The Legal 500

Mehmet Gün & Partners’ ‘exceptional’ IP group remains unchallenged within the Turkish legal market. Praised for being ‘good value for money’ and for its ‘swift responses’, the practice covers every corner of the IP market. Name partner Mehmet Gün chairs the patent group, and is praised for his ‘detailed knowledge of the Turkish litigation process’. Ugur Aktekin, who has ‘a deep knowledge of IP and the best practice in court’, co-heads the trade mark, design and copyright practice with the equally well regarded Selma Ünlü. The firm acts for most of the major life sciences companies, and an impressive range of technology, media and retail clients.

Rozita Nigrin-Borden and Yalin Akmenek are both recommended at Akol Avukatlik Bürosu. Past clients of the firm, which benefits from a strong international network, include the Hearst Corporation and Marie Claire International.

Arihan & Arihan is a highly rated IP boutique that is comfortable across all areas of IP law, including non-contentious regulatory matters, prosecutions and disputes. Taylan Arihan heads the firm whose past clients include Hugo Boss, Siemens and Timberland.

Çaga & Çaga Law Firm has an impressive clientbase in the media and entertainment sector, which regularly instructs it on contentious and non-contentious copyright and trade mark issues. Disputes partner Idil Çaga Degerli heads the team.

Headed by Mesut Çakmak, Çakmak Avukatlik Bürosu’s impressive IP team has two registered patent and trade mark attorneys, including Tugba Bayman. Highlights included achieving two favourable rulings for Diageo North America against the Turkish textile company Molloaglu Tekstil. Other clients include Mitsubishi, Garmin International and Philip Morris.

ELIG, Attorneys-at-Law has plenty of expertise in trade mark registrations and enforcements, representing clients such as Warner Bros., L’Oréal, 3M, Aldi and YouTube. Gonenc Gurkaynak is the key contact for IP advice.

Güner Law Office’s highly rated IP practice is especially active in the media and technology sectors. Recently it advised 20th Century Fox on the consolidation of its trade mark portfolio. Other major clients include Walt Disney, Konecranes, TNT, News Corporation and Turner Broadcasting.

Hergüner Bilgen Özeke’s well-regarded team recently represented the phone manufacturer HTC in a trade mark dispute regarding the use of the HTC name. Senem Ismen is the main point of contact.

Istanbul Patent & Trademark Consultancy, Ltd has an excellent reputation within the market. Dilek Ekdial heads the foreign trade mark and internet domain name disputes department, Ibrahim Ekdial is the overall head of litigation, Güven Calik is the main contact for domestic trade marks and industrial deisgn issues, and Erkan Sevinc heads the patent department. Past clients include Marriott, Nintendo, Pixar and UPS.

YukselKarkinKucuk’s ‘very professional and very responsive’ IP practice ‘knows its subject well and always consults you in the best way to resolve potential conflicts before they arrive’. Group heads Murat Karkin and Gökhan Gökçe are ‘both very knowledgeable in their subject and are trusted advisors’. The firm acts for a range of technology, media, pharmaceutical and retail clients on all patent, trade mark and data protection issues.

AMK Patent Consultation Co., Ltd has an active contentious practice and also regularly files trade mark, patent, industrial design and utility model applications. The firm acts for a range of major clients from Asia, Europe and the US. Ahmet Kiliçoglu is a major figure in the Turkish IP market.

Aksan Law Firm has a large clientbase in the life sciences sector and advises one of Turkey’s leading pharmaceuticals companies. Ibrahim Tuncel heads the practice, while the ‘business-oriented’ corporate partner Mehmet Tas is praised for his ‘excellent knowledge of Turkish IP law’.

Arzu Cosar is the main IP contact at Cosar Attorneys at Law, which was involved in several trade mark disputes for clients in the aviation and electronics sectors. The firm is also well versed in registration and licensing.

Ersoy Bilgehan Lawyers & Consultants regularly advises clients on trade mark issues, including transfers, licensing, distribution and franchise agreements. Ilknur Peksen and Gulistan Baltaci Hatay are the key contacts.

Moroglu Arseven’s ‘outstanding’ practice was boosted significantly following the arrival of IP partner Izik Ozdogan from the IP agency Ofo Ventura. The firm represents several clients in the healthcare and media sector.

Özkan Law Office has a very good niche advising international agricultural companies on the registration of their plant breeder’s rights in Turkey. The firm is also experienced in trade mark registrations and domain name disputes. Ayse Özkan is the main contact.

Pekin & Bayar Law Firm has a good track record advising pharmaceutical clients on contentious and non-contentious IP matters.

Pekin & Pekin has plenty of experience in the registration and protection of patents and trade marks, and represents a mix of companies within the IT, technology, life sciences, and fast moving goods sectors. Ayça Sevimay heads the team, which includes disputes partner Ali Gözutok.

Serap Zuvin Law Offices is well regarded for its expertise in the life sciences sector, where it is regularly instructed on contentious and non-contentious issues.

Lerzan Nalbantoglu heads the team at Turunç, which is recommended for trade mark, domain name, copyright and counterfeiting issues. Clients include Amway, Tesco-Kipa, and General Motors.