Insights
Planned Amendments to the Law on the Protection of Personal Data
Processing Sensitive Personal Data Amendments to the law have been drafted by the Board and introduce some modifications to specific disputed provisions of the Law. These have been presented to relevant institutions and organisations for their consideration. The articles to be amended are Article 6, regulating the legal grounds for processing sensitive personal data and Article 9, regulating the transfer of personal data abroad. Under Article 6 of the Law, explicit consent… »
Evaluation of the Decision to Block Access to Ekşi Sözlük within the Scope of Freedom of Expression
Most recently, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority ("ICTA") blocked access to Ekşi Sözlük, one of today's largest internet communities. Although the access ban was canceled by the decision of the Ankara 4th Criminal Court of Peace, as a result of the objection to the decision, the Ankara 5th Criminal Court of Peace accepted the objection and finalized the decision to impose an access ban. With the finalization of the decision to block access to Ekşi… »
The Advertisement Board’s Expanded Power: Blocking Access
The sanctions that the Advertisement Board has traditionally applied are the levying of administrative fines, correction decisions and precautionary or temporary suspension decisions against advertisements which violate the legal rules for advertisements broadcasted in any media including those found on the internet. In addition to these, the Advertisement Board has now been authorized to block access to online broadcasts or contents which are found to violate advertising… »
Regulations on Consumer Reviews and Complaints
Specific rules for consumer reviews and publishing consumer complaints were introduced into Turkish law by amendments to the Advertising Regulation effective as of March 2022. The amendments establish fundamental principles regarding consumer reviews. Some of them are as follows: Consumer reviews may be published by only those who have purchased the relevant product or service. Consumers should be informed of the principles for publishing consumer reviews either directly on… »
Advertisements Containing Price Information and Discount Sales Advertisements
The Advertising Regulation was amended in a way to include new measures and rules to regulate advertisements containing misleading price information and to protect consumers against unfair commercial practices. The amendments entered into force in March 2022. In addition, the Advertisement Board prepared the Guideline on Advertisements Containing Price Information, Discount Sales Advertisements and Commercial Practices” (“Guideline”) that took effect in April 2022. Together… »
Gender Equality in Turkish Workplaces
Introduction Gender equality and the inclusion of women in the labour market are considered essential tools for nations to reach their full potential and ensure sustainable development, growth and a prosperous life. However, the full implementation of this goal constitutes a challenge for many states, regardless of their level of development. The Global Gender Gap Report of 2022, published by the World Economic Forum, suggests that it will take another 132 years for the… »
Advertisements Containing Environmental Claims
Until recently, there was no regulation specifically applicable for advertisements containing environmental claims. In the absence of specific regulation, the Advertisement Board has previously conducted its evaluations of such advertisements pursuant to the provisions included in the Advertising Regulation stating that advertisements must not abuse consumers’ environmental sensitivity or lack of knowledge in this field. For example, the Board determined in a decision… »
Conformity of Comparative Advertisements to the Advertising Law
Direct comparative advertising is considered unlawful under the Advertising Regulation as it is prohibited thereunder to mention the product name, trademark, logo, trade name, business name or other distinctive features of competitors in advertisements. Only indirect comparative advertisement not containing the trademark and distinctive features of competitors is allowed. The Advertisement Board rendered a decision in August 2022, which was particularly relevant to the scope… »
Social Responsibility Awareness and Social Values in Advertisements
The Advertisement Board rendered a guiding decision in September 2022 with respect to the advertisements published by an international fashion company operating in Turkey in which some food products like bread and doughnuts covered with colourful toppings were placed together with some attractive shoes and sandals also offered for sale. The Board evaluated that the advertisements violated the principle requiring that advertisements must follow the principles of fair… »
Advertisements Required to Include +18 Markings
The Advertisement Board rendered a highly controversial decision in July 2022 concluding that the promotions published by a fashion company on the main page of its website under the title of “My Chosen Family” including the following statements “My Chosen Family: A chosen family consists of members who chose to support and love each other. It celebrates who you are no matter whom you love. Meet the LGBTQIA+ family who chose each other” are against the Constitution and… »
TV Scenes Contrary to Social Gender Equality
Broadcast media is regulated and supervised by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (“RTUK”), an autonomous and impartial public legal entity. The RTUK regulates and supervises the radio, television and on-demand media services, and examines broadcasts, as well as advertisements, in light of the provisions of Broadcasting Law No. 6112. The RTUK recently rendered an important decision against the abuse of women and gender inequality. The RTUK ‘s decision concerned TV… »
Implementation of the Guideline on Social Media Influencers
In Turkey social media advertising is mainly regulated under Consumer Protection Law and the Advertising Regulation. In 2021, the Advertisement Board drafted the Guideline on Commercial Advertisement and Unfair Commercial Practices Conducted by Social Media Influencers” (“Guideline”). It was prepared based on the Consumer Protection Law to serve as a basis for examinations of commercial advertisements and unfair commercial practices run by Social Media Influencers. The Board… »
News and Events
"Trademarks and Designs Copyrights Anti-Counterfeiting IP Prosecution"
We are delighted to have been selected as the “Trademark Firm of the Year” in Turkey by Global IP Awards of IAM/WTR, which recognise law and attorney firm excellence in the field of litigation, prosecution and transactional trademark work during 2019.
Talat Yörük was guest in Ellie in de Handel TV program
"Turkey is the third biggest provenance economy of counterfeit goods entering the EU after Hong Kong and China according to the research of EUIPO. Talat Yörük, senior associate in our anti-counterfeiting practice, shared his opinions at the “Ellie in de Handel” TV program on the Netherlands TV channel NPO 3. @Ellie Lust "
Selin Sinem Erciyas is the exclusive winner of Client Choice - intellectual Property – Patents category for Turkey
Congratulations to Selin Sinem Erciyas, partner in our patents and utility models practice, for being the exclusive winner of the Intellectual Property – Patents category for Turkey by Client Choice which recognizes those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service.
Our New Lawyers
Selin Bilik, Ayşenur Çıtak and Ahmet Niyazi Ülkü completed their formal internship at our firm and obtained their lawyer licenses.
Our Firm and 5 Lawyers Are Shortlisted for Euromoney Legal Media Group's European Life Sciences Awards 2020
We are honored that our firm and 5 lawyers are shortlisted in 7 categories of Euromoney Legal Media Group's European Life Sciences Awards 2020 from Turkey. The awards highlight the firms, individuals and companies behind the most innovative and challenging Life Sciences legal work of the past year, as well as those driving the international market.
MIP EMEA Awards 2020
We are honored to have been selected as the "Firm of the Year" in "Trade Mark" and "Copyright & Design" categories in Turkey by Managing Intellectual Property EMEA Awards 2020 which are presented to firms, individuals and companies behind the most innovative and challenging IP work of the past year, as well as those driving the international IP market.
Model Court of Justice 2020
Mutlu Yıldırım Köse, partner in our intellectual property practice, spoke about fair use in copyright as a keynote speaker at the Model Court of Justice 2020 in Ankara.
Mutlu Yıldırım Köse Shared Her Experiences at the MARQUES Month - September 2020 Virtual Event
Mutlu Yıldırım Köse, partner in our intellectual property practice, co-chaired the "Technical functionality: in relation to the protection of trademarks, designs and copyright in various jurisdictions" workshop session of MARQUES Month - September 2020 virtual event.
Mehmet Gün spoke in TÜRKONFED Structural Reforms Summit
"Kurucu ortağımız ve Daha İyi Yargı Derneği Başkanı Av. Mehmet Gün, Daha İyi Yargı Derneği ve TÜRKONFED - Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation iş birliğinde Ankara'da düzenlenen ""Yapısal Reformlar Zirvesi""nde yazarı olduğu politika raporunu sundu. https://lnkd.in/gxB7Tss"
Mehmet Gün recognized as the lawyer of the year in Turkey by Euromoney
Mehmet Gün, our founding partner, recognized as the lawyer of the year in Turkey by Euromoney's Benchmark Litigation Europe Award 2020. Benchmark Litigation recognises the most distinguished law firms and lawyers for their dispute resolution work over the past 12 months.
Legal500 EMEA 2020 Results
We are proud to have the “Top Tier” rankings in 5 out of 9 practice areas we are ranked by The Legal 500 and delighted that our 6 lawyers are listed as "Leading Individual", 4 lawyers as "Rising Stars" and 1 lawyer as “Next Generation Partners” in their practice areas.
Legal Career Days by AHBV
Güldeniz Doğan Alkan spoked about our firm, being a lawyer and intellectual property with the students at the event.