Turkey has amended its Copyright Law and replaced its Patent, and Trademarks Laws with new Laws while introducing Industrial Designs, Geographical signs and Utility Models Laws for the first time.

IP Rights violations are met with monetary penalties up to TL 2.000.000.000 and imprisonment up to (4) years. In addition fines and imprisonment, in case of conviction the Business Place are closed down for one year as well as banning the violators from public services as long as the imprisonment periods.

Criminal penalties are in addition to the civil remedies. Prosecution of IP violations have been made subject to the quickest investigation procedures, which authorise the police to seize the counterfeited products.

New laws also facilitate issuing of precautionary injunctions both in civil and criminal proceedings.

The content of this article is to provide only a general information on the subject. Legal advice should be sought for any specific circumstances.