Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Court says Martı TAG cannot be banned through a lawsuit
A regional appeals court in Turkey ruled that Martı TAG cannot be banned by a court.
The decision ends a four-year unfair-competition case brought by more than 10 taxi associations, including groups in Istanbul and Antalya.
Martı TAG is a platform for shared rides, and taxi groups had challenged its business.
The court said the service falls under the constitutional freedom to do business because no law or authorized regulation bans it or requires a permit.
It also said new rules are needed for urban transport, and creating them is the legislature’s job.
The ruling means the taxi associations did not win their effort to stop Martı TAG, but it does not set out what new rules will be or when they might be introduced.
An appeals court ruled that Martı TAG’s ride-sharing service cannot be prohibited by a court.
The case was brought by more than 10 taxi chambers, including groups in Istanbul and Antalya, alleging unfair competition.
The court said banning or licensing a type of commercial activity is a matter for lawmakers and administrative authorities, not the courts.
It said Martı TAG falls within the constitutional freedom of enterprise and that new legislation is needed to regulate urban transport.
Martı TAG founder Oğuz Alper Öktem welcomed the ruling, while the sources report no response from the taxi chambers.
- Who
- Martı TAG and taxi chambers, including the Istanbul Automobile Tradesmen’s Chamber and Antalya Drivers and Automobile Tradesmen’s Chamber.
- What
- An appeals court ruled that Martı TAG cannot be banned through a court decision.
- When
- October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Turkey; the ruling was issued by the 14th Regional Court of Appeal.
- Why
- The court said prohibiting or licensing a commercial activity is for lawmakers and administrative authorities, and cited freedom of enterprise.
Taxi chambers
Martı TAG
Claim in case
Taxi chambers
The taxi chambers sued Martı TAG for unfair competition.
Martı TAG
Martı TAG defended its ride-sharing platform.
Outcome
Taxi chambers
The chambers’ lawsuit did not result in a ban on the service.
Martı TAG
The court ruled the service cannot be banned by a court.
Taxi chambers brought an unfair-competition lawsuit against Martı TAG.
The 14th Regional Court of Appeal ruled that Martı TAG could not be banned by a court.
Martı TAG founder Oğuz Alper Öktem welcomed the decision.
- Case length
- Four years
- Court
- 14th Regional Court of Appeal
- Claimants
- More than 10 taxi chambers
- Company
- Martı TAG
- Founder
- Oğuz Alper Öktem
3 sources
What people are saying
a commercial activity cannot be prohibited by a court decision in a way that results in a general ban
En başından beri hukuka ve haklılığımıza güvendik. Bugün verilen karar da bu güvenimizi haklı çıkardı.