Intellectual Property: Finland

THE FIRM This top-flight IP practice continues to enjoy an excellent reputation for copyright and patent litigation. The large team specialises in providing assistance to generic pharmaceutical companies such as ratiopharm and Teva in patent disputes, and recently successfully represented Actavis Group in injunction proceedings against H. Lundbeck. It is equally experienced in providing support to clients from the publishing, food and beverages and media sectors. Recent work includes advising and representing Pernod Ricard on trade mark, regulatory and administrative procedures.

Sources say: "It's a reliable, commercial and accurate team with good litigation skills." "The partners have a flexible approach and respond quickly." "It's good at strategy, tactics and assessing risk."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients describe Lasse Laaksonen as "tenacious, streetwise and extremely creative." He handles both contentious and non-contentious IP issues, winning praise for his availability and responsiveness, as well as his tactical thinking. "He's quite masterful in his strategies," a client reports, adding: "I've worked closely with lawyers across Europe and he's one of the best." Sources universally commend head of IP litigation Ben Rapinoja for his commercial instincts. He specialises in pharmaceutical patent litigation, but also handles IP-related matters for technology companies. Pekka Tarkela leads the IP rights and technology practice at the firm and is commended for his extensive experience in this area. He regularly advises on IP rights, along with IT and media issues. He has also acted as a Finnish government representative in the EU and other international organisations, such as the WTO. Respondents continue to acknowledge Seppo Kemppinen as a top figure in the IP market. He focuses on legal questions relating to foundations and associations, and has held various positions in the Finnish Bar Association and other professional organisations

THE FIRM This established firm has a strong trade marks focus and acts for a number of high-profile international clients. The team successfully represented Crocs and adidas in trade mark infringement cases and is currently retained by Sony Music Entertainment Finland in a high-profile copyright and trade mark rights infringement case. It is also particularly experienced in anti-counterfeiting measures.

Sources say: "The team is proactive, reliable and friendly." "I would recommend it for anything relating to patents and trade marks."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients view Kukka Tommila as "pragmatic, easy to deal with and a good discussion partner," and value her broad experience and up-to-date knowledge of IP rights matters. "It's easy to find the way forward when you work with her," interviewees say. She currently represents various prominent domestic companies in trade mark disputes in the Helsinki District Court. Sources recommend Hanna-Maija Elo for her trade marks and anti-counterfeiting expertise; she currently advises Crocs on trade mark and design infringement issues. Markku Varhela specialises in marketing and copyright law and is currently working on the copyright aspects of the Sony Music Entertainment Finland case concerning Hevisaurus. Marja Tommila is an authority on industrial property rights and marketing law, and successfully represented the patent holder in a recent infringement case.

THE FIRM This sizeable and highly regarded firm distinguishes itself with a broad IP practice that encompasses litigation, transactions, licensing agreements, patents, copyrights and trade marks. It continues to be active in the pharmaceutical sector and represents a prominent cast of international clients such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer in litigation. The team also advises Nokia on matters such as trade marks, patents, anti-counterfeiting measures and licensing.

Sources say: "Outstanding, but also approachable and easy to get along with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Rainer Hilli recently became managing partner at Roschier and has for a time been at the vanguard of developments in the IP field. Clients appreciate his wealth of experience in patent litigation. "He's the number-one litigator in this field in Finland, and he can even litigate in several languages," note clients. A peer commented that "he is good at attracting clients and making the practice strong." Observers highlight new partner Mikko Manner's strengths in IT advisory and transactional mandates. "He's number one for open-source matters," according to a client. Manner acted for major client Nokia in a range of IP and IT transactional issues. Eva Nordman-Rajaharju is a well-regarded patent litigator and recently represented a client in preliminary injunction cases against generic pharmaceutical companies. Mikael Segercrantz was recently promoted to partner and handles litigation, trade marks, pharmaceutical regulatory issues and unfair marketing law. Clients pick out senior associate Johanna Lilja as a rising star in the department: "She's analytical, but also business-minded - a winning combination."

THE FIRM This boutique firm has a strong reputation for patent and trade mark litigation and assists both domestic and international companies in this area. Its team is appreciated for its broad experience in the IP field.

Sources say: "One of the go-to firms in Finland for IP."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Backström regularly represents generic pharmaceutical companies and is highly commended for his expertise and broad experience on IP matters. Observers note that Petri Eskola is increasingly visible on the market and recognise his talents in IP and competition law.

THE FIRM This well-regarded firm has a strong IT focus and much of its IP work derives from this sector. The team counts a number of high-profile international technology companies such as Plusdial and Nokia among its clients and provides a broad range of IP services, including trade marks, copyrights, trade secrets and franchising matters. It continues to assist Janssen-Cilag in its pan-European patent infringement case and represented Metso in patent and IP litigation in the forestry industry.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Petri Rinkinen is considered one of the team's greatest assets. Clients appreciate his in-depth expertise in franchising and design infringements, as well as his availability and commercially strong approach: "He's always service-minded and easy to get hold of." Hanna Paloheimo has a strong life sciences focus and is currently working on the Janssen-Cilag patent infringement case. Kimmo Rekola is best known for his IT and private equity work but handles a variety of IP mandates related to the technology sector. Peers see him as a key name in the field of general licensing.

THE FIRM This compact practice is active in patents, trade marks and marketing law and is best known for representing clients from the IT, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and publishing industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees consider Esa Korkeamäki a highly skilled IP practitioner. He handles a variety of IP issues, but particularly focuses on IP rights protection, licensing and dispute resolution.

THE FIRM The IP department at the Helsinki branch of this international firm continues to grow. The firm as a whole is well known for its technology focus and many of the group's IP cases relate to this area. The team also represents many pharmaceutical companies. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers describe department head Ella Mikkola as a "quick, sharp lawyer" and commend her abilities and experience in this area. She is a highly regarded IP practitioner and has broad experience of advising Scandinavian multinationals. 

THE FIRM Transactional work comprises a large part of this firm's IP practice. The group recently advised long-standing client Fonecta on its EUR10.9 million acquisition of Eniro. Other areas of activity for the team include trade mark prosecution, trade secrets and licensing. It also successfully represented Fonecta in a domain name dispute with a competitor.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Markus Mattila heads the team and has a reputation as an able lawyer.

THE FIRM This Nordic giant continues to be active in IP litigation and recently represented the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac against a Finnish manufacturer of brandy in the ECJ. The team also successfully represented Volvo in two trade mark infringement cases. Its prestigious domestic and international clients come from a range of sectors, including the media and manufacturing industries, but it is particularly active on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. The firm acts for clients such as Microsoft, Sanoma and Sanofi and is known for its M&A-related experience.

Sources say: "A team of smooth operators. When I had a query they responded immediately." "I know if I rely on the firm I don't need to worry."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources praise Panu Siitonen for being "extremely business-oriented and talented," and for his ability to quickly identify the crux of a problem. He heads the firm's IP litigation team and recently represented a DVD player manufacturer against a competitor in patent infringement litigation.

THE FIRM Sources report that this compact team has broadened and developed its IP rights practice with new hires. It recently acted for fashion group Ivana Helsinki on its high-profile trade mark dispute with US celebrity Ivana Trump. Other prominent clients include Rautaruukki and Abloy.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Arto Hakkarainen is known for his strength in IT-related projects and recently assisted the University of Helsinki in drafting technology transfer agreements. New head of IP Tuukka Airaksinen joined the firm in March 2011. Sources note his background in trade mark litigation and praise his straightforward approach. "He gets down to the nitty-gritty of a case very quickly," clients say.

THE FIRM This firm's IP practice has a strong reputation for software protection, but also advises on marketing, advertising and copyright issues. Clients are drawn from across the media and entertainment sectors.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tapio Susiluoto heads this compact practice and commands a wealth of experience and knowledge of IP litigation. He is particularly well known for his work with international technology companies.