Insights
Public Policy Review in Foreign Court Judgments and Arbitral Awards: Emerging Trends in 2025 Case Law
One of the most frequently raised objections in proceedings for the recognition and enforcement of foreign court and arbitral awards, as well as in actions for the setting aside of foreign arbitral awards, is the allegation that the decision is contrary to public policy. Owing to its broad and interpretative nature, the concept of public policy has become a standard line of defence invoked in almost every recognition, enforcement, or annulment proceeding. Until the Court of… »
The Euro Value Applied to Pharmaceutical Prices Has Been Increased by 16.9%
On 19 December 2025, Presidential Decision No. 10702 amending the Decision on the Pricing of Medicinal Products for Human Use (“Decision”), which was originally put into force by the Council of Ministers’ Decision dated 6 February 2017 and numbered 2017/9901, was published in the Official Gazette. With this amendment, changes have been introduced regarding (i) profit margins applied to warehouse and pharmacy sales prices and (ii) the Euro exchange rate used in the pricing of… »
Turkish Court of Cassation Invalidates Motor Oil Trademark Application in Monster Energy Drink Dispute
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… »
Significant Developments in the Implementation of the Turkish Commercial Code in 2026
Existing Facilitations for Capital Loss and Over-Indebtedness Calculations are Extended until 2026 Article 376 of the Turkish Commercial Code numbered 6102 (the “TCC”) regulates the measures to be taken and the precautions to be implemented by the board of directors of the company, and the procedures to be followed in cases where the company suffers capital loss or becomes over-indebted, in order to ensure the protection of the financial structure of the company and to secure… »
New Regulation on Plant Protection Products in Türkiye: Digital Governance and Traceability Model
Plant protection products are defined in legislation in a broad and highly technical manner. They refer to preparations offered to users in various forms which are used to protect plants and plant products against harmful organisms or to prevent the effects of such organisms, excluding products intended solely for plant nutrition. These products may also affect plant growth, control or prevent undesirable developments in plants or plant parts, or eliminate unwanted plants.… »
Regulatory Landscape of Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence in Türkiye
1- Major Legal Developments For industry stakeholders, most of the year was spent on implementing the developments from last year into their practice, as the most recent major legal developments came around at the end of 2024. The Personal Data Protection Law (the “Law”) is the main regulatory framework for data privacy in Türkiye. It was ratified in 2016, and the Personal Data Protection Authority (the “DPA”) was established by the Law. In 2024, the Law had some major… »
Polo Player v Jockey: Analysing The Turkish Trademark Department’s Device Marks Decision
The Trademarks Department of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (the Trademarks Department) has recently highlighted, in a dispute where the similarity of device marks and the well-known status argument were primary issues, that the evidence submitted in response to a proof-of-use request proved to be critically important to the success prospects of the opposition file. Opposition grounds and device mark differences The device trademark application shown below… »
OneTrust DataGuidance - Employment
Beril Yayla Sapan and Begüm Yavuzdogan Okumuş have contributed to Data Guidance Turkey - Employment, which is published by OneTrust. OneTrus Data Guidance Turkey - Employment provides detailed information on employee privacy and data protection regulations in Turkey, covering key legislation, official guidelines, supervisory authorities, and case law. It outlines the absence of a specific employee privacy law in Turkey but emphasizes the importance of the Personal Data… »
New Legal Provision Addressing Counterfeit and Unauthorized Practices in the Medical Device Industry
The Law No. 7557 on the “Amendments to Certain Laws Related to Health and to the Decree Law No. 663”, which entered into force on 24 July 2025, introduced numerous changes that directly affect the healthcare sector. One of these changes is the Additional Article 20, which was added to the Basic Law on Health Services. This article aims to address critical areas such as the placement of counterfeit medical devices on the market, unauthorized sales and technical service… »
From the Perspective of Data Protection and Cybersecurity: Increasing Need for Regulation in Artificial Intelligence
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the widespread use of generative artificial intelligence systems also bring the need to regulate artificial intelligence. The steps taken and the issues discussed in European Union member states within the scope of the European Union’s AI Act have also begun to clarify the legal framework applicable to those systems and applications. Despite the lack of any specific regulation applicable to AI in Türkiye… »
Surprise Boxes: Mystery or Risk for Consumers?
In recent years, the concept of “mystery boxes” or “surprise boxes” has become increasingly popular, taking a central place in the marketing strategies of many companies. While the element of surprise and intrigue offered by these products is highly appealing, it also raises various legal questions regarding whether the delivered items actually meet consumer expectations. The Advertisement Board (“Board”), at its meeting dated September 11, 2025, placed on its agenda mystery… »
Turkish Courts Invalidate Trademark for Similarity to Madran Mountain Spring Water
In Turkey, absolute grounds for refusal in trademark registration are regulated under Article 5 of the Industrial Property Code No 6769 (the IP Code). According to Article 5(1)(f) of the IP Code, signs that may mislead the public about matters such as the nature, quality or geographical origin of the goods or services are one of the absolute grounds for refusal, meaning that those signs shall not be registered as trademarks. Background In an opposition proceeding before the… »
News and Events
Our Lawyers Met with ELSA Ankara Members
As part of the "Lawyers @ Work" event, we hosted ELSA (European Law Students Association) Ankara member law students in our office. Our lawyers shared their working in a full service and institutional law firm experience with ELSA Ankara members and answered the questions of the participants about our firm.
Begüm Yavuzdoğan Okumuş Recognized in Lexology Index: Data 2025
Congratulations to Begüm to be recognized as one of the world's leading Data Privacy & Protection practitioners in the Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal) Data 2025. Lexology Index: Data recognizes the leading lawyers in the areas of data privacy and protection, data security and information technology. Those selected are experts in ensuring that company and individual data remains private, assisting clients with keeping personal control of their data…
Uğur Aktekin and Zeynep Seda Alhas Will Moderate Sessions at the Sertaç Köksaldı 6th Intellectual Property Law Seminar
As part of the “Sertaç Köksaldı 6th Intellectual Property Law Seminar”, current IP issues will be discussed by judges, lawyers, academics, patent and trademark attorneys, and representatives from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, all of whom are experienced and have made significant contributions in their respective fields, both in Türkiye and abroad. Topics to be covered in the seminar: Intellectual Property Law in the Context of Artificial…
Barış Kalaycı and Atahan Erkul Discussed IP Enforcement in Türkiye at JETRO Webinar
Our Partner Barış Kalaycı and Senior Associate Atahan Erkul discussed the current state of combating against counterfeits and provided an overview of effective IP enforcement measures in Türkiye over the past year at the 'Türkiye's IPR System and Enforcement' webinar hosted by JETRO.
We Are Attending the 13th IBA European Corporate and Private M&A Conference in Paris
We are pleased to announce our participation at the 13th IBA European Corporate and Private M&A Conference, which will be held in Paris on 6 - 7 Feb 2025 and extend an invitation for a potential meeting during the event. Görkem Bilgin, partner, and Yalçın Umut Talay, managing associate, 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…
Mehmet Gün Spoke at the TÜSİAD SD2 / STEP Panel
Mehmet Gün, our founding partner, spoke in the TÜSİAD SD2 / STEP Panel - Artificial Intelligence and Data Usage: Legal and Security Dimensions organized by TÜSİAD SD2 on November 28. During the panel, the speakers discussed the areas of application for artificial intelligence and data, the expectations of companies from these technologies, the legal and security risks that may arise while utilizing them, the measures that can be taken, and important warnings. They also…
Baran Güney Spoke at Özyeğin University
Baran Güney, our managing associate, served as a guest lecturer in an Advertising Law class at Özyeğin University Faculty of Law. His lecture focused on the legal regulations governing advertisements on social media.
Özge Atılgan Karakulak Spoke at the Pharma Biotech Patent Litigation Europe Summit
Özge Atılgan Karakulak, partner in our Life Sciences and Patents and Utility Models practices, spoke at the Pharma Biotech Patent Litigation Europe Summit in Amsterdam, which took place on January 21-22, 2025. She spoke at the session titled “Bolar Exemption Safe Harbor Update Across Europe and the USA." The summit provides critical insights, including analyses of the first UPC decisions on the merits, cross-border case law, and refined litigation strategies. Key sessions…
Announcement of New Senior Associate Promotions, 2025
We are pleased to announce the continued growth of our firm with the promotion of Ayşenur Çıtak Bozdağ, Bengü Şen Gürakan, Beste Turan Kurtoğlu, Seda Takmaz, and Utku Süngü to Senior Associate, effective 1 January 2025.
Gün + Partners Top Ranked by WTR 1000 2025
We have been ranked as a top-tier firm in both the “Enforcement and Litigation” and “Prosecution and Strategy” categories in the World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2025. Additionally, 13 of our practitioners have been recognized as recommended individuals. The WTR 1000 identifies the top trademark practitioners and firms worldwide, serving as the definitive ‘go-to’ guide for those seeking legal trademark expertise. WTR…
Direnç Bada Will Be a Speaker at the 15th Annual Pharma Serialization & Supply Chain 2025
We are pleased to announce that our Managing Associate, Direnç Bada, will be a speaker at the 15th Annual Pharma Serialization & Supply Chain 2025 in Brussels. This conference aims to integrate business and technical solutions to globally combat counterfeit medicines. Discussions will cover serialization processes, analytical techniques for counterfeit detection, and strategies to enhance supply chain security.
Zeynep Çağla Üstün Spoke at "Lawyers at Work" Event Organized by ELSA
Our managing associate Zeynep Çağla Üstün participated as a speaker at the "Lawyers at Work" event organized by ELSA Ankara on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Zeynep shared her experiences related to a career in an institutional law firm with law school students, providing information about Gün + Partners' activities, practice areas, internship opportunities, and workplace experience.