The prestigious Financial Times ranking Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms was published on June 12. We are proud to announce that Boco IP has been listed for the first time ever, marking a significant milestone in our journey and a testament to the trust our clients place in us.
This recognition highlights the expertise and dedication of our team in providing high-quality patent law services across Europe. We are honored to be included among the leading firms in the field.
Now that my heart rate has finally slowed down a bit from all the networking and the jetlag from the long travel is slowly fading away, it’s a good time to wrap up the key takeaways from the INTA (International Trademark Association) 2025 annual conference, hosted this year in San Diego.
The roots of the annual trademark professionals’ meeting date back all the way to the 19th century so it’s safe to say it has cemented its status as the yearly place to be for anybody working in the trademark sector. Naturally, the infamous covid-years took a toll on this event, as well, but at least now the glory days are back since this year, the conference gathered around 10 000 participants from all around the world. Just from this number, it should be clear that we are not talking about any small closed-circle happening, either, but rather about a unique once-in-a-year chance to meet colleagues from all around the world in one place. As trademarking practices are generally growing more and more international each year, such a chance shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“Well, what are the benefits for travelling to the other side of the world and is it worth it?”- you might ask. To answer this, I’ve listed a few main takeaways from my perspective:
Firstly, it has to be said that not all participants are alike, and agendas differ for different companies depending on where their focus of business lies. For some, the majority of work comes from bigger national clients who operate quite locally, so the agenda for a meeting like this might be to meet with direct representatives of the clients whereas for more internationally focused companies the agenda often revolves more around meeting foreign representatives from different IPR-agencies, making new connections or strengthening the existing ones.
The case for Boco is closer to the latter one and our main focus, for example, has been on networking – ensuring that we truly know the people we work with and that we have the necessary network around the world to meet our clients’ diverse needs. Especially in modern day, it can be difficult to distinguish “fakes” from genuine professionals as especially with the help of modern AI-tools, anybody can quite easily craft believable websites and appear quite differently from reality. This also demonstrates well how strong brands are needed by everyone.
Secondly, conferences such as this are also great opportunities to spot new business opportunities. Even though quite many IPR-related companies offer somewhat similar services, there are those who are constantly innovating when it comes to for example packaging services and coming up with new innovative ways of helping clients. The yearly conference is thus also a great opportunity to keep track of useful tools and services that are available worldwide.
All in all, the INTA 2025 annual meeting was once again filled with meaningful encounters, new insights, and a renewed sense of global community within the trademark field. While the days were often long and filled with thousands of walked steps, the value of these in-person moments—whether scheduled meetings or spontaneous encounters —can’t be overstated. The conference served as a great reminder of how much the human side of this profession still matters, even in a world that keeps digitalizing faster and faster every day.
The IAM Patent 1000 annually evaluates firms and practitioners through in-depth client interviews, peer feedback, and independent research, then ranks recommendations in Gold, Silver, and Bronze classification.
IAM annually highlights standout professionals within each firm using Gold‑Silver‑Bronze classification: Gold for elite leaders, Silver for strong performers, and Bronze for notable contributors.
An impressive nine of our professionals are listed this year:
Karri Leskinen
Jonna Sahlin
Jaana Hämäläinen
Thomas Carlsson
Marja Liisa Autti
Christian Westerholm
Tomi Salter
Sini-Maaria Mikkilä
Nina Virolainen, in the next generation list
First row from left to right: Christian Westerholm, Tomi Salter, Sini-Maaria Mikkilä, Thomas Carlsson, Marja Liisa Autti
Second row from left to right: Jaana Hämäläinen, Jonna Sahlin, Nina Virolainen and Karri Leskinen
For details on the IAM Patent 1000 2025 Finland rankings, visit IAM’s country listing at:
Boco IP proudly announces our remarkable achievements in the IP STARS 2025 rankings. Our firm has secured one firm-level ranking and five individual rankings on a prestigious platform, across intellectual property, which affirms its status as one of the IPR leaders in the Finnish legal market.
“Being recognized in the IP Stars rankings is a testament to Boco IP’s unwavering commitment to excellence in intellectual property. This achievement reflects not only our deep expertise across a broad spectrum of IP specialisms—from patents and trademarks to strategic IP portfolio management—but also our dedication to delivering innovative, client-focused solutions. We are proud of our team’s exceptional work and grateful for the trust our clients have in us.” says Karri Leskinen, CEO of Boco IP
Alongside Boco IP’s recognition as a Top Tier firm, Peter Åkerlund, Karri Leskinen, Jonna Sahlin, Christian Westerholm, and Jaana Hämäläinen were individually ranked as IP Stars 2025.
What changed: The Guidelines now reflect the change introduced on 1 April 2024, which provides a 30% fee reduction for certain categories of applicants – specifically micro-entities, including: • Natural persons • Non-profit organisations • Universities • Public research organisations
This reduction applies to most fees in the patent granting process, including filing, search, examination, designation, grant, and renewal fees for the 3rd and 4th years. The Guidelines now explicitly cover the requirements for fee reductions, as well as the consequences of non-compliance with eligibility criteria. 🔗 Ref: GL A‑X, 9.4
💡 Why it matters: This change makes the European patent system more accessible to small-scale innovators and public research institutions, reducing cost barriers at critical early stages of innovation.
✅ What to watch out for or do differently: ✔ Make sure that the applicant has not filed more than five EP applications in the last five years. ✔ The fee reduction must be requested at the time of payment, and the applicant must be the sole applicant at that moment. ✔ Ineligible declarations may lead to loss of rights—double-check applicants status before claiming the reduction.
The EPO has clarified that parties and their representatives remain fully responsible for the content of patent applications and submissions—even if these were prepared with the help of AI tools. 🔗 Ref: GL Foreword, section 5
The updated Guidelines reaffirm that AI and machine learning (ML) inventions are not excluded from patentability simply because they involve computational models or algorithms. Specifically, if a claim related AI or ML is directed to a method involving the use of technical means or to a device, its subject-matter has technical character and is not excluded from patentability under Art. 52(2) or (3) EPC. In such cases, the computational models and algorithms contribute to the technical character of the invention if they contribute to a technical solution to a technical problem e.g. by being applied in a field of technology and/or by being adapted to a specific technical implementation. 🔗 Ref: GL GII, 3.3.1
💡 Why it matters: Applicants using AI tools must ensure full EPC compliance, regardless of how content is generated. For patenting AI/ML inventions, technical application and implementation is key to overcoming exclusion risks.
✅ What to watch out for or do differently: ✔ Ensure AI-generated content is fully reviewed and aligned with EPC standards. ✔ Don’t treat AI-related inventions as “automatically excluded” — they can be patentable if framed correctly.
With a background in chemical engineering, Björn has over 8 years of experience in the IPR field, having worked as a patent examiner in the national office, and as a patent engineer in the industry.
“Having earlier collaborated with the experts at Boco IP, I am very happy to join the top-notch team and further develop my skills. For me, the best thing about working in the IPR field is witnessing an innovation evolve from a mere idea into a thriving business.” says Björn.
He continues: “From my previous experience, I am familiar with both early-stage invention disclosures, as well as global patent prosecution. I have evaluated many patent applications, and I know the requirements of strong IPR protection also from an applicant’s perspective.
Please get in touch if you have any questions related to inventions in chemistry, materials science or nanotechnology. My aim is to ensure that clients’ inventions are protected to the fullest extent.”
Björn has a Doctor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, with focus on Physical Chemistry, from Åbo Akademi University.
Boco IP is proud to announce that its Chairman of the Board and European Patent Attorney, Jonna Sahlin, has received multiple prestigious international recognitions for her expertise in intellectual property (IP). She is featured in the latest LexologyIndex report as one of the few Finnish leaders in IP: Thought Leaders – IP – Reports – Lexology Index – Lexology. Who’s Who Legal rebranded it’s name to Lexology Index last year.
In 2024, Jonna was named to the IAM Strategy 300 list, which recognizes the world’s leading IP strategists. This distinguished honor is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated exceptional insight into the development, creation, and management of intellectual property value. She has also been featured on the IAM Global Leaders list, which highlights the world’s top patent professionals.
Additionally, Jonna has been recognized by Managing IP as a Patent star 2024 and Top 250 Women in IP 2024 underscoring her dedication and expertise in the field.
Boco IP, one of Finland’s oldest and most respected IP firms, has been providing tailored intellectual property solutions since 1928. Jonna’s achievements reflect Boco IP’s ongoing commitment to excellence and expertise in IP management.
We are pleased to introduce a new member of the Boco IP team, Kirsi Hakkila. She brings extensive experience and versatile technical expertise, further enhancing our team of specialists.
With a background in software engineering, Kirsi has over 20 years of experience in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) within software companies, having worked as an IP Manager.
“I’m excited to join Boco IP, where I can leverage my previous expertise and continue learning new skills. I look forward to getting to know new clients and their projects. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime and in any situation. I have been reviewing patent applications for over 20 years, and now I’m eager to start drafting them as well. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions related to software—I’m here to help. I am familiar with the IPR challenges faced by software companies and can assist with facilitating solutions and in the invention valuation phase.”
Kirsi graduated from the Technical University of Helsinki’s Civil Engineering department, majoring in water supply, with additional studies in computer science.
This prestigious recognition highlights Christian’s exceptional contributions to the intellectual property (IP) field and his unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier legal expertise.
The Managing IP Awards are among the most respected accolades in the industry, celebrating excellence in IP law across patents, trademarks, and related areas. Being shortlisted for Practitioner of the Year is a testament to Christian’s dedication, strategic thinking, and impact in helping clients protect their innovations and brands.
With years of experience in patent law, Christian has built a reputation for providing innovative, business-focused IP solutions. His ability to navigate complex legal landscapes, combined with his client-centric approach, makes him a true leader in the field. This recognition underscores the significant role he plays in shaping the future of intellectual property law.
We congratulate Christian on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the final results of the Managing IP EMEA Awards 2025. Regardless of the outcome, this nomination alone reflects his outstanding contributions and the respect he commands in the IP community.
