12.06.2026 10:10
A verdict has been reached in the compensation lawsuit filed by mathematics teacher Mustafa Güler against the digital streaming platform Netflix. The court ruled that Netflix must pay a total of 1 million 950 thousand lira in compensation for the unauthorized use of Güler's images.
The lawsuit filed by mathematics teacher Mustafa Güler, who claimed that Netflix used his images without permission in a promotional advertisement, has concluded. The court ruled for approximately 2 million liras in compensation.
Teacher Mustafa Güler, who initiated a legal battle after a student noticed the unauthorized use of his image, won the years-long case. It was stated that the compensation could exceed 4 million liras with interest.
Netflix will pay 1 million 950 thousand liras in compensation to mathematics teacher Mustafa Güler for copyright infringement. In the long-running case, the court ruled that Mustafa Güler's personality rights and rights related to image use were violated. The decision ordered Netflix to pay approximately 2 million liras in compensation for the material and moral damages suffered by Güler. Following the verdict, speaking to Ihlas News Agency (IHA), Güler expressed satisfaction with the rightful outcome of the legal struggle and stated that unauthorized use of individuals' images and works is unacceptable. It was also noted that due to the lengthy duration of the case, the compensation amount could approach 4 million liras with interest.
"THEY USED ONE OF MY CONTENTS IN A SERIES PROMOTIONAL AD"
Güler, who realized that Netflix had used his content without permission thanks to a student's observation, said, "They took one of my contents, cropped it, and played it in a series promotional ad. A student saw it and sent me the link. They said, 'Teacher, Netflix has shared you.' I said, 'That's impossible.' Because they claim, 'We are the company that values copyright the most in the world.' Then I saw that they had indeed used my video. Using me in a promotional ad for a series whose content I don't know, and maybe would never have allowed if I knew, did not sit well with me. I immediately called my lawyer. We started the legal process right away."
"A CONTENT CREATOR'S CONTENT CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION"
Güler, stating that he never gave up on the case he believed was right and eventually won, said, "I already knew the case would end this way. I was determined. I never abandoned my case. I hope this sets a good example for all content creators. Because it was an important decision for defending the rights of those who put in effort. I am happy and proud. Netflix did not say anything to me. I would have expected an apology. They had no reaction. Actually, we couldn't find a contact point in Turkey initially. Other social media companies have offices. The amount I received is approximately 1 million 950 thousand liras. With interest, I estimate it will probably exceed 4 million liras. Our goal was not money. Our goal was this rightful case. Whether Netflix or another company, they cannot take a content creator's content and play it in a promotional ad. My case was only about that, and we won our rightful case."
EXPERT REPORT REVEALED THE VIOLATION
Mustafa Güler's lawyer, Ömer Uğur Yanar, also expressed hope that the decision would set a precedent for those who suffer from copyright issues. Yanar said, "When our teacher contacted us, he reported a violation regarding a lesson video he had shared on social media. We had a notary public make a determination with our teacher. As part of the lawsuit, a 5-member expert panel was formed. The panel made comprehensive findings regarding the violation and compensation. In the final hearing, the court ordered the defendant company to pay approximately 4 million 138 thousand liras, including material and moral damages and interest. We hope that this decision will serve as a precedent for everyone, especially our teacher, who experiences issues with copyright."