comply with all applicable laws, but the scope and interpretation of the laws that are or may be applicable to us is often uncertain and may conflict across jurisdictions. As we enter new businesses or introduce new lines of business, we may be subjected to ambiguous or broad laws and regulations which could adversely affect our operational costs.
For example, On February 3, 2023, Istanbul Otomobilciler Esnaf Odasi, an Istanbul-based association of taxi owners, filed a lawsuit before Istanbul 14th Commercial Court (the “Commercial Court”) against Marti regarding Marti’s (i) recently launched pilot ride-hailing service and (ii) e- moped services, on the basis that both services constitute unfair competition. The plaintiff also sought injunctive relief from the court preventing access of third parties to these services through Marti’s website or its mobile application.
There was an injunctive relief decision regarding the pilot ride-hailing service as of March 6, 2023 which Marti successfully appealed at the Commercial Court. The injunctive relief decision was removed as of June 20, 2023. As of the date of this prospectus, there was no injunctive relief in place for either of Marti’s pilot ride-hailing or e-moped services.
The judicial process before the Commercial Court is pending and, inclusive of any process before the Court of Objections, is estimated to last until the end of 2024, subject to any further delays. Currently, the pilot ride-hailing service does not generate any income for us, but our e-moped services generate income. If the Commercial Court ultimately accepts the plaintiff’s claims, we may be required to materially modify or cease the pilot ride-hailing service and/or our e-moped service. Such a decision would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and liquidity due to effects on e-moped services.
We are regularly subject to claims, lawsuits, government investigations, and other proceedings that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are regularly subject to claims, lawsuits, arbitration proceedings, government investigations, and other legal and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including those involving personal injury, property damage, worker classification, labor and employment, commercial disputes, competition, consumer complaints, compliance with regulatory requirements, and other matters, and we may become subject to additional types of claims, lawsuits, government investigations, and legal or regulatory proceedings as our business grows and as we deploy new products and services, including proceedings related to our acquisitions, securities issuances, or business practices.
For example, Marti has been investigated in the past, and we may be investigated in the future, by the Turkish Competition Authority (the “TCA”) to determine whether we hold a dominant position in the markets we serve and, if so, whether we have abused such a dominant position. If the TCA finds that we have abused a dominant position, we may be subject to an administrative fine up to 4.5% of the annual net revenue we earned in the fiscal year preceding the TCA’ s decision, as well as fines related to the procedural aspects of the TCA’s investigation. Depending on the nature of these matters, we may be subject to monetary damage awards, fines, penalties, or injunctive orders. Furthermore, the outcome of such investigations could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The results of any such claims, lawsuits, arbitration proceedings, government investigations, or other legal or regulatory proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, be harmful to our reputation, require significant management attention, and divert significant resources. Determining reserves for our pending litigation is a complex and fact-intensive process that requires significant subjective judgment and speculation. It is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in substantial damages, settlement costs, fines, and penalties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. These proceedings could also result in harm to our reputation and brand, sanctions, consent decrees, injunctions, or other orders requiring a change in our business practices. Any of these consequences could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Furthermore, under certain circumstances, we have contractual and other legal obligations to indemnify and to incur legal expenses on behalf of our business and commercial partners and current and former directors and officers.
A determination in, or settlement of, any legal proceeding, whether we are party to such legal proceeding or not, that involves our industry, could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The costs associated with an adverse outcome in that litigation, or in defending, settling, or resolving those proceedings, may be material to our business.