Insights
Intellectual Property Practice in Türkiye: Impressions for 2025
The year 2025 did not mark a fundamental transformation in the protection of intellectual property rights in Türkiye; however, it may be described as a period during which practice became more predictable in certain areas. It would be fair to say that judges appointed in recent years have gradually become more adapted to the dynamics of intellectual property law, and this has contributed to a more predictable approach in terms of the reasoning of decisions and the management… »
Artificial Intelligence and Trademark Law
The impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies on trademark law has been among the frequently debated topics over the past year. As also discussed in our article published last year, while these technologies accelerate processes in terms of trademark registration procedures, they simultaneously necessitate a re-assessment of the human-centered criteria traditionally applied in trademark law. Indeed, Intellectual Property (“IP”) offices worldwide continue to… »
Turkish Court of Cassation’s Stance on Short-Word Trademarks: Analysis
According to the Trademark Examination Guideline of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, which is aligned with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) guidelines, the comparison of trademarks should be based on the overall impression created by the marks. In this assessment, the length of a trademark can be an important factor. In general, the shorter a sign is, the easier it is for the public to perceive each of its elements. Conversely, in longer signs… »
Energy Drink vs. Motor Oil: The Court of Cassation’s Holistic Analysis
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… »
Is Settlement With the Administration Possible?
As is known, pursuant to Article 2/1(a) of the Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577, it is possible for persons whose interests have been violated to file an action for annulment against administrative acts on the grounds that such acts are unlawful in terms of authority, form, cause, subject matter, or purpose. In such a relevant case the claimant alleges that the administrative act established by the defendant administration is contrary to the law and seeks its annulment.… »
3D Marks at the Intersection of Intellectual Property and Competition Law
With its decision dated 01.08.2024 and numbered 24-32/758-319, the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) rendered a landmark ruling that will be debated in the literature for a long time to come with regard to the delicate balance between IP law and competition law. The TCA concluded that the relevant economic entity, by using three-dimensional (“3D”) marks owned by company under investigation (“The Right Owner”) had abused its dominant position, by excluding its competitors… »
Remarkable Turkish Appeal Decision: Cilpara v Chip-Para
Mutlu Yıldırım Köse and İrem Girenes Yücesoy of Gün + Partners analyse the different approaches to similarity assessments conducted by the court of first instance in the proceedings and the appeal One of the decisions recently rendered in a Turkish appeal is particularly noteworthy for its assessment of the likelihood of confusion and the unexpected outcome in its final part. in Turkey (officially Türkiye), and the mark relied upon as the basis of the action is… »
From Goal Celebrations to Global Brands: Intellectual Property at the Intersection of Sports and Popular Culture
This year’s World Intellectual Property Day theme, “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!”, highlights how intellectual property rights shape not only technological innovation in sports, but also branding/fan engagement, and the growing economic value of athletes as creators and entrepreneurs. Within this evolving ecosystem, the intersection between sports and popular culture raises important legal questions regarding the protection and use of creative elements. One of the… »
New Restrictions on Child-Oriented Design in Food Products
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry updated the Guideline on the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labelling and Consumer Information on 13 March 2026. The update introduces new explanations regarding labelling, presentation and advertising practices, while adopting a notably protective approach, particularly with respect to products aimed at children. With the introduction of Article 2.28 into the Guideline, it has been prohibited to place foods on the market with… »
An Analysis of the Film ‘Side by Side’ in the Context of Adaptations and Copyright Law
The theatrical release last November of the film Yan Yana (hereinafter “Side by Side”), officially titled The Anatomy of an Abstract Expressionist Friendship, or Side by Side, directed by Mert Baykal and co-written by Aziz Kedi, Feyyaz Yiğit, and Mert Baykal, has led to a resurgence of debates regarding the relationship between adapted works and copyright law in Türkiye. Although the film clearly states in its opening that it is an adaptation of the 2011 film Intouchables… »
A New Era in Pharmaceutical Pricing: Reforming Market Incentives
Presidential Decision No. 11031 dated 12 March 2026 (“New Pricing Decision”) introduces major changes to the pricing system for human medicinal products, originally established by Decision No. 2017/9901 and updated multiple times. Its main elements are an increase in the Euro/TRY adjustment rate from 60% to 65%, higher pricing incentives for first equivalent or generic products, and the introduction of the term "value-based pricing" in Turkish legislation for the first… »
Guideline on the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labelling and Consumer Information Updated
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has introduced significant updates to the Guideline on the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Labelling and Consumer Information. The update provides further clarification on labelling, presentation, and advertising practices, while adopting a notably protective approach, particularly in relation to products targeting children. Key Amendment (Restrictions on Presentation Directed at Children) With the introduction of Article 2.28… »
News and Events
We Delivered an IP Training at the Customs General Directorate Event in Bursa
We had the privilege of participating in the General Directorate of Customs’ IP training event held in Bursa on February 04, 2026, representing more than two dozen clients, with the contributions of our Partner Zeynep Seda Alhas, Senior Associates Atahan Erkul and Kendal Basut, and Associate Atacan Yılmaz. During the training, we presented genuine and counterfeit products, engaging directly with officials to demonstrate practical differences and discuss how effective…
Gün + Partners Top Ranked by WTR 1000 2026
We have been ranked as a top-tier firm in both the “Litigation” and “Prosecution” categories in the World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2026. Additionally, 13 of our practitioners have been recognized as recommended individuals. The WTR 1000 identifies the top trademark practitioners and firms worldwide, serving as the definitive ‘go-to’ guide for those seeking legal trademark expertise. WTR states: Gün + Partners is one of the…
Dicle Doğan Has Been Named a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer
Dicle Doğan has been recognised by Thomson Reuters as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer, an independent recognition reflecting client feedback. Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers recognizes top legal professionals based on rigorous criteria, including nominations by senior in-house counsel and analysis of legal market performance.
Özge Atılgan Karakulak and Selin Sinem Erciyas Spoke at the Pharma Biotech Patent Litigation Europe Summit
Our partners Özge Atılgan Karakulak and Selin Sinem Erciyas represented the firm at the Pharma Biotech Patent Litigation Europe Summit, held in Amsterdam on 19–21 January 2026. At the summit, Özge Atılgan Karakulak spoke in the session “Competition Law Review from the Life Sciences Sector: A Review of Recent Court Decisions,” while Selin Sinem Erciyas contributed to “Preliminary Injunction Review for the Life Sciences Sector.” The summit brought together leading…
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…
We are Attending the 14th IBA European Corporate and Private M&A Conference in Paris
We are pleased to announce our participation at the 14th IBA European Corporate and Private M&A Conference, which will be held in Paris on 5 - 6 Feb 2026 and extend an invitation for a potential meeting during the event. Our partners Görkem Bilgin and Yalçın Umut Talay will be representing Gün + Partners at the conference. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or simply reconnecting, please feel free to get in touch with them. We eagerly…
We are Attending the 27th Annual IBA Arbitration Day in Abu Dhabi
We are pleased to announce our participation at the 27th Annual IBA Arbitration Day, which will be held in Abu Dhabi on 28-29 Jan 2026 and extend an invitation for a potential meeting during the event. Asena Aytuğ Keser, partner, will be representing Gün + Partners at the conference. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or simply reconnecting, please feel free to get in touch with her. We eagerly anticipate the prospect of meeting you face-to-face…
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş Spoke at the TÜSİAD SD2 / STEP Panel
Our partner Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş spoke at the TÜSİAD SD2 / STEP Panel titled “The Coordination, Investment and Legal Dimensions of Transformation”, organised by TÜSİAD SD2 on 9 January. Within the scope of the event, the strategic approach to digital transformation in industry, technological priorities and cross-sectoral application areas were discussed. Digital transformation investments, artificial intelligence and data-driven solutions, supplier–company collaborations…
Hande Hançar to Be a Trainer at the IP Commercialization Training Program
We will host the "IP Commercialization Training Program" organized in collaboration with AIPPI Türkiye and LES Turkey As part of the program, our partner Hande Hançar will provide training on the strategic management, commercialization, and economic value creation processes of intellectual property. Within the scope of the training program, the strategic management, commercialization, and technology transfer processes of intellectual property will be addressed from a…
Baran Güney Spoke at the “Global Advertising Law Year in Review” Webinar by GALA
Baran Güney, managing associate in our TMT practice, spoke on key developments in advertising law, including regulatory enforcement priorities, privacy issues, artificial intelligence, influencer marketing, “dark patterns,” and food and beverage advertising, at the “Global Advertising Law Year in Review” webinar by GALA.
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.