International Symposium of Current Developments on Intellectual Property Law Commences at BAUN

Hosted by Balıkesir University (BAUN) and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Directorate General of Copyrights, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, Balıkesir City Council, and the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, the International Symposium of Current Developments on Intellectual Property Law began with an opening ceremony held at the BAUN Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, Malazgirt Conference Hall.

The symposium, organized on June 23–24, 2023 under the theme of “Current Developments, Problems, and Solutions in the Field of Intellectual and Industrial Property,” was attended by Balıkesir Governor Hasan Şıldak, Deputy Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Birol Şahin, Chief Public Prosecutor Abdulkadir Akın, Rector of Balıkesir University Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, Deputy Director General of Copyrights at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Fatoş Altunç, Deputy President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office Dr. Mehmet Duyar, District Governor of Karesi Metin Arslanbaş, District Governor of Altıeylül Turgay Hakan Bilgin, Mayor of Altıeylül Hasan Avcı, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt, Prof. Dr. Murat Doğdubay, and Prof. Dr. Fatih Satıl, Provincial Director of Health Serkan Kadir Keskin, Provincial Director of İŞKUR Nazım Balcı, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ali Mazak, President of Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce Rahmi Kula, Senate members, members of the judiciary, academic and administrative staff, and students.

Following a moment of silence and the National Anthem, the program continued with a musical performance. In his opening remarks, Deputy President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office Dr. Mehmet Duyar provided information on patents, trademarks, and designs within intellectual property law, emphasizing the importance of innovation and R&D activities for sustained presence in international markets. He concluded his speech with best wishes for the symposium.

Deputy Director General of Copyrights Fatoş Altunç highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in the field of copyright, stating that they value partnerships with universities, which both strengthen and guide the accumulation of knowledge in Turkey. She expressed gratitude to all contributors to the symposium, which brought together distinguished national and international experts.

In his address, Rector of Balıkesir University Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu underscored that the symposium, the first of its kind in Balıkesir, was organized within a short time through intensive efforts, and expressed satisfaction in hosting participants from nine different countries. Delivering part of his speech in five different languages, Rector Oğurlu noted that academics and researchers from Turkey as well as Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Russia, and Gagauzia would present their papers during the symposium. He extended his gratitude to supporting institutions and participants, and further announced that in July, the university would also host the International Symposium on Administrative Law and Administrative Jurisdiction.

Deputy Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Birol Şahin, in his speech, emphasized the academic momentum gained at the university under the leadership of Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, stating that the symposium is significant in this regard. He further noted that the event was also important in highlighting the international value of brands and institutions located in Balıkesir, and extended his good wishes for the success of the symposium.

Governor of Balıkesir Hasan Şıldak also addressed the audience, underlining the universal reality that universities are not only institutions of teaching and learning but also centers where knowledge is produced and disseminated. He highlighted the importance of universities examining and developing issues on local and national scales, producing solutions, and pioneering guiding research. He stated that the symposium was valuable in this context and expressed his gratitude to participants and all contributors.

The opening program concluded with a plaque presentation ceremony and a commemorative group photograph.

Organized by the Faculty of Law of Balıkesir University with the participation of academics and researchers from law faculties and related departments of various universities in Turkey and abroad, the symposium will continue on its first day at the BAUN Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, and on its second day at the BAUN Burhaniye Practice Hotel with concurrent academic sessions and social programs conducted both in person and online.