector at the upcoming 2025 Policy Dialogue: Safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights & Public Health: From Falsified/Counterfeit Medicines to Data Exclusivity, taking place in Istanbul on November 24, 2025. This in-person event, hosted by INTA and the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (AIFD), brings together industry leaders, government officials, and legal experts for…
Uğur Aktekin Moderated the Panel on Well-Known Marks, and Pınar Arıkan Moderated the Panel on Nontraditional Marks at the INTA Policy Dialogue in Istanbul
The 2024 Policy Dialogue: Well-Known Marks and Nontraditional Trademarks in Türkiye, organized by the International Trademark Association (INTA), was successfully hosted at İstanbul Bilgi University. The event featured a series of insightful discussions focused on critical issues in trademark protection. The event started with the opening remarks of Tat Louembe and Gül Okutan Nilsson and followed by the keynote speech of Güler Ayyıldız Dalma. The first panel, titled…
Özge Atılgan Karakulak and Selin Sinem Erciyas will Speak at the Pharma Biotech Patent Litigation Europe Summit
Özge Atılgan Karakulak and Selin Sinem Erciyas, partners in our Life Sciences and Patents and Utility Models practices, will speak at the Pharma Biotech Patent Litigation Europe Summit in Amsterdam, which will take place on January 19–21, 2026. They will speak in the following sessions: Özge Atılgan Karakulak in “Competition Law Review from the Life Sciences Sector: A Review of Recent Court Decisions”, and Selin Sinem Erciyas in “Preliminary Injunction Review for the Life…
Dicle Doğan to Speak at ARTED’s “Anti-Corruption and Interactions with Healthcare Professionals” Training
Our Managing Associate Dicle Doğan, who spoke at the first session of the “Anti-Corruption and Interactions with Healthcare Professionals” training held on November 11, 2025, will once again take part as a speaker on December 2, 2025. The training will serve as an important platform for strengthening ethical standards and fostering transparent and trustworthy relationships across the sector. Participants will gain valuable insights into practical strategies and ethical…
Mehmet Gün, Özge Atılgan Karakulak and Selin Sinem Erciyas are Listed in IAM Global Leaders 2026
We are pleased to announce that our founding partner Mehmet Gün and partners Özge Atılgan Karakulak and Selin Sinem Erciyas, have been recognized as IAM Global Leaders for the year 2026. This prestigious distinction is reserved for individuals who attain the gold tier ranking in the IAM Patent 1000, an authoritative directory that identifies the foremost law firms and attorneys in key patent jurisdictions around the world. This recognition reflects our firm’s commitment to…