Net Holding Wins Copyright Case Against MeritKing.News

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has ruled in favor of Net Holding in its dispute against the domain name MeritKing.News, which allegedly used the company’s “Merit” trademark without authorization. As a result of the decision, the domain name has been transferred to Net Holding.

Net Holding achieved a major victory in its long-running copyright and trademark battle against the online platform MeritKing.News, which the company accused of imitating its “Merit” brand. Following the UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) process at WIPO, the panel decided that the domain should be transferred to Net Holding. The company described the decision as “a historic win for brand integrity and the public interest.”

UDRP Process and Details of the Decision

After identifying the unauthorized use of its registered “Merit” trademark, which has been in existence since 1988, Net Holding filed a UDRP complaint with WIPO regarding the domain name MeritKing.News. The company argued that the domain created confusion with its registered brand, misleading the public into believing there was a sponsorship or commercial connection between the two.

The panel of experts appointed by WIPO examined the case and concluded that Net Holding’s trademark rights had been violated.
The decision stated that “meritking.news” was confusingly similar to the Merit brand, lacked legitimate intent, and could mislead internet users. Consequently, WIPO ordered the transfer of the domain name to Net Holding.

In a company statement, Net Holding emphasized that the ruling sets “an important precedent for protecting brand reputation in the digital environment.” The statement added:

“We will never allow the Merit brand—built through decades of investment—to be associated with illegal activities.”

Sports Sponsorships and Public Reactions

One of the most visible aspects of the MeritKing.News controversy emerged through sports sponsorships during the summer of 2024.
Logos resembling the “Merit” brand appeared on LED advertising boards during Turkish Super League matches and on some football club jerseys.

The controversy intensified when Galatasaray displayed the MeritKing.News logo on the back of its jerseys, sparking widespread public debate.
Soon after, the club announced that it had suspended the sponsorship deal, clarifying that the sponsor had no affiliation with Net Holding or the Merit brand.

Reports also suggested that some European clubs—most notably Parma and Torino in Italy—reviewed or terminated similar sponsorships.

Net Holding argued that such sponsorships were a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and exploit the brand’s credibility.

“Platforms like MeritKing.News have sought to gain legitimacy by exploiting the trust associated with our brand,” the company stated.

Industry experts noted that the incident not only represents a case of trademark infringement, but also highlights the importance of digital identity verification in sports sponsorship agreements.

Legal Proceedings and Preventive Measures

In addition to the UDRP process at WIPO, Net Holding also initiated legal proceedings in Turkey.
The company filed a lawsuit with the Istanbul 4th Civil Court for Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights, citing unauthorized trademark use and public deception.

According to the expert report submitted to the court, the domain MeritKing.News was found to be redirecting users to illegal betting platforms. The report emphasized that the domain’s presentation gave the misleading impression of being commercially linked to the Merit brand.

Following these findings, the court issued a preliminary injunction, ordering access restrictions on the MeritKing.News domain.
The ruling also required the removal of related digital content and the initiation of technical procedures for the domain’s transfer.

Net Holding stated that it cooperated with the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), the Capital Markets Board (SPK), and the Public Prosecutor’s Office throughout the process.

“This decision is not only about protecting a brand,” the company said,
“but also about ensuring fair competition in the digital sphere.”

Significance and Industry Impact

Legal experts believe that Net Holding’s victory could serve as a landmark case for digital brand protection in both Turkey and Northern Cyprus. With the increasing frequency of brand misuse, domain squatting, and illegal online betting activities, the WIPO ruling is viewed as a preventive safeguard for companies operating online.

Specialists emphasize that such cases serve as a warning for brands, sports clubs, and advertising agencies alike. They recommend that companies perform official trademark and ownership verifications before entering sponsorship or media agreements to avoid similar disputes.

Net Holding’s success not only resulted in the recovery of a domain name, but also raised awareness about the importance of safeguarding brand reputation in the digital age. The company has stated that it plans to pursue additional legal actions against similar domain names to further strengthen its brand protection strategy.