Unfair competition

Unfair competition under Turkish law covers deceptive conduct and other commercial practices contrary to good faith that affect relations among competitors or between suppliers and customers. The regime aims to secure undistorted competition for the benefit of all participants.

The Commercial Code lists typical examples: disparaging others' goods or activities, dishonest comparative advertising, creating confusion with another's products, breaching standard business terms and exploiting trade secrets. Poaching employees and diverting a competitor's clientele through dishonest means are also frequent in practice.

Injured parties may seek declaratory relief, injunctions, restoration and damages, and culpable offenders face criminal sanctions. These claims are subject to relatively short statutory limitation periods, which should not be overlooked.