Intellectual Property: Finland

This firm is held in high esteem for its dexterity in IP matters. Interviewees praise the group’s strong trademark practice and experienced lawyers. Several of the lawyers are former members of the highly-reputed IP boutique Heinonen & Co, and have long-standing experience in the field. Peers name Marja Tommila as the firm’s leading figure. “She is very highly appreciated and has been around in the market for a very long time,” sources confirm. Markku Varhela is recognised for his expertise in media-related matters and often assists his clients with copyrights cases. Hanna-Maija Elo specialises in counterfeit issues. Kukka Tommila is particularly proficient in trade mark cases. The team advises both domestic and international companies on a wide variety of IP protection and infringement cases and has acted on many landmark assignments. Its extensive client portfolio includes adidas International Marketing, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Alma Media and Rapala VMC.

This team is particularly active in patent litigation. Its strength in contentious matters has served it well in a market where transactions have been less frequent than in previous years. It regularly advises many leading market players such as Actavis, Fazer Group, Teosto, Valio and Digi TV Plus. The group recently represented Ratiopharm in a major patent litigation. It also advised Bayer AG and Bayer Oy on a landmark case concerning packaging imitation. Clients appreciate the lawyers’“pragmatic approach, down-to-earth solutions that are easy to put in practice, and lack of unnecessary, long theoretical descriptions.” Pekka Tarkela oversees the practice and is famed for his expertise in copyright and patent questions. Seppo Kemppinen is highly regarded for his long career in the country’s IP sector and is admired for his proficiency in patent work. Ben Rapinoja is an experienced litigator and has earned a reputation as a renowned figure in the market. Commentators recognise Kristiina Harenko for her strong background in copyrights matters. The team’s emerging specialists Lasse Laaksonen and Samuli Simojoki frequently work on both IT and IP assignments.

This group is famous for its strength in IP. Its team is the country's largest and advises significant clients such as Pfizer, The LEGO Group and Nokia on the entire range of IP matters. The lawyers are admired for their dexterity in patent litigation and for consistently acting on the market's most important cases. The team’s recent work highlights include representing various pharmaceutical companies litigation. Rainer Hilli supervises the practice and is praised for his prowess in patent work: “He is one of the best in Finland and the first who comes to mind.” Mikko Manner has knowledge in both IP and IT sectors and is applauded for his skill in open source and copyright questions. Niklas Östman is also singled out for his background at Nokia as well as for his ability to act on complex international assignments. Although IP law is not her core focus, Eva Nordman-Rajaharju has gained prominence for her skill in patent litigation. Clients praise the team, saying: “We are extremely impressed by the lawyers' work. They are very proactive, work around the clock and have a good style in the courtroom.”

This boutique firm is at its strongest in IP and is highly reputed in the market. Its lawyers advise international and local clients on a wide selection of matters, and are applauded for their prowess in both patent litigation and trade mark issues. The team is led by Peter Backström and endorsed for its pragmatic and straightforward style. Backström is one of the country’s most experienced IP professionals. Petri Eskola is also highly regarded for his expertise in this area and long-standing position in the market.

The firm is noted for its mastery of technology matters and flourishing IP department. Sources praise Ella Mikkola for her success developing the practice since joining the firm in 2008. Mikkola specialises in a broad variety of IP and life science matters, and is applauded for her depth of experience in this area. Her team advises international and Finnish clients, and has undertaken an increasing amount of work for pharmaceutical companies. The group acted for Nokia Tyres in a dispute over the trade mark Hakkapeliitta. Regular work also includes representing clients in large patent litigation proceedings.

Members of this team have recently acted on large IP disputes and licensing questions. Many of the assignments have cross-border elements. In one multi-jurisdictional mandate, the team advised Janssen-Cilag on Finnish aspects of a European-wide patent infringement case. Its active clients include significant companies such as Google, Henkel, Metso and Nokia. Petri Rinkinen is an experienced litigator and specialises in franchising matters. Clients thank Rinkinen for his expertise in patent work as well as his excellent communication and negotiation skills. Jan Lindberg has expertise in both the IP and IT fields and frequently advises pharmaceutical companies. Kimmo Rekola is best known for his strong specialisation in technology matters, yet he also plays a key role in the firm's IP team. Hanna Paloheimo does a lot of work in the life science sector and is recognised for her skills in patent litigation.

This niche firm is reputed for its in-depth expertise in IP. Dispute resolution comprises a predominant share of the firm’s IP work, and the group often litigates for clients in the pharmaceutical sector. Esa Korkeamäki leads the team and has recently acted on a number of complex patent litigation cases. He is also known for his copyright and trade mark work for advertisement agencies. According to interviewees, Korkeamäki “is an expert and has the broad knowledge to act on all types of IP cases.”

This large firm's clientele consists of many market-leading companies. Recent highlights include assisting Crocs with the protection of its products and the registration of a 3D trade mark. Further key mandates include assisting Marimekko with a major trade mark dispute. The team does also a lot of work for international pharmaceutical companies. Panu Siitonen is singled out as a promising IP lawyer.

Dispute resolution comprises an important part of this firm’s IP work. The majority of its contentious instructions are in relation to trade marks and domain names. The combined technology and IP group has many important Finnish clients and regularly advises DNA and University Pharmacy on a number of IP matters. Arto Hakkarainen leads the team and has a strong track record in patent and trade mark litigation.

This small outfit is well regarded for its comprehensive knowledge of copyright issues. The lawyers are noted for their skill in litigation and also have expertise in computer software and database copyright, as well as on protection of industrial rights. Tapio Susiluoto supervises the practice and is famed for his work for Business Software Alliance companies.