Singer Zara to use name only on stage, court says after Spanish company's name rights suit

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet

The singer was known as 'Neşecik' as a child artist. She adopted the stage name Zara in 1998 before publishing her first album. Hürriyet photo

Turkish singer Zara should only use her name on stage related to her artistic activities, a court ruled, after the Spanish fashion giant of the same name sued her for name rights.

Before engaging in the court fight, the company applied to the Turkish Patent Institute, arguing that the singer was benefiting from its name. However, the patent watchdog refused the plea, stating that the domains in which the names were used were different.

The singer's lawyer had said during the trial that she chose her stage name in 1998, before Zara was widely known as a company in Turkey.

The singer Neşe Yılmaz, who is of Kurdish origin, published her first album in 1998 adopting the name Zara. Having performed on stage from a young age, she was known by the name "Neşecik" (little Neşe) as a child artist.

Ultimately, the Turkish Supreme Court refused the company's appeal against the decision, endorsing Zara's use of her stage name.