Insights
Judicial Review of Board Decisions
The Law does not include an explicit provision concerning the process for appealing Board decisions that impose administrative fines. However, it is accepted that criminal courts of peace are the authorised courts under Law No. 5326 on Misdemeanours dated 30/3/2005 since the title of Article 18 of the Law is “Misdemeanours,” and administrative fines are issued as per Article 18 of the Law. With this in mind, decisions imposing behavioural sanctions can be appealed before… »
How Does Turkey's Judicial System Fare With Respect to Gender Diversity?
The increasing importance of gender equality and the inclusion of women is a significant indicator of development. One of the goals set out under the Strategic Plan of 2019-2023 issued by the Ministry of Justice is to increase the number of judges, public prosecutors and judicial personnel. The Strategic Plan provides that, as a strategy to achieve this goal, the principle of gender equality in the recruitment of judges, public prosecutors and other personnel will be taken… »
Guidelines on Cookies Applications
The Board prepared the Guidelines on Cookies Applications (“Guidelines”) explaining cookies and practical advice for data controllers who process personal data through cookies. The Guidelines was published on the official website of the DPA on June 20, 2022. Within the Guidelines, cookies in general and their types are regulated. Moreover, the types of cookies are categorised based on their timeframe, intended purpose and parties. The relationship between the Electronic… »
DELPHI v DEPLHI: PTO’s Decision Sheds Light on Interpretation of Bad Faith
Delphi Technologies opposed the registration of DEPLHI in Classes 1, 3 and 4 based on its earlier mark DELPHI The board found that the goods covered by the application were similar and related to the goods/services covered by the earlier mark, as they were all used in the auto spare parts sector ‘Delphi’ has no meaning in Turkish and it was unlikely that this word would have been chosen as a trademark as a coincidence In a recent decision, the Re-examination and Evaluation… »
Turkish DPA Fines Tiktok Try 1.75m For Inadequate Data Security Measures
The Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority (the “Turkish DPA”) published, on 1 March 2023, a summary of its Decision No. 2023/134 concerning the investigation into TikTok over its data protection measures and imposed a fine of TRY 1,750,000 (approximately EUR 87,500) against the company. The decision of the Turkish DPA is very significant especially for service providers also targeting Turkish residents and children in Turkey. Also the Turkish DPA is not the first… »
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… »
News and Events
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.
İSTA Turkey Arbitration Roadshow at Bursa
Mehmet Gün, our founding partner and İSTA President, and Pelin Baysal, co-chair of our dispute management practice, spoke on the importance and use of arbitration during İSTA Turkey Arbitration Roadshow in cooperation with Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in Bursa.
Hande Hançar and Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş spoke in TÜSİAD SD2 Program Meeting
Hukuki destek paydaşı olduğumuz TÜSİAD SD2 Programı kapsamında eşleşen Teknoloji Tedarikçileri ile Kullanıcılarının bilgilendirme toplantısı 2 Ekim'de ofisimizde gerçekleştirildi. Kurumsal Firmalar ile KOBİ’lerin İşbirliğinde Hukuki Planlama konulu son oturumda, ortak avukatımız Hande Hançar ve yönetici avukatımız Begüm Okumuş, sanayide dijital dönüşüm kapsamındaki işbirlikleri hakkında pratik bilgiler sunarak katılımcılarla tecrübelerini paylaştılar.
Gün + Partners have won Deloitte Turkey‘s Best Managed Companies Award
"Gün + Partners have won Deloitte Turkey‘s Best Managed Companies Award! We are the first and only law firm to receive this recognition in Turkey. A huge thank you and congratulations to the team! Our Partner Özge Atilgan Karakulak said: “We are honored to be named one of the Best Managed Companies in Turkey. We are happy to share this award with each member of our firm who works hard to provide excellent services to our clients.” Deloitte’s leading business awards program…
Gün + Partners 2020 internship applications continue!
Gün + Partners 2020 internship applications continue!You can submit your application for our 2020 formal or summer internship programs via our website.In 2019, 15 formal trainees joined us. Between June and September, 66 summer trainees completed their internship in our firm.
Great Place to Work® Top Employers 2020 List
We are proud to be on the list in the first year we joined. Thank you to all our team members.