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    Contributors Gökçe

    Gökçe is an independent law firm with full-service capacity based in Istanbul. Gökçe offers a broad range of legal services with a pragmatic and business-minded approach to meet the needs of its diverse client base, ranging from the most reputable international banks to rapidly expanding international companies. Since its establishment in 2010, Gökçe has been experiencing constant progress. Established mostly with the aim to specialize in technology law, Gökçe has garnered a solid reputation for its expertise in technology and media. Moreover, Gökçe has become a go-to law firm for high-profile commercial disputes.

    Gökçe is the Turkish representative of Interlaw, a highly-ranked international law firm network.

    Gökçe is also a member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide, a global resource of locally respected law firms.

    As the last groundbreaking progress, the Gökçe team published the first E-Sports Law book in Turkey. Gökçe has bolstered its IP, media and entertainment practice in 2021.

    Main Areas of Practice

    Technology, Media, Communication & Privacy

    Gökçe’s TMC & Privacy team’s reputation is built on delivering commercial and practical legal advice to clients active in the digital sphere in various industries, ranging from multinational Global 2000 enterprises to venture capitals and start-ups. With a highly qualified team, Gökçe’s scope of services covers broad range of matters including matters of IT law, internet law, cybersecurity law, telecommunications law, intellectual property law, consumer law, e-commerce and data protection.

    Team members frequently provide mentoring to emerging growth companies at leading start-up incubators and accelerators including İTÜ Çekirdek and Endeavor Turkey. Clients such as Hilton, N11, Nimo.tv (HUYA), All Stars Music, Eternal Fire, Onedio, Inofab, Evreka, Figopara are all widely recognized game changers in their respective industries; and Gram Games (a Zynga company), Masomo, Miniclip, and Codeway Games, all prominent actors in the e-gaming industry.

    The TMC & Privacy team is led by Turkish IT and Privacy Law “star” Dr. Bedii Kaya, along with his deep expertise in data analysis, data protection, cybersecurity, and internet law. In 2021, Gökçe strengthened its Media, Entertainment, and IP practice with representing and providing legal consultancy to its international and domestic clients for their IP-related projects including cross-border licensing, IP portfolio management, linear channels and VOD platforms, NFT projects, IP/IT related dispute resolutions, due diligence processes, merger & acquisitions in media & entertainment sectors, data protection requirements in Turkey, local compliances and so on.

    Corporate, M&A & Venture Capital

    Corporate, M&A and Venture Capital team focuses on large to middle-market cross-border and domestic corporate transactions in various industries. Gökçe advises on a range of corporate issues including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, venture capital transactions, corporate restructurings, spin-offs and corporate governance. Clients include Farasis Energy (Ganzhou), Figopara, Gedik Yatırım, hiVC, WorleyParsons, and Çelebi Holding. Team members are also highly adept in growth investment transactions and represent founder-led technology companies, from the early stage all the way up to growth phase and exit.

    Gökçe advised:

    • FIT Solutions (Foriba) founders on the sale of their shares to Sovos, a leading global tax compliance and regulatory reporting software company
    • Gram Games, a leading Turkish mobile game company on the acquisition by Zynga Inc
    • Four Mobile (Masomo) in the acquisition by Tencent owned mobile games developer Miniclip
    • Gameguru on the sale of one of its most downloaded hyper-casual games (namely, Slap Kings) to Lion Studios
    • HI Venture Capital a licensed venture capital investment company in its establishment
    • Various emerging growth companies on financings by private equity giants and growth/venture capital investors such as EBRD, IFC, Revo Capital, Endeavor, 500 Startups and Growth Circuit
    • Evreka, an outstanding waste collection solutions SaaS company
    • Neo Auvra, a pioneering medical health company
    • Figopara, a major fintech company acting as intermediary for trade finance transactions
    • Inofab, an innovative medical device company
    • Onedio, a prominent Turkish online content provider

    Banking & Finance & Capital Markets

    Gökçe has extensive experience in banking & finance and capital markets transactions, particularly in project financings.

    On the banking side, Gökçe provides international and local banks with legal advice on daily operational issues, multilateral and bilateral institutional support, equity fund investment and credit enhancement. On the finance side, Gökçe acts for both Turkish and foreign banks in a large spectrum of financing transactions, including domestic and cross-border transactions. On the capital markets side Gökçe’s practice covers the full range of transactions.

    Team members have represented İş Bankası, Vakıfbank, Ziraat Bankası, OdeaBank, TSKB, T-Bank, Fibabanka, Gedik Yatırım, Worldpay, CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétiqueand Nurol Holding on various project finance and financial restructuring transactions including energy sector, infrastructure, real estate project financing, acquisition financing and other types of asset financing.

    Dispute Resolution

    Gökçe has profound knowledge and experience in litigation, especially in commercial and IP-related disputes. Gökçe represented N11(Doğuş), NRC International, FIT Solutions, Celebi Aviation, BBraun, V-Count, Onedio, Trendbox, ASB Modern, and Seacor Holding on various commercial disputes.

    Employment

    Gökçe’s employment team has extensive expertise in handling the full spectrum of employment and labour law issues. It advises numerous clients including Biopipe, Evreka, Gram Games (a Zynga company), Codeway Games, Alba Prestige, Alictus, and various company directors/managers on:

    • Employment Contracts
    • Termination of Employment
    • Employment Disputes
    • Settlement of Disputes
    • Social Security Disputes

    Debt Recovery & Debt Collection

    Gökçe has a wide practice of debt collection activities including foreclosure proceedings, primarily conducted for high-volume commercial receivables of its clients. Gökçe represents Çelebi Aviation, Alpla, Seacor Holding, Geniks Kongre, Özak Global, B-Braun.

    Criminal Law

    Gökçe’s criminal law team represents clients in complex criminal law matters in relation to commercial fraud, white collar, financial, cyber, reconstruction crimes, and data protection offenses. Gökçe’s criminal law clientele includes well-known individuals in Turkey.

    Key Contacts

    Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Banking and Finance
    Fintech, Media & Entertainment, Startup Law & Entrepreneurship and Technology & Telecoms
    Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Fintech

    Awards

    Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Banking and Finance
    Fintech, Media & Entertainment, Startup Law & Entrepreneurship and Technology & Telecoms
    Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Fintech
    Commercial & Corporate, Startup Law & Entrepreneurship
    Commercial & Corporate, Startup Law & Entrepreneurship
    Fintech, Media & Entertainment, Startup Law & Entrepreneurship, Technology & Telecoms
    Fintech, Media & Entertainment, Startup Law & Entrepreneurship, Technology & Telecoms

    Will the Digital Euro Get Approval from the European Parliament?

    Digitalization has impacted payment methods, leading to a shift from cash to digital payments. To maintain confidence in currencies, the European Central Bank (ECB) introduced the concept of a "digital euro" in July 2021. The digital euro is an electronic version of the current euro banknotes and coins, intended to coexist with cash. The European Parliament's report on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) discusses the digital euro project, highlighting key issues and its potential impact on the retail payment industry. The report emphasizes the need for further research and caution in implementing the digital euro to avoid harming the commercial banking sector. The decision regarding the digital euro holds significant importance and should be carefully considered by the European Parliament.
    Görkem Gökçe
    Elif Aksöz

    Dijital Euro Avrupa Parlamentosu’ndan Onay Alacak Mı?

    Avrupa Merkez Bankası (ECB) Temmuz 2021'de "dijital euro" kavramını tanıttı. Dijital euro, mevcut euro banknot ve madeni paraların elektronik bir versiyonu olup nakit ile bir arada bulunması amaçlanmaktadır. Avrupa Parlamentosu'nun Merkez Bankası Dijital Para Birimi (CBDC) raporu, dijital euro projesini ele alarak temel sorunları ve perakende ödeme sektörü üzerindeki potansiyel etkisini vurguluyor. Raporda, ticari bankacılık sektörüne zarar vermemek için dijital avronun uygulanmasında daha fazla araştırma yapılması ve dikkatli olunması gerektiği vurgulanıyor.
    Görkem Gökçe
    Elif Aksöz

    Siber Güvenlik İçin AB’den Yeni Adım: Siber Dayanışma Yasası

    Avrupa Komisyonu, AB Siber Dayanışma Yasası teklifini kabul etti. Yasa, AB ülkelerinin siber güvenlik alanında etkin bir işbirliği yapmasına yönelik düzenlemeler içermektedir. Yasa, Siber Acil Durum Mekanizması ve Avrupa Siber Güvenlik Kalkanı oluşturarak önemli veya büyük ölçekli siber güvenlik olaylarını daha iyi tespit etmek, bunlara müdahale etmeyi hedeflemektedir. Komisyon, AB genelinde ulusal ve sınır ötesi Güvenlik Operasyon Merkezlerinden oluşan Avrupa Siber Güvenlik Kalkanı’nın kurulmasını öneriyor. Ayrıca, Yasa önemli veya büyük ölçekli siber güvenlik olaylarının gerçekleşmesi halinde, Siber Güvenlik Olay İnceleme Mekanizması kurulmasını da düzenlemektedir. Yasa, AB'nin siber güvenlik alanındaki yasal çerçevesini çizmek için bir adım daha atmaktadır.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz

    New Step from the EU for Cyber Security: Cyber Solidarity Act

    On 18 April 2023, the European Commission proposed the EU Cyber Solidarity Act to reinforce cybersecurity practices in the European Union (EU), which includes regulations for effective collaboration among EU member states in the field of cybersecurity. The Act establishes a Cyber Emergency Mechanism to prepare and respond to cyber-attacks, a European Cybersecurity Shield to detect and respond to significant or large-scale cybersecurity incidents, and a Cyber Security Incident Review Mechanism to evaluate incidents. The EU is taking a holistic approach to cybersecurity with end-to-end legal frameworks, and the implementation principles of the Act are expected to be announced next.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz

    Tasarımda Gizlilik ISO Standardı Olarak Kabul Edildi

    İlk olarak on dört yıl önce Kanadalı gizlilik komiseri Ann Cavoukian tarafından kullanılan “tasarımda gizlilik” kavramı (Privacy By Design – PbD) artık tüketici mal ve hizmetlerinin güvenliği için küresel bir gizlilik standardı.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz

    Privacy By Design Has Adopted as an ISO Standard

    Privacy by Design (PbD), which was first proposed by a Canadian privacy commissioner Ann Cavoukian fourteen years ago, is now a global privacy standard for the security of consumer goods and services.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz

    Topluluk Bulutu Hizmeti Sunan Hizmet Sağlayıcılara İlişkin Rehber Güncellendi

    Ödeme ve elektronik para kuruluşlarının faaliyetleri, Ödeme ve Menkul Kıymet Mutabakat Sistemleri, Ödeme Hizmetleri ve Elektronik Para Kuruluşları Hakkında Kanun uyarınca düzenleniyor. Son düzenlemelerle birlikte, ödeme ve elektronik para kuruluşlarının bilgi sistemleri için dış hizmet alımı yapmalarına izin veriliyor. Hassas müşteri verileri, rekabete duyarlı veriler ve kişisel veriler yalnızca özel bulut hizmet modeliyle alınabiliyor. Topluluk bulutu hizmeti sunan dış hizmet sağlayıcılarına uygunluk veren Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Merkez Bankası, Rehber Sürüm 1.1'i yayımlayarak topluluk bulutu hizmeti sunan dış hizmet sağlayıcıları için şartları ve süreçleri belirledi. Topluluk bulutu hizmeti sunmak isteyen firmaların, Rehber'de düzenlenen hususlara uyması gerekiyor.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz

    Guideline for Service Providers Offering Community Cloud Services is Updated

    The Turkish Central Bank has published an updated guideline on external service providers offering community cloud services to payment and electronic money institutions. The guideline includes conditions that external service providers must fulfill to obtain permission, as well as actions to be taken regarding application, evaluation, and supervision processes. Outsourcing is possible provided that the relevant hardware and software resources are allocated to other regulated credit institutions or financial institutions, and that TCMB grants approval to the outsourcing service provider. Only four companies have been authorized to provide community cloud services, and firms that have not yet submitted their applications must fulfill the requirements set out in the guideline.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz

    Highlights of the Communiqué Amending the Communiqué on Principles Regarding Portfolio Management Companies and Activities of Such Companies

    Recently, portfolio management companies in Turkey have been growing rapidly in both number and volume. This rapid growth has brought with it the necessity to make amendments to the law on PMCs.
    Görkem Gökçe
    Nazlı Nehir Sertbaş

    Portföy Yönetim Şirketleri ve Bu Şirketlerin Faaliyetlerine İlişkin Esaslar Tebliği’nde Değişiklik Yapılmasına Dair Tebliğ’de Dikkat Çeken Noktalar

    Son dönemlerde Türkiye’deki portföy yönetim şirketleri (PYŞ) sayı ve hacim olarak hızla büyümektedir. Bu hızlı büyüme, PYŞ’lere ilişkin mevzuatta değişiklikler yapılması ihtiyacını da beraberinde getirmiştir. Sektör tarafında, PYŞ’lerin genel olarak daha verimli şekilde faaliyet gösterebilmek için ihtiyaç duydukları teknik imkâna, istihdama ve gerekli organizasyonel yapıya ulaşmakta güçlük çektikleri düşünülmektedir.
    Görkem Gökçe
    Nazlı Nehir Sertbaş

    Digital Transformation Office Announces the Commissioning of BIGDES

    The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Digital Transformation Office announced on 4 January 2023 that the Information and Communication Security Compliance and Audit Monitoring System (BIGDES) was commissioned. With the implementation of BIGDES, it is aimed to oversee the activities for the Information and Communication Security Guide (Guide) compliance process and compliance audit, and the establishment and operation of the Information Security Management System.
    Görkem Gökçe
    Yağmur Yollu

    Dijital Dönüşüm Ofisi BİGDES’in Devreye Alındığı Duyurdu

    Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanlığı Dijital Dönüşüm Ofisi, 4 Ocak 2023 tarihinde Bilgi ve İletişim Güvenliği Uyum ve Denetim İzleme Sistemi’nin (BİGDES) devreye alındığını duyurdu. BİGDES’in devreye girmesiyle; Bilgi ve İletişim Güvenliği Rehberi’ne uyum süreci ile denetiminin; Bilgi Güvenliği Yönetim Sistemi’nin kurulumu ve işletimine yönelik faaliyetlerin gözetiminin sağlanması hedeflenmektedir.
    Görkem Gökçe
    Yağmur Yollu

    First Payment on Digital Turkish Lira Network Successfully Made

    In the scope of the first-phase studies of the Digital Turkish Lira Project led by the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (TCMB), the first payment transaction on the Digital Turkish Lira Network is successfully stated in the announcement dated 29 December 2022. Digital money, which is expressed as internet-based currency in digital contexts, is becoming more widespread. In this context, TCMB established the Digital Turkish Lira Collaboration Platform on 15 September 2021 to come together with local technology companies in order to construct the Digital Turkish Lira. This platform has carried out tests on many subjects such as blockchain technology, the use of distributed structures in payment systems, integration with instant payment systems.
    Yağmur Yollu

    Dijital Türk Lirası Ağı Üzerindeki İlk Ödeme İşlemi Başarıyla Gerçekleşti

    Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası (TCMB) öncülüğünde yürütülen Dijital Türk Lirası Projesi kapsamında, 29 Aralık 2022 tarihli duyuruda, Dijital Türk Lirası Ağı üzerindeki ilk ödeme işleminin başarıyla gerçekleştiği duyuruldu. Dijital para, dijital ortamlarda yer alan internet tabanlı para birimi olarak tanımlanabilir. Kullanım alanı oldukça yaygınlaşan dijital paralar konusunda Türkiye’de TCMB, 15 Eylül 2021’de Dijital Türk Lirası üretilmesi amacıyla yerli teknoloji firmalarıyla bir araya gelerek “Dijital Türk Lirası İşbirliği Platformu’nu” oluşturmuştu. Bu platform, blokzincir teknolojisi, dağıtık yapıların ödeme sistemlerinde kullanımı, anlık ödeme sistemleriyle entegrasyon gibi pek çok konuda testler gerçekleştirdi.
    Yağmur Yollu

    Draft Principles on Digital Assets and Private Law Opened to Public Opinion

    As part of the Project on Digital Assets, The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) published Draft Principles on Digital Assets and Private Law (Draft Principles) on 10 January 2023. Draft Principles has been prepared by working group over the course of seven sessions held between 2020-2022.
    Elif Aksöz

    Dijital Varlıklara İlişkin Özel Hukuk Taslak İlkeleri Kamuoyu Görüşüne Açıldı

    Uluslararası Özel Hukukun Birleştirilmesi Enstitüsü (UNIDROIT), Dijital Varlıklar Projesi kapsamında Dijital Varlıklara İlişkin Özel Hukuk Taslak İlkelerini (Taslak İlkeler) 10 Ocak 2023 tarihinde yayımladı. Taslak İlkeler çalışma grubu tarafından 2020-2022 yılları arasında gerçekleştirilen yedi oturumun ardından kabul edildi.
    Elif Aksöz

    NIS2 Directive: New Cyber Security Rules in the EU

    The European Commission's NIS2 Directive, aimed at harmonizing cybersecurity regulations across EU member states, entered into force on January 16, 2023. Key elements of the NIS2 Directive include broader application to additional industries, a list of security measures, initial notification obligations within 24 hours of significant cyber threats, strengthened supply chain cybersecurity, coordinated risk assessments, and stricter enforcement with fines up to €10 million or 2% of total global annual turnover. Member states must incorporate the NIS2 Directive provisions into their national laws by October 17, 2024.
    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bedii Kaya
    Elif Aksöz

    NIS2 Direktifi: AB’de Yeni Siber Güvenlik Kuralları

    NIS2 Direktifi: AB’de Yeni Siber Güvenlik Kuralları Avrupa Komisyonu tarafından kabul edilen ağ ve bilgi sistemlerinin güvenliğine ilişkin NIS 2 Direktifi 27 Aralık 2022 tarihinde Avrupa Birliği (AB) Resmî Gazetesi’nde yayımlandı ve 16 Ocak 2023’te yürürlüğe girdi. NIS2 Direktifi, üye devletlerde siber güvenlik düzenlemelerini ve siber güvenlik önlemlerinin uygulanmasını uyumlu hale getirmeyi amaçlıyor. Bu kapsamda NIS2 Direktifi, AB’de siber güvenliği güçlendirme yönünde atılmış oldukça önemli bir adım.
    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bedii Kaya
    Elif Aksöz

    Açık Bankacılık Hizmetlerine İlişkin Rehber Yayımlandı

    Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası (TCMB), 30 Aralık 2022 tarihinde açık bankacılık hizmetleri hakkında “Ödeme Hizmetlerinde Veri Paylaşım Servislerine İlişkin Rehber” (Rehber) yayımladı. Açık bankacılık (Open banking / open bank data), müşterilere daha iyi ve hızlı hizmetler sunulmasını amaçlayan bir hizmet türü. Bu kapsamda, müşterinin açık rızasıyla finansal sistemlerde yer alan verileri, üçüncü taraf hizmet sağlayıcıların erişimine açılır. Açık bankacılık hizmeti ile müşteriler finansal hesaplarında yer alan tüm verilerine tek ekran üzerinden erişim sağlayıp, işlemlerini gerçekleştirebilirler. Türkiye’de ise açık bankacılık hizmetleri, TCMB tarafından düzenlenip denetlenmekte.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz

    Guide to Open Banking Services is Published

    The Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB) published a guide on open banking services, outlining definitions, licensing, and certification processes for payment initiation services (PIS) and account information services (AIS). Open banking aims to provide customers with better, faster services by making financial data accessible to third-party providers with customer consent. The guide evaluates different business models in the industry and offers insights into PIS and AIS evaluation. This information serves as a guideline for open banking services in Turkey.
    Yağmur Yollu
    Elif Aksöz