Exhaustion of Rights and Parallel Imports in Türkiye

If you lawfully bought goods, you can resell them. That balance is called exhaustion of rights: once goods have been put on the market by the proprietor or with its consent, the proprietor cannot rely on the mark to control subsequent sales (Article 152).

Where exhaustion happens matters

Under Turkish law exhaustion depends on the goods being placed on the market in Türkiye. Genuine goods first marketed abroad and then imported — parallel imports — are therefore not automatically covered, and the proprietor may object to their sale. Many marketplace sellers discover this only when a complaint lands: "the goods are genuine and I have invoices" is not, by itself, a complete answer.

The alteration exception

Even where rights are exhausted, the proprietor can act if the goods have been changed or impaired after being put on the market — repackaging, removal of serial numbers or security labels, splitting sets, or goods that are damaged or past their date.

How far a reseller may use the mark

A reseller may use the mark to advertise the goods; otherwise resale would be impossible. That licence is limited to describing the product. Creating the impression of an authorised dealership — using the logo in signage, shop name or corporate identity — exceeds it and invites unfair competition claims.

For brand owners

• Register in Türkiye; without a Turkish right there is no basis to act.
• Record the mark with customs — stopping goods at import beats chasing them in the market.
• Impose territorial restrictions in distribution agreements.
• Maintain batch traceability to identify the leaking channel.

See also our article on marketplace enforcement, or ask us to review your distribution model.

General information only, not legal advice.