The 2nd International Symposium on Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Law Began at BAÜN

Hosted by Balıkesir University (BAÜN); Ministry of Culture and Tourism Copyright Directorate General, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, Balıkesir City Council, Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, L. N. Gumilev Eurasian National University, and the International Vision University of North Macedonia, the ‘Current Developments in Intellectual Property Law – II International Symposium 2024’ commenced with an opening ceremony held at the Malazgirt Conference Hall of the BAÜN Atatürk Congress and Culture Centre.

The symposium, held on 3-4 May 2024 with the theme of current developments, problems and solutions in the field of intellectual and industrial property, was attended by Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, Honorary First President of the Court of Cassation İsmail Rüştü Cirit, Garrison and 9th Main Jet Base Commander Air Force Pilot Cihangir Kemal Yüzçelik, Commander of the MSÜ Kara Asb. MYO Brigadier General İsmail Analı, Chief Public Prosecutor Abdulkadir Akın, President of the Justice Commission of the Court of First Instance Mehmet Soner Sağıroğlu, Rector of Balıkesir University Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, Rector of the International Vision University of North Macedonia Prof. Dr. Ahmet Vecdi Can, President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office Prof. Dr. Muhammed Zeki Durak, Karesi District Governor Metin Arslanbaş, Altıeylül District Governor Turgay Hakan Bilgin, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt, Prof. Dr. Murat Doğdubay, Prof. Dr. Fatih Satıl, MSÜ Kara Asb. MYO Md. Prof. Dr. Şenol Çelik, representatives from the provincial protocol, Senate Members, members of the judiciary, academic and administrative staff, and students.

Following a moment of silence and the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem, Prof. Dr. Muhammed Zeki Durak, President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, delivered the opening speech. He stated that in today's world, companies are built on their patents, trademarks, and copyrights, and spoke about the increasing importance of intangible assets, saying that intellectual property is becoming more important every day. Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, Rector of Balıkesir University, also expressed his satisfaction at organising the second symposium, the first of which was held in Balıkesir last year, in his opening speech. Rector Oğurlu stated that they hosted participants specialising in intellectual property law from North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as Turkey, at the symposium, and thanked the institutions that supported the symposium and the participants. Rector Oğurlu added that the university will host nearly 20 national and international symposiums in 2024.

The Honorary First President of the Court of Cassation, İsmail Rüştü Cirit, also delivered a speech at the opening of the symposium. In his speech, Honorary President İsmail Rüştü Cirit emphasised the importance of Intellectual Property Law and expressed his pleasure at being at the symposium, where intellectual property would be addressed from many angles. Cirit also drew attention to the importance of quality education in the field of law, added his wishes for the success of the symposium, and thanked those who contributed to its organisation.

Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu also delivered an opening speech at the symposium. Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu noted that the protection of intellectual property rights, which are becoming increasingly important today, is an area with international implications. Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu wished the symposium success.