To celebrate the location for the 2026 FICPI Executive Committee meeting (ExCo) and one-day seminar taking place in April, we are delighted to introduce you to FICPI-Türkiye, a dynamic and growing FICPI Section established in 2016.
Section President, Gökçe Izgi, gives us an insight into the evolving IP system in Türkiye, ever-more sophisticated IP practices, and the group’s activities and role within the global FICPI community.
Türkiye sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — legally, commercially, and culturally. For IP practitioners, this creates both complexity and opportunity.
Our goal in FICPI-Türkiye is to build bridges: between jurisdictions, between generations, and between legal systems.
Whilst Türkiye has its own domestic IP legislation and institutions, its legal framework is largely aligned with EU legislation.
This provides significant predictability and practical convenience in the establishment, management, and enforcement of IP rights, particularly for inventors from Europe. It also facilitates the active involvement of Turkish IP attorneys internationally, enabling them to contribute to discussions, share insights on local practice, and exchange practical experience regarding implementation and enforcement trends across jurisdictions.
A brief introduction to FICPI-Türkiye
FICPI-Türkiye brings together leading Turkish independent IP attorneys in private practice. Our members are highly active in trade mark, patent, design and litigation work, representing major international clients as well as local rights holders.
We place particular emphasis on mentoring younger practitioners and fostering international dialogue. Hosting the 2026 ExCo in Istanbul is a significant milestone for us and reflects the growing engagement of our Section within the global FICPI community.
Find out more about FICPI-Türkiye at: https://ficpi.org.tr
What do you think will interest people most about the topics and speakers in the April seminar?
The FICPI and FICPI-Türkiye one-day seminar in Istanbul on 20 April will bring together practitioners who combine practical enforcement experience with strategic insight.
Creating a compelling and timely programme, the focus will be on:
- Real case-driven discussions
- Cross-border perspectives
- Practical solutions rather than purely theoretical analysis.
Attendees can expect actionable insights relevant to contentious and transactional IP work.
Book now at: https://ficpi.org/events/event/ficpi-turkiye-seminar-2026
Why should Turkish IP attorneys in private practice join FICPI-Türkiye?
FICPI-Türkiye and FICPI International prioritise the development of the IP profession in accordance with strong professional standards and ethical principles.
Within the Section, we closely monitor developments in trade mark and patents, and the professional growth of our members. We consistently place the advancement of discipline and quality standards within the IP attorney profession at the forefront of our mission, in line with FICPI International.
FICPI-Türkiye has been active for almost a decade and has significantly increased its international visibility in recent years. We organise regular webinars, seminars, roundtables, and networking events focusing on legislative developments, case law, and cross-border cooperation.
Our Executive Committee meets every two months to oversee the Section's activities and strategic direction. Members come together two to three times a year through dedicated webinars, where current IP developments and cross-border issues are discussed in depth. In addition, we organise an annual seminar in Istanbul — open not only to members but also to the wider IP community — bringing together practitioners, academics, and industry professionals in a dynamic one-day programme. These gatherings reflect the collegial and collaborative spirit at the heart of FICPI-Türkiye.
As part of the FICPI family, FICPI-Türkiye offers three key advantages to independent IP attorneys:
- International reach – direct access to a trusted global network of independent IP firms
- High-level dialogue – discussions on legislative developments, enforcement practice, and strategy beyond basic technical updates
- Professional positioning – visibility and collaboration opportunities in a competitive and evolving market.
For attorneys in private practice, FICPI is not only a network; it is a platform for influence, policy input, and long-term professional growth.
How is the IP profession in Türkiye organised and developed?
The IP profession in Türkiye has a dual structure:
- Patent and trade mark attorneys are registered before the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TPTO) and must pass a qualifying examination.
- In addition, many patent and trade mark attorneys in Türkiye are also qualified attorneys-at-law. In such cases, they are simultaneously registered with the relevant Bar Association, enabling them to act both as IP attorneys before the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office and as litigators before the courts.
IP practice in Türkiye has become increasingly sophisticated, particularly in life sciences, technology, and brand enforcement. International filings via WIPO and validation of EPO-granted patents in Türkiye are very common, and Turkish practitioners frequently work on cross-border strategies.
What issues of IP law or practice specific to Türkiye should FICPI members in other countries and regions be aware of?
Türkiye is a fast-moving jurisdiction, and strategic timing often plays a decisive role in enforcement success.
Several aspects are particularly relevant:
Treaties:
- Türkiye is a party to major international IP treaties, including the Madrid Protocol, TRIPS Agreement, Paris Convention, European Patent Convention (EPC), and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
- Multi-class trade mark applications are available.
- Validation of European patents (EP) in Türkiye is possible following grant.
Speed and technology:
- All IP rights applications can be filed online, and the official registry is fully public and accessible electronically.
- Strong and frequently used preliminary injunction practice in IP litigation.
- Active customs enforcement mechanisms for trade mark protection.
- A dynamic approach to bad faith filings and non-use cancellation actions.
- Increasing importance of domain name disputes under the framework established by TRABIS – the .tr Network Information System.
An active IP profession:
- Türkiye has a significant number of patent and trade mark attorneys who are active members of international professional organisations, reflecting the internationally integrated nature of its IP practice.
What recent developments in Türkiye law, practice or cases should our global members and their clients know about?
Recent developments include:
- Ongoing refinements in non-use cancellation proceedings before the TPTO.
- Evolving case law on well-known marks and bad faith filings.
- Increased digitalisation of administrative procedures.
- Growing judicial experience in technically complex patent disputes.
- Türkiye is a manufacturing hub and a key consumer market (it is the 17th?largest economy in the world), which makes proactive IP strategy essential.
Could you describe your role in FICPI-Türkiye and your career in IP?
I am actively involved in FICPI Türkiye’s leadership and international engagement, with a particular focus on strengthening global collaboration and increasing the visibility of Turkish IP practice.
Professionally, I am a partner at Moroğlu Arseven, specialising in trade marks, patents, and complex IP litigation. I have a particular interest in science-driven sectors such as life sciences and technology.
Beyond casework, I am passionate about mentoring younger professionals and contributing to international dialogue on the future of IP practice.
I participate in international FICPI events and working groups, and I am actively engaged in cross-border collaboration initiatives.
Final thoughts
Hosting the 2026 ExCo in Istanbul is one of our key upcoming projects, and we see it as an important opportunity to strengthen connections between regional and global IP communities. We look forward to welcoming colleagues to the ExCo and seminar in Istanbul and continuing to strengthen our global collaboration.
Editor's note: The Executive Committee (EXCO) is FICPI’s primary governing body, comprising delegates appointed by each of FICPI’s National Associations and Sections. The EXCO plays a vital role in shaping the direction of FICPI. It approves the annual budget and membership fees, decides on the admission of new members, and debates draft position papers and resolutions that define FICPI’s policy on key issues facing the IP profession and its clients.
