Prison sentence for Medyaradar Editor-in-Chief Denizhan Erkoç
Denizhan Erkoç, Editor-in-Chief of Medyaradar—which was previously hit with an access ban following a complaint by Turkuvaz Medya—has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for violating the Trademark Law.
12punto
An Ankara-based restaurant brand filed a criminal complaint against Denizhan Erkoç, the Editor-in-Chief of Medyaradar, alleging that he violated the company's trademark rights by using its name for his workplace.
According to a report in Sabah, known for its proximity to the government, an investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office resulted in a lawsuit seeking up to 3 years in prison for Denizhan Erkoç on charges of 'Trademark Infringement'.
10-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE
The Ankara Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights Court ruled to sentence Erkoç to 10 months in prison, rejecting his defense that the trademark was registered, on the grounds that the registration covered accommodation services but did not include food and beverage services.
APPEAL REJECTED, SENTENCE FINALIZED
While Erkoç's lawyers appealed the decision, the 23rd Criminal Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice, to which the file was sent, rejected the appeal. The sentence against Erkoç has been finalized.
MEDYARADAR HAD BEEN HIT WITH AN ACCESS BAN
Medyaradar had previously been hit with an access ban following a complaint by Turkuvaz Medya. Speaking to 12punto regarding the access ban decision, Erkoç stated that the ban was unlawful and noted that the appeal process had been delayed due to the judicial recess.