Insights
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… »
Patents, Trade Marks, Copyright and Designs 2022 in Turkey
Provide a brief definition of a patent, the key legal requirements to obtain it and the law that applies. A patent is an industrial property right that gives the patent owner the right to prevent third parties from certain activities such as producing, using, selling, or importing the product or process that is the subject of the invention for a 20-year period. The applicant must prove the following to obtain a patent: Novelty. Inventive step. Industrial… »
Cross-border IP Right Licences 2021 in Turkey
Key aspects of intellectual property licensing Degree of exclusivity Describe what is understood by each of the below terms in your jurisdiction. Exclusive licence Under the Industrial Property Code No. 6769 (IP Code), an exclusive licence is a type of licence under which the licensor cannot issue a licence to any person other than the exclusive licensee and cannot use the licensed intellectual property (IP) rights unless they explicitly reserve this right. Non-exclusive… »
Cross-border IP Right Assignments 2021 in Turkey
Key aspects of intellectual property right assignments Definition of IP Rights Does the definition of "Intellectual Property Rights" in Standard document, Assignment of intellectual property rights: Cross-border: clause 1.1 include any rights that are not recognised in your jurisdiction? If yes, what are those rights? Standard document, Assignment of intellectual property rights: Cross-border: clause 1.1 does not include any rights that are not recognised in Turkey… »
New Ways of Working in Turkey
Has the government introduced any laws and/or issued guidelines around remote-working arrangements? If so, what categories of worker do the laws and/or guidelines apply to – do they extend to “gig” workers and other independent contractors? Article 14 of the Turkish Labour Act (TLA) defines remote working as a contractual employment relationship in which employees carry out their duties from home or other locations outside the workplace, sometimes through digital platforms.… »
Product Liability and Safety 2022 in Turkey
Sources of Law What are the main areas of law and regulation relating to product liability? The Product Safety and Technical Regulations Law 7223 (Law 7223) is the main law regarding product safety. Replacing Law 4703 on the Preparation and the Application of the Technical Regulations Related to Products, Law 7223 places some new obligations on actors who supply products to the market. It also ensures that the national legislation is in line with the European Union's 2019… »
World Intellectual Property Rights and Remedies 2021, Turkey Chapter
World Intellectual Property Rights and Remedies features analysis and commentary by leading practitioners on key intellectual property legislation from jurisdictions throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia, as well as English translations of key intellectual property legislation from non-English-speaking jurisdictions. Each chapter clearly describes the nuances of local practice regarding how to register and protect copyrights, patents, trade, and service marks. Find… »
Sweepstakes & Contests: A Global Legal Perspective Second Edition - Turkey Chapter
The Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (“GALA”) releases the second edition of “Sweepstakes & Contests: A Global Legal Perspective” book on OCT 2021. The book consist of a global legal compendium of the laws related to sweepstakes & contests in 70+ countries around the globe. Turkey chapter of the book was prepared by Hande Hançar and Baran… »
News and Events
Great Place to Work® Certification
We are proud to announce that Gün + Partners has been awarded with Great Place to Work® Certification! Thank you to all our team members who contributed to this great achievement!
Güldeniz Doğan Alkan spoke at the "Opening Ceremony of Master of Laws (Ll.M.) in Intellectual Property Program" at Ankara University
Güldeniz Doğan Alkan, partner in our intellectual property practice, spoke at the "Opening Ceremony of Master of Laws (Ll.M.) in Intellectual Property Program" at Ankara University with the support of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and TÜRKPATENT. As one of the board member of Patent and Trademark Attorneys’ Association (PEM), she introduced PEM to the students and shared the stage with Uğur Yalçıner, Irmak Yalçıner, Melis Abacıoğlu Viskuşenko, Ayşe Gül…
The Istanbul University Law Faculty Event
Güldeniz Doğan Alkan, partner in our IP practice, shared her views on becoming a lawyer and Turkish IP law with a focus on Trademark law at the event hosted by the Dispute Resolution Club of the Istanbul University Law Faculty.
Formal internship period started
"2019-2020 döneminde büromuzda staj yapacak stajyer avukatlarımız, dört günlük oryantasyon ve eğitim programlarını tamamlayarak stajlarına başladılar. Türkiye’nin farklı bölgelerinden ve farklı okullardan aramıza katılan arkadaşlarımız, eğitim boyunca birbirlerini tanıma ve kaynaşma imkanı buldular. Stajyerlerimizin staj dönemlerinin verimli, başarılı ve keyifli geçmesini diliyor, Gün + Partners ailesine hoş geldiniz diyoruz! "
Fourth Annual Session of Themis Court Simulations by Kadir Has University
Uğur Aktekin, partner in our intellectual property practice, shared his experience on becoming a lawyer, at the opening speech he made for the “Fourth Annual Session of Themis Court Simulations” hosted by Kadir Has University in Istanbul on Feb 14.
Canan Tınaz Moderated a Discussion During INTA Leadership Meeting
Canan Tınaz, senior attorney in our IP prosecution practice, moderated a Table Topic discussion during INTA Leadership Meeting entitled: “Managing International Portfolios of Clients: How to Establish an Understanding Relationship with Foreign Attorneys” on Wednesday, Nov 18 at 11:00 am EST. https://www.inta.org/events/2020-annual-meeting-leadership-meeting/
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş Spoke at Istanbul University "Data Protection Week"
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş spoke on "Attitude of the Turkish Data Protection Authority and Important Decisions" at "Data Protection Week" organized by Istanbul University Faculty of Law - IT Law club.
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş Is Listed in Data 2021 Research by Who’s Who Legal
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş, managing associate in our data protection and privacy practice, is listed in Data 2021 Research by Who’s Who Legal which recognises individual practitioners who received the highest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources. https://whoswholegal.com/begum-yavuzdogan
Barış Kalaycı Moderated a Discussion During INTA Leadership Meeting
Barış Kalaycı, chair of our anti-counterfeiting practice, moderated a Table Topic discussion during INTA Leadership Meeting entitled: “How to Support Anticounterfeiting Activities with Anti-Money Laundering Provisions? A Possible Solution to Fake Sales on the Internet and Small Parcel Shipments” on Monday, Nov 9. https://www.inta.org/wp-content/uploads/public-files/events/2020AMLM/2020AMLM_SCHEDULE-091820.pdf
Barış Kalaycı recognized as Litigation & Enforcement Lawyer of the Year: White Collar Crime by Euromoney
Baris Kalayci, partner in our Business Crimes and Anti-Corruption practice, recognized as Litigation & Enforcement Lawyer of the Year in White Collar Crime by Euromoney Legal Media Group's European Life Sciences Awards 2020. 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.
Announcement of Promotions
We are pleased to announce the promotions of Dilan Sıla Kayalıca, Yalçın Umut Talay, Zeynep Çağla Üstün and Baran Güney as our new senior associates.