Insights
Administrative Revocation of Trademarks is Now Fully in Effect!
In accordance with Article 26 of the Industrial Property Code (“IP Code”) no. 6769, interested persons may request the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (“the Office”) to revoke a trademark. The authority to revoke the trademarks had belonged to the IP Courts. However, with the entry into force of the IP Code on January 10, 2017, this authority has been granted to the Office. In order to provide a transition period, the entry into force of Article 26 had been postponed for… »
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… »
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… »
Children’s Data Security: Current Developments Worldwide and in Türkiye
In the digital ecosystem, children are no longer viewed solely as individuals in need of protection; they have also become one of the central user segments within data-driven business models. Social media platforms, gaming applications, and video-sharing websites systematically process children’s behavioral data, interaction patterns, and content consumption habits. This reality has led to a transformation in the legal approach to children’s data protection, shifting from a… »
News and Events
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…
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…
Our Lawyers Have Been Recognised as Mondaq Thought Leading Authors Autumn 2025
We are delighted our lawyers have been recognised as Mondaq Thought Leading Authors for the below categories at the Mondaq Autumn 2025 awards. Environmental Law - Eco-Friendly Or Eco-Fiction?Finance & Banking - Amendments to the Insurance Agencies RegulationFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences - Notification Obligation in Case of Supply Interruption of Medical DevicesIntellectual Property - The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Trademark EnforcementMedia, Telecoms…
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş and Yalçın Umut Talay Will Be Attending IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2025
We are pleased to announce our participation at the IAPP Europe Data Protection Congress 2025, which will be held in Brussels on 19-20 November 2025 and extend an invitation for a potential meeting during the event. Representing our TMT and Data Protection & Privacy practices, Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş, partner, and Yalçın Umut Talay, managing associate, will be attending the conference. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or simply reconnecting…
Mehmet Gün and Selin Sinem Erciyas Will Speak in the “Frontier Technologies, Innovation, and Intellectual Property” Conference in Ankara
We are pleased to announce that our Senior Partner Mehmet Gün and Partner Selin Sinem Erciyas will be speaking in the Conference on “Frontier Technologies, Innovation, and Intellectual Property,” held at the METU Culture and Convention Center in Ankara, Türkiye, on November 3–4, 2025. Mehmet Gün will moderate the session “The Future of Intellectual and Industrial Property: The Post-Patent World,” where Selin Sinem Erciyas will join as a speaker. This international gathering…
Beril Yayla Sapan Delivered a Training Session at TEİD Academy
Our Partner and TEID Board Member, Beril Yayla Sapan, delivered a training session titled “Mobbing, Labor Law Practices, and Ethics” as part of the 18th Term of TEID Academy’s “Corporate Ethics and Compliance Management” Program.
Direnç Bada, Atahan Erkul and Atacan Yılmaz Delivered a Training at the Customs General Directorate Event in Mersin
We had the privilege of participating in the Customs General Directorate event in Mersin, representing more than two dozen clients with the contributions of our Managing Associate Direnç Bada, Senior Associate Atahan Erkul, and Associate Atacan Yılmaz. Following the opening remarks by the Directorate, our Managing Associate Direnc Bada delivered the opening speech on behalf of all right holders, underlining the importance of intellectual property protection — not just for…
We Have Been Selected as the “Trademark Firm of the Year” in Turkey by Global IP Awards 2022
We are delighted to have been named the winner of the Trademark Firm of the Year for Turkey in the Global IP Awards 2022, that recognise the outstanding achievements of law and attorney firms in litigation, prosecution and transactional work during 2021/2022.
Baran Güney, Dilan Sıla Kayalıca and Zeynep Çağla Üstün, are Listed as Rising Star by Euromoney's MIP IP STARS 2025
We are delighted to announce that Baran Güney, Dilan Sıla Kayalıca and Zeynep Çağla Üstün, managing associates in our intellectual property practice, have been recognized as Rising Stars in this year’s IP STARS ranking by Managing IP. Managing IP’s Rising Stars list, recognizes some of the best up-and-coming intellectual property practitioners in private practice who have contributed to the success of their firms and clients.