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
We Are the Firm of the Year Türkiye – LMG Life Sciences Awards EMEA 2025
Congratulations to our Life Sciences team on being named "Türkiye Firm of the Year" at the LMG Life Sciences Awards 2025 EMEA! This prestigious award reflects the team's commitment to excellence and innovation in life sciences law. The LMG Life Sciences Awards honor the region’s leading practitioners and firms for their standout work over the past year—recognizing the most impactful cases, deals, and legal strategies across the industry. We're proud to see our team’s…
Begüm Soydan Sayılkan and Atacan Yılmaz Delivered Presentations on Customs During the In-Service Training in Doğubayazıt
Our managing associate Begüm Soydan Sayılkan and our associate Atacan Yılmaz conducted presentations during the in-service training sessions organized by the General Directorate of Customs, held on May 28-29, 2025, in Doğubayazıt, Ağrı. These sessions, attended by customs officers from the Gürbulak and Eastern Anatolia Customs and Foreign Trade Regional Directorate, centered on the protection and enforcement of intellectual and industrial property rights at customs.…
Hande Hançar Listed in Top 250 Women in IP 2025
Congratulations to Hande Hançar on her recognition in the Top 250 Women in IP by IP Stars! This prestigious list highlights senior female intellectual property practitioners who are highly recommended by clients and peers, and who have made a significant impact on the IP field through their work, leadership, and influence. The Top 250 Women in IP is part of IP Stars’ annual research, which identifies outstanding women across the global IP profession.
We are Attending the INTA’s 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego
Our team - Barış Kalaycı, Güldeniz Doğan Alkan, Hande Hançar, Mutlu Yıldırım Köse, Uğur Aktekin, Zeynep Seda Alhas, and Pınar Arıkan are attending INTA’s 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. As always, the Annual Meeting will be a great opportunity to engage with fellow IP professionals, discuss the evolving global IP landscape, and reconnect with friends and colleagues from around the world. If you’ll be there and would like to connect-whether to explore…
INTA Pre-Annual Meeting Reception 2025 Istanbul Co-hosted By Gün + Partners
This reception is planned exclusively for you and your colleagues to learn more about INTA’s upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting. Feel free to bring a friend, colleague, or prospective member to find out more about this year's educational program, Business Development offerings, and more. Plus, learn about all the benefits of becoming an INTA member! Speaker: Şerif Yenen - Turkish tour guide, travel writer, and international speaker, Guest Lecturer at the Smithsonian, renowned…
Our Lawyers Have Been Recognised as Mondaq Thought Leading Authors
We are delighted our lawyers have been recognised as Mondaq Thought Leading Authors for the below categories at the Mondaq Spring 2025 awards. Arbitration & Dispute Resolution - A New Regulation on the Sanction for Non-Attendance to Mandatory MediationEmployment and HR - Changes to Minimum Wage, Severance Payments and Administrative Fines in 2025Compliance - Developments About Corporate Sustainability in TürkiyeEnvironmental Law - Developments About Corporate…
We are Attending the 11th AIDA Europe Conference in Madrid
We are pleased to announce our participation at the 11th AIDA Europe Conference, which will be held in Madrid on 29-30 May 2025 and extend an invitation for a potential meeting during the event. Aysel Korkmaz Yatkın, partner will be representing Gün + Partners at the conference. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or simply reconnecting, please feel free to get in touch with her. We eagerly anticipate the prospect of meeting you face-to-face at…
We are Attending the 22nd IBA Annual International Mergers & Acquisitions Conference in New York
We are pleased to announce our participation at the 22nd IBA Annual International Mergers & Acquisitions Conference, which will be held in New York on 4-5 Jun 2025 and extend an invitation for a potential meeting during the event. Görkem Bilgin, partner will be representing Gün + Partners at the conference. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or simply reconnecting, please feel free to get in touch with him. We eagerly anticipate the prospect…
Kendal Basut Was Recently Featured in the RAI Documentary, Punti di Vista – The Threat of Counterfeiting to Made in Italy
We are pleased to share that our Senior Associate, Kendal Basut, was recently featured in the RAI documentary program Punti di Vista, aired on April 9, 2025. In this episode, Kendal participated in a discussion addressing the increasing threat that counterfeiting poses to Italian industries amid rising protectionist measures and new tariffs. Alongside government officials, economic experts, and industry leaders, Kendal provided insights into the legal implications and…
Güldeniz Doğan Alkan Spoke at the Webinar Organized by TOBBUYUM
Our partner Güldeniz Doğan Alkan spoke at the webinar titled 'Dispute Resolution Mechanism in Domain Name Disputes,' organized by TOBBUYUM. The “Dispute Resolution Mechanism in Domain Name Disputes” webinar provided participants with valuable information on the methods that can be followed and the current legal procedures for resolving domain name disputes. With contributions from experts in domain name registration, infringements, and resolution methods, participants had…
We are Attending the 9th IBA Global Entrepreneurship Conference in Milan
We are pleased to announce our participation at the 9th IBA Global Entrepreneurship Conference, which will be held in Milan on 18-20 May 2025 and extend an invitation for a potential meeting during the event. Görkem Bilgin, partner, will be representing Gün + Partners at the conference. If you are interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or simply reconnecting, please feel free to get in touch with him. We eagerly anticipate the prospect of meeting you…
We Co-Hosted “Online Brand Protection in Türkiye (Webinar)” with CSC and ICANN.
In this webinar, experts from ICANN, Gün + Partners, and CSC Digital Brand Services covered: ICANN Update: An overview of the latest developments at ICANN and key updates from the ICANN81 Annual Meeting. Digital Asset Protection: Key strategies for protecting digital presence. Online Enforcement: Updates on building a corporate domain name strategy, with a focus on Türkiye. .COM.TR Liberalization and the Launch of .TR: Its impact on brand owners. IP Enforcement in the…