Insights
CJEU Declares the Criteria to be Considered in Determination of Bad Faith
In its judgement of 12 September 2019, the European Union Court of Justice (“CJEU”) held that the applicant was acting in bad faith when he filed the application for the trademark taking the earlier business relationship between the applicant and the opponent and ruled how the conditions sought for bad faith should be examined. In the judgment C-104/18 P, which was handed down by the CJEU on 12.09.2019, it was declared which criteria should be taken into consideration for the… »
A Comparative Analysis of Content-of-Laws Inquiry and its Importance for International Commercial Arbitration
How is the content of laws determined, and by whom, in international commercial arbitration? This topic mainly concerns an old legal assumption: iura novit curia, the Latin legal maxim for “the court knows the law”. While somewhat reasonable and predictable on the face of it since anyone can reasonably expect the court to know the law, the assumption paves the way for some serious practical consequences: If the court knows the law, parties are mostly expected to furnish the… »
“Cannabis Store Amsterdam” Marka Başvurusu Kamu Düzenine Aykırı Bulundu!
Announcement on New Medical Device Requirements
Dicle Doğan and Fatma Sevde Tan, Gun + Partners The EU Medical Devices Regulations ((EU) 2017/745) (MDR) will become applicable on 26 May 2020. As a non-EU country, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency published an announcement (Turkish language) on 30 December 2019 advising that harmonisation of Turkish regulations with the new rules is to continue. The announcement notes that the MDR sets new principles for manufacturers, importers and distributors, and new… »
Anti-Corruption & Compliance Enforcement and Legislation Developments in 2019
In this article, we review the developments in 2019 about anti-corruption and compliance matters concerning Turkey from both national and international perspectives. Latest Development in EU-Turkey Relationship The European Commission has published “Turkey 2019 Report” as part of 2019 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy.[1] The shortcomings and recommendations to make progress in the fight against corruption are among the topics underlined in the report. The European… »
Circular on the Notifications Made Through the Pharmaceutical Tracking System
The Pharmaceutical Tracking System (İlaç Takip Sistemi, “ITS”) is the system adopted by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Device Agency (the “Agency”) for pharmaceutical industry, enabling to determine the locations of pharmaceuticals in the supply and distribution chain in Turkey. A data matrix is printed on the products’ packaging which allows the tracking of each transaction in the supply chain as of the product’s production or importation. ITS is defined under the… »
FICPI-Turkey Roundtable on the Similarity of Trade Marks and Its Application
FICPI-Turkey held a successful IP Law Seminar in October, at Yaşar University in Izmir, comparing European patent oppositions with Turkish oppositions, and looking at trade mark use and proof of use. Around 90 people attended the meeting. On 25th October, during the “IP Law Seminar”, Dr.-Ing. Christian Wende and Serkan Özkan discussed patent opposition procedures. Christian is a member of FICPI-Germany and Reporter for FICPI CET 4 (Working Group for European Patents);… »
FICPI-Turkey Holds Intellectual Property Law Seminar in Izmir
FICPI-Turkey arranged the seventh of its traditional roundtable meetings in September, this time focusing on the trade mark similarity concept for the assessment of likelihood of confusion and the approach of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, Türk Patent, and the Courts. Ms. Gökçe İzgi, a member of the Board of Directors of FICPI-Turkey, moderated the meeting accompanied by Mr. Türkay Alıca, who is a Retired Judge of Civil Courts for Intellectual and Industrial… »
Latest Development on Data Localization Requirements in Turkey
The Information Technologies and Communication Authority in Turkey published two decisions regulating embedded SIM technologies that have generated a buzz in the country, especially the SIM card localization requirement for e-call systems, which prevent permanent roaming, in vehicles. The country’s automotive industry has been the most affected by the decisions as they have effectively prevented new vehicles from being imported into the country. The first decision regulates… »
Victory for Versace as Design Is Rejected on the Ground That It Constitutes “Unauthorised Use of an IP Right”
The Intellectual Property Code No 6769 introduced the “unauthorised use of an IP right” as a relative ground for refusal of a design application under Article 67/2 The Patent and Trademark Office recently rejected a design on the ground that it constituted an unauthorised use of Versace’s figurative marks The decision serves as a good example of the implementation of Article 67/2 The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office has recently rejected a design application that included an… »
Regulation on Intellectual Property Academy Enters Into Force
The Intellectual Property Academy was founded by presidential decree in July 2018 The Regulation on the Intellectual Property Academy was published in the Offi cial Gazette on 14 November 2019 and entered into force on the same day Among other things, the regulation sets out the working procedures and principles of the academy, as well as its educational, consultancy, research and coordination activities In the past years, several concrete and important steps have been… »
Constitutionality of 5% Interest Rate Payment Rule Under Press Labour Law
On 19 September 2019 the Constitutional Court found that the requirement for employers to pay interest at a rate of 5% for each day that a journalist's overtime payments remain outstanding conflicts with the Constitution. As such, the court repealed this requirement.(1) Background Under Turkish law, journalists are subject to the Press Labour Law 5953, which sets out their employment rights, including their right to a salary. Pursuant to the law, where salary payments are not… »