The Turkish Competition Authority rejects the trademark rights defence following its re-evaluation of commitment requests by two online used-car platforms in an alleged hardcore infringement investigation (Arabam.com / Vava Cars)

INTRODUCTION The Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) launched a full-fledged investigation (“Investigation”) against Arabam Com İnternet ve Bilgi Hizmetleri A.Ş. (“Arabam.com”), Vava Cars Turkey Otomotiv A.Ş. (“VAVA CARS”), Araba Sepeti Otomotiv Bilişim Danışmanlık Hizmetleri Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (“KAVAK”), and Letgo Mobil İnternet Servisleri ve Ticaret A.Ş. (“Letgo”), which operate in the purchase and sales of second-hand passenger cars via their online platforms to determine whether these undertakings violated Article 4 of Law No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition (“Competition Law”). Further to the initiation of the investigation, VAVA CARS and Arabam.com submitted their requests to initiate commitment negotiations but TCA rejected their requests. Then, both undertakings