Tomi Salter and Jerry Härkönen have demonstrated exceptional expertise and dedication in the field of IP rights and they have been awarded as Rising Stars 2023 in MIP Stars. Their contributions and accomplishments have brought valuable expertise and innovative solutions to the field, and they have shown that they are future IP stars in this industry.
Tomi Salter, with his extensive experience in patents has played a key role in many significant intellectual property projects. His deep knowledge and ability to find creative solutions have made him a sought-after professional in the field.
Jerry Härkönen, on the other hand, is renowned for his excellent work in trademark law. His precision and diligence have been crucial in many successful intellectual property cases. His ability to combine precision and creativity makes him a unique force in the field.
The recognition of being nominated IP Rising Stars for 2023 is well-deserved for Tomi Salter and Jerry Härkönen. This award is not only a testament to their individual achievements but also a recognition of their teamwork, hard work, and commitment to protecting and advancing intellectual property rights.
Boco IP is thrilled to announce that we have been honored with the prestigious Gold Award (Best in Nordics) by Leaders League, a global organization recognizing excellence and best intellectual property departments and advisors in Europe yearly.
This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering top-tier intellectual property services to our clients. It is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team and reaffirms our position as a trusted leader in the industry.
We take pride in our team of experts who consistently demonstrate deep knowledge and innovative solutions in the field of intellectual property. Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. This award recognizes our focus on providing tailored solutions to meet their unique needs.
Boco IP has always strived to set industry benchmarks. We are honored to have our efforts acknowledged with the Gold Award. This award highlights our international presence and our ability to serve clients across borders. We remain committed to continuous improvement and staying at the forefront of intellectual property practices.
At Boco IP, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners, and the dedicated personnel. Your trust and support have been instrumental in achieving this significant milestone.
We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence in the intellectual property sector, setting new standards, and delivering exceptional value to our clients.
How was the survey made?
Approximately 80 jury members consisting of IP Directors and Counsellors, and experts from the IP field voted. These jury members decided the winners per category. The decision process was confidential and based on the judges’ experience and market knowledge about IP. All the nominees provided information through the extensive application forms.
Boco IP is a leading intellectual property firm known for its excellence in providing innovative and tailored solutions to clients around the world. With a team of experts in various fields of intellectual property, Boco IP is dedicated to safeguarding and optimizing our clients’ intellectual assets.
European Patent Attorney Sini-Maaria Mikkilä has been appointed as the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Boco IP. Sini-Maaria has a long and esteemed career in the field of intellectual property, along with strong expertise in process development and quality management. She has successfully worked on numerous high-profile patent cases and provided guidance to a wide clientele in national and international patent matters. Her diverse skills and dedicated commitment to client success have established her as a trusted and respected expert in the field.
In addition to her role as a European Patent Attorney, Sini-Maaria will continue to serve as an integral part of both the business development team and the board of directors at Boco IP. Her previous experience at Nokia as a quality engineer and project manager provides valuable insights for developing Boco IP’s operations and identifying customer needs.
Sini-Maaria’s role as Chief Strategy Officer involves shaping and executing Boco IP’s strategic planning. Boco IP prides itself on delivering top-notch services with a positive atmosphere, and achieving excellence requires the best experts along with efficient and functional processes. As technology advances, it’s essential to recognize opportunities brought by artificial intelligence and other developments while staying true to the core of expertise-based operations. Together with the business development team, Sini-Maaria will identify new business opportunities and strengthen Boco IP’s leading position.
Boco IP is a premier company specializing in intellectual property, offering comprehensive services to clients nationally and internationally. The company’s mission is to assist clients in strategically and effectively protecting and leveraging their intellectual property. Sini-Maaria’s appointment as Chief Strategy Officer underscores Boco IP’s dedication to client success and advances the company’s vision of providing the best customer experience.
Boco IP has been awarded the prestigious gold category in the IAM Patent 1000rankings. This recognition underscores Boco IP’s outstanding expertise and success in the field of patent prosecution. The IAM Patent 1000 rankings are highly regarded within the intellectual property community, and Boco IP’s position in the gold category highlights our commitment to delivering exceptional patent services to our clients.
In addition to seven earlier listed recommended individuals, Thomas Carlsson and Tomi Salter make their debut in the guide this year.
The IAM Patent 1000 is an annual publication that recognizes and ranks leading patent law firms and practitioners worldwide. These rankings are based on extensive research, including interviews with clients and peers, to assess the capabilities and expertise of various firms and individuals in handling patent prosecution matters.
Boco IP’s inclusion in the gold category is a testament to our excellence and the high level of satisfaction among our clients. The gold award signifies Boco IP’s exceptional skills, deep industry knowledge, and ability to provide outstanding service in patent prosecution.
According to IAM Patent 1000, 2023:
“Managing director and head of chemistry, Karri Leskinen is favoured among those in the fields of pharmaceuticals, food and processing industries, and polymer technologies. Chairman of the board Jonna Sahlin provides secure IP protection strategies paired with commercial sensibilities for a roster of prestige clients in the chemistry-related sectors. Patrons admire Sahlin for her ability to break down complex technical matters in a clear and concise manner before the Finnish and European patent offices. Boasting profound knowledge in the life sciences, Jaana Hämäläinen is enlisted by those in biotechnology, chemistry and plant biology-related sectors to handle matters domestically and internationally.
On the mechanics front are Sini-Maaria Mikkilä and Christian Westerholm. Mikkilä provides comprehensive protection of inventions related to automation technology, both locally and internationally, while Westerholm handles opposition proceedings before the Finnish and European patent offices on behalf of those in the mechanical engineering field. Drawing on two decades of IP experience, Marja Liisa Autti is called on by players in the computer-implemented inventions and the medical appliances spaces. With a background in applied electronics and bioelectronics, she has mastered the ability to translate complex technical matters into digestible advice.
Also instilling confidence is, physicist Anu Keinänen, who used to practice in IT, micro- and nanotechnology. Thomas Carlsson and Tomi Salter make their debut in the guide this year. A specialist in small devices and complex systems ranging from microtechnology to electrochemistry, Carlsson has applied his expertise to write a book on best patent drafting practices. Salter’s extensive technical background in mechanical and industrial engineering, as well as his product development and industrial management experience, proves vital for clientele in a wide range of industries, including mining, manufacturing and marine technology. ”
Boco IP gold category in IAM Patent 1000 2023
Boco IP’s gold category position in the IAM Patent 1000 rankings serves as a testament to our exceptional skills, dedication, and commitment to excellence in patent prosecution. This well-deserved recognition highlights our industry-leading expertise and the level of satisfaction among our clients. Boco IP’s continued success in securing valuable patent rights for our clients demonstrates our ability to navigate complex legal landscapes while delivering outstanding results. As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, Boco IP further solidifies its position as a trusted and esteemed player in the field of patent law.
This achievement highlights our professionals’ exceptional dedication and expertise in the field of trademark and patent law. We are honored to be acknowledged by the publication and are proud to provide our clients with outstanding trademark and patent services.
This recognition serves as a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovative strategies, and client satisfaction. Our team of experienced trademark and patent professionals has consistently demonstrated their knowledge and skill in navigating complex trademark matters and protecting our clients’ valuable intellectual property assets.
We extend our gratitude to WIPR for this prestigious honor and to our clients for their trust and support. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide top-tier trademark and patent services and look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional results.
What is WIPR Leaders directory list?
“WIPR Leaders is a one-stop guide to the leading IP practitioners in the world. The handbook lists over 2,500 lawyers across patent, trademark, and copyright practices. Following an extensive nomination period, our research team vetted the nominated lawyers for suitability by exploring their work. This meant looking at practice history, industry expertise and notable cases, as well as any additional activities, such as writing and teaching responsibilities, which have allowed the lawyers to shape and influence other and future IP practitioners.”
We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious “Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year” EMEA award in London. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction in IP.
Boco IP one of the winners.
Karri Leskinen and Jonna Sahlin who were present in the award ceremony commented that “We are incredibly proud of our dedicated team of 35 highly skilled professionals who have consistently gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional results for our clients. Their expertise, diligence, and strategic approach have played a pivotal role in securing this esteemed honor.”
This achievement reaffirms our position as a leader in patent prosecution and highlights our ability to navigate complex IP landscapes, provide comprehensive solutions, and protect our clients’ intellectual property rights with the utmost diligence and effectiveness.
Karri and Jonna stated also that “we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed clients for their trust and unwavering support. It is their partnership and collaboration that has enabled us to achieve this milestone and reinforce our standing as a trusted advisor in the field of intellectual property.
We also extend our gratitude to the esteemed panel of judges and the Managing IP for recognizing our commitment to excellence and bestowing this prestigious honor upon us. This recognition serves as a motivation for us to continue raising the bar and delivering unparalleled service to our clients.”
Boco IP’s Chairman of the Board Mrs Jonna Sahlin and Boco IP’s Managing Director Mr Karri Leskinen were present at the gala.
Dupes are legal and openly marketed as alternative options to the original products, often at a lower price. They are intended to provide a similar experience or aesthetic appeal at a more affordable price. Manufacturers of dupes typically market their products openly as alternatives or “inspired by” certain brands or products. They do not claim to be the original products and often have their own branding or labeling to avoid confusion. This means that they are legitimate products, as long as they do not infringe on any copyright, trademark, or patent rights of the original products.
Counterfeits are unauthorized replicas or copies of branded products which are produced with the intent to deceive consumers into believing they are purchasing genuine items. Counterfeit products are designed to mimic the appearance, logos, trademarks, and packaging of the original products, aiming to pass off as authentic. Counterfeits are illegal, since they involve unauthorized copying or replication of protected intellectual property, including trademarks, logos, and copyrights. Producing, selling, or purchasing counterfeit products can result in legal penalties.
Unfortunately, not many people understand the difference between look-alike dupes and illegal counterfeits.
In recent years content around dupes has surged especially on TikTok: The hashtag #dupe has now gained more than 3 billion views on the app. A lot of bloggers and influencers are actively promoting copycats – both dupes and counterfeits. Finding dupes has escalated into one of the most popular trends in 2023 and TikTok functions as an effective dupes search engine.
Why dupes?
The reasoning behind dupes is that anyone can climb the social hierarchy of popular designer items by taking a shortcut with a dupe. The attraction of a product dupe is to get a desired look for less, and also to spread the details of the made purchase. The aim of a dupe is to recreate the product or look as closely as possible, but at a significantly lower cost.
Non-branded goods, be it clothing, accessories or cosmetics, have long been seen as a definite no-no. While cheaper brands have always existed side by side with designer and branded products, especially in the fashion scene, dupes have never been so openly worn before. It has become an achievement and especially cool among young people born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s, to find and share the dupes of expensive designer goods. And TikTok is the platform to share all those dupes on with likeminded people. The platform has become a hub for trends and viral challenges. Just about any content where you present alternatives to desired designer items seem to gather views on TikTok. Gen Z has realized that presenting dupes is a successful way to create content.
The format of TikTok, with its short and engaging videos, makes it easy for creators to quickly showcase and explain dupes in an accessible and entertaining way. As a result, TikTok has become a go-to platform for users seeking budget-friendly alternatives and hacks, and the platform has greatly contributed to the rise of the dupes culture.
It is understandable that the dupes trend has become so attractive among the most active TikTok users who range from Gen Z to millennials. These age groups are focused on continuously giving out a perfect image on social media, and a person’s outer appearance and style has become a significant trait. These generations are tirelessly following fashion trends, but do not necessarily have the income to buy original designer goods or high-end brands. Their affordability makes dupes attractive to consumers who want to achieve a similar look or experience without paying a premium price. Dupes often emerge in response to popular trends or cult-favorite products. As consumers become interested in a particular item, demand for more affordable alternatives naturally arises. Dupes are accessible to everyone, irrespective of social standing or budget.
Dodgy dupes
Even if the popularity of dupes has soared, there are undoubtedly challenges related to the dupes culture. Fashion and appearance trends are constantly changing, and retailers, e-commerce marketplaces and fast fashion sites such as Shein, Amazon, DHGate, AliExpress and Taobao are more than happy to offer cheap low-quality goods to satiate this endless need. Unfortunately, without meeting environmental or social standards. The party to gain most from the dupes is the fast fashion industry. It is well-known for its lack of environmental and social responsibility.
As we cannot buy high-end versions of every fashion or cosmetics trend, consumers turn to cheaper, less reputable brands. In doing so, we forget all our original principles about product quality and design to stay on top of trends and present the perfect online image of ourselves.
Content creators and influencers get more views and followers when they are continuously presenting new and desired styles. It seems that in spite of the received criticism for the impact on the environment and the allegations of mistreatment of workers, fast fashion sales and the number of views are ever increasing. Dupes promote this toxic culture.
In a dupes culture, there is a diminished emphasis on originality and innovation. When people prioritize duplicating existing ideas or content, it stifles creativity and limits the development of new and unique contributions. A dupes culture may also inhibit progress by discouraging individuals from exploring new possibilities and instead favoring replication of what already exists. When duplication is ranked higher than originality, it leads to a proliferation of low-quality imitations. Focusing on quantity rather than quality can result in a lack of diversity and a homogenization of ideas and products. If duplication is encouraged and even celebrated, the efforts of individuals who have invested time and effort into developing and designing unique products become undervalued.
It has been said that unlike other creative sectors, there are rarely legal consequences for copying a design. If dupes are not technically counterfeits, should brands even be concerned? An increasing number of young content creators on various social networks are promoting not only acceptable dupes, but blatantly counterfeit goods and the videos “unboxing” these goods get millions of views. This way influencers shape the perception of dupes and counterfeits as being trendy, sassy and not at all harmful.
Plagiarism and varying degrees of intellectual property violations are indisputably consequences associated with dupes. If people are encouraged to copy or reproduce without proper authorization, it undermines the rights of creators and can definitely have legal consequences. Even if all dupes are not directly illegal, they can be at least morally dubious and have an impact on the original brands in the form of financial losses.
Ways to overcome problems associated with dupes
One way to overcome the problem with dupes is to increase public awareness about the negative consequences of dupes and to encourage consumers to make informed choices. We have to educate consumers about the importance of supporting original designs, the value of craftsmanship, and the impact of infringing products on each industry sector and its workers. We must shift people’s attention and make it attractive to both design and use quality goods. A recent article stated that the number of clothing items that it would be environmentally sustainable to purchase, is 5 items a year. This number should be something for all of us to strive to achieve.
Further, we should make it socially acceptable to support a version of dupes that just takes inspiration from a certain design without copying it directly. Enabling collaboration between designers, brands and manufacturers to create affordable fashion and other product lines for a wider range of consumers, would also help to bridge the gap between design items and affordable options. Especially fashion brands need to adopt ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices and to promote transparencyor risk fake products becoming even more trendy among the younger generations.
We should also strengthen intellectual property legislation and enforcement practices to protect original creations. Encouraging designers and fashion brands to actively register their trademarks and copyrights whenever possible, would make it easier to identify and take legal action against infringing products.
Laura Roselius is a Partner and IP Lawyer at Boco IP Oy Ab
Trademark monitoring may feel painstaking or even impossible. That’s why tools have been developed for continuous trademark monitoring, which are available to our customers with every new filed trademark application.
A registered trademark provides strong protection to the trademark owner for the goods and services (such as clothing, confectionery, or entertainment services) within the geographical area where the trademark is registered. Trademarks are often linked to economic interests as long-term use of a trademark can create significant monetary value to the mark. However, registration itself does not prevent others from infringing or otherwise exploiting a registered trademark.
National authorities in many countries cite previously registered identical and similar trademarks as obstacles when examining new applications. On the other hand, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which examines and manages EU trademarks, does not automatically monitor the rights of owner of previous marks. The EUIPO does not take a position on how the previous trademark owner should act if a third party applies for an identical EU trademark. Instead, the trademark owners are responsible for monitoring and systematically defending their registered trademarks against third parties.
Manual monitoring of the EU register is very arduous. For example, in 2020, the EU agency received a total of approximately 180,000 trademark applications. In addition to the EU trademark register, it is advisable to monitor the national trademark registers of all 27 EU member states, as similar marks can also appear in the national registers of the member states. Manual trademark monitoring is practically impossible.
Tools for Trademark Monitoring
Effective tools are needed for trademark monitoring, which is why we offer our monitoring service to all our domestic clients with every new trademark application. Our monitoring focuses on the trademark registers of the countries where the application is pending and where the mark is registered. The purpose of the monitoring is to check if any third parties are seeking protection for identical or similar marks in the same geographical area. The first year of monitoring is free of charge. During this time, the clients can get an idea of the competitive landscape of their own mark and can then determine how actively they need to address third-party registrations.
In our monitoring service, we find trademark applications which are identical or similar to our client’s’ marks in the same goods and service classes. The monitoring is directed at the trademark registers of the various countries where the client’s trademark has been protected. Two of our trademark attorneys review and assess these findings on a daily basis. We only report significant findings, such as identical or nearly identical marks in key market areas. Although there may be numerous matches, it may not be necessary to react to all of them. It is advisable to develop a clear and systematic strategy for monitoring your marks. We assist in creating the plan and report only the most relevant hits.
The trademark monitoring service also includes providing the customer with recommendations on how to proceed as regards any detected problematic marks. There is no universally applicable recommendation, as each case is considered individually to determine whether it is worth addressing a certain located mark. Factors affecting the assessment include the geographical coverage of the detected mark, the goods or services it covers, and the nature of the mark.
Negotiated solutions
Through systematic and continuous monitoring, we enable timely evaluation together with the customer to determine which findings require action, such as oppositions or negotiations between the parties. When a similar mark is found, and wehave decided to take action against that mark together with the customer, we often start with a warning letter or approach the other party with a negotiation request. Negotiations often lead to amicable settlement solutions. However, sometimes filing an opposition is the only appropriate solution, and in some cases, filing an opposition or at least threatening to do so, can also expedite negotiations. Occasionally, an opposition is filed for precautionary reasons to protect the client’s own rights while continuing negotiations outside the opposition proceedings.
It is worthwhile to monitor and defend your own trademark
If a trademark proprietor does not react in any way to a located identical trademark application, for instance not filing an opposition may be interpreted as a silent acceptance of the new trademark. In case of a direct competitor, we always recommend at least a warning letter, where the applicant is requested to limit or withdraw his application in its entirety. Otherwise, there is a risk that the space of your own mark is narrowed when another other party takes advantage of your well-known brand. Reacting by sending a warning letter is a very light process compared to getting the competitor to abandon an already registered and launched trademark. The competitor may have made significant marketing investments in his mark, which add to his reluctance to abandon the trademark.
By monitoring and defending your own trademark you make sure that all the recognition is tied to your brand and that all the benefits of your made investments end up in your own pocket. Generally, a systematic monitoring is always recommended, so that the trademark proprietor gets information about identical and similar trademarks in time and may then decide whether a certain hit is one that requires actions. A determined defense of your rights is always worth it, so that no one else gets to take advantage of the trademark you have protected and the reputation and goodwill that it has accumulated.
The author is an IP lawyer and a partner at Boco IP. She handles European, domestic, and international trademark applications and design rights matters, as well as conducts trademark and trade name searches. Laura is also involved in developing clients’ trademark protection strategies and provides consultation in cases of product counterfeiting. Additionally, she drafts agreements related to trademarks and intellectual property rights (IPR) matters.
We are thrilled to announce Boco IP’s Chairman of the Board, European Patent Attorney Jonna Sahlin has been named on the “Top 250 Women in IP” 2023 list by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP). This publication recognizes senior female IP practitioners in private practice who have performed exceptionally for their clients and firms in the past year and Jonna is one of only three practitioners to be recognized in Finland this year.
According to MIP’s IP stars: “the practitioners recognised in the “Top 250 Women in IP” publication are selected from MIP’s IP Stars list for the year. When deciding who to select for the Top 250 Women in IP publication, their research analysts took account of all the available research information, especially data from firm questionnaire and surveys, obtained for the IP STARS rankings and Managing IP Awards programme. ”
Boco IP is one of the oldest firms in Finland to specialize in the management of intellectual property. Since 1928, Boco IP has been assisting clients with intellectual property rights. With a team of experienced professionals and a global network of partners, Boco IP provides comprehensive IP solutions tailored to the clients’ unique needs.
We are thrilled to announce that Boco IP has been shortlisted for the prestigious “Top Intellectual Property Firm of the Year” award by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) in their annual awards program. Boco IP was shortlisted in the patent prosecution and trademark prosecution categories (Finland).
MIP recognizes excellence in the IP industry and celebrates the achievements of outstanding firms and professionals. Being shortlisted for this esteemed award is a testament to Boco IP’s exceptional expertise, innovative approach, and commitment to delivering high-quality services to our clients.
This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of our talented team of IP professionals who consistently strive for excellence in protecting and maximizing the value of our clients’ intellectual property assets. Our innovative strategies, client-centric approach, and successful track record in handling complex IP matters have contributed to our strong reputation in the industry.
The winners will be announced at the MIP Awards ceremony, which will take place on June 21st, London, UK. This event brings together industry leaders, legal professionals, and IP experts from around the world to celebrate the achievements of the most outstanding firms and individuals in the IP field.
We would like to extend our gratitude to our valued clients for their trust and support, as well as to our dedicated team whose expertise and hard work have made this recognition possible.
We look forward to the awards ceremony and the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in the IP community. Our commitment to delivering exceptional IP services remains unwavering as we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of intellectual property.
