Oracle, Turkish textile firm in fight over brand name

Özge Eğrikar ISTANBUL

Global software giant Oracle has filed a lawsuit against a Turkish textile company for having the same name registered.

The world’s second largest software company Oracle has filed a lawsuit against a Turkish textile company for having the same name registered as the global technology giant.

The U.S.-based multinational has moved to annul the registration name of the local textile company based in Osmanbey, one of Istanbul’s biggest ready-wear hubs.

In his written statement he to the Istanbul Intellectual and Industrial Rights Court, the lawyer representing Oracle said the company attempted to register its name as a trademark in Turkey in December 2013, however it was overturned by the Turkish Patent Institute (TPE), as the Bediz textile industry firm had already registered its name as “Oracle.”

“My client company is a world-known brand. It has continued its success and popularity that it earned in computer software through other products like clothes, hats, etc. and it has boosted its reputation as a known and trusted firm in this sector as well,” the lawyer told the court, claiming the Turkish firm’s registration of the name violates the business rights of the organization.

The petition also stressed that Oracle, which was named the 94th largest company in the world by Forbes magazine in 2014 and ranked 37th in the most valuable brands in the world, valued at $20.6 billion according to Brand Finance’s 2014 Top 500 list, was vulnerable to its global image being tarnished.

“The defendants who used my client’s name can benefit greatly [while] damaging my client’s reputation in the market,” the lawyer said, asking for the annulment of the Turkish company’s registration.