Internet domain names

The internet, one of the most important inventions in world history, has influenced every aspect of life. In parallel with the rapid expansion of internet usage, legal issues related to internet domain name registrations have also increased.
Domain name registrations ending with extensions such as .com, .net, etc. are carried out by various companies under the supervision of ICANN, based on the “first come, first served” principle. Due to the registration of internet domain names by persons other than the rightful owners, various losses of rights may occur. Domain names acquired by bad-faith parties at very low costs may be resold to the rightful domain owner or to third parties at exorbitant prices, resulting in unjust enrichment.
In such cases, legal remedies should be pursued. If no positive response is obtained through a formal notice, a request for a preliminary injunction may be filed within the scope of unfair competition provisions or trademark infringement provisions.
In addition, for the cancellation of domain names, an application may be filed with the International Arbitration Center of the World Intellectual Property Organization to ensure the transfer of the domain name to its rightful owner.
In Türkiye, the only institution authorized to register domain names ending with the .tr extension is METU (Middle East Technical University). Prior to registration, METU requires applicants to submit documents such as a trademark registration certificate or a trade registry record. This practice minimizes bad-faith registrations for .tr domain names.
Documents Required for “.com.tr” Registration
It will be sufficient to submit only one of the official documents listed below that is appropriate for your field of activity.

For ad-soyad.com.tr: A photocopy of a national identity card bearing a Turkish Republic identification number, or a photocopy of a national identity card without a Turkish Republic identification number together with a printout obtained from a webpage displaying the Turkish Republic identification number,
For commercial legal entities and organizations: Any one of the documents mentioned in the three items below,

1- A “Certificate of Activity,” “Trade Registry Certificate,” “Chamber Registry Record,” or a trade name announcement published in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette obtained from the Chamber of Commerce,

2- A “Trademark Registration Certificate” or “Trademark Application Certificate” obtained from the Turkish Patent Institute,

3- A “Registry Certification” obtained from the Chamber of Tradesmen and Artisans of Türkiye or the “Trade Registry Gazette.”