I want to protect my invention or brand
Why should an invention or brand be protected?
IP or IPR, intellectual property rights, can sound complicated. The uninitiated may raise their hands at this point: IP sounds too difficult and awkward. This is a familiar situation for our experts, as there are still many companies that are not in charge of their intangible assets. Fears out, a good expert can talk about intellectual property rights understandably. When there is no information, it is easier to say “no”. But is the easiest way the most sensible? For a long-term business strategy, burying your head in the sand can be dangerous. For example, patent protection must, as a general rule, be sought before an invention becomes public. After release, the game may have already been lost and it may not be possible to obtain patent protection. If your company has not considered IP issues, it might be a good idea to stop at this point to consider why this important corporate asset is not on the agenda of corporate management. What are the risks if IP matters are not managed in a controlled manner? Perhaps so far, luck has avoided problems, but in the future, do we dare to take risks and be unaware of the movements of competitors and the rights already protected by others?Do you take a risk, or do you protect your IP?
If your company has not considered IP issues, it might be a good idea to stop at this point to consider why this important corporate asset is not on the agenda of corporate management. What are the risks if IP issues are not managed in a controlled manner? Perhaps so far, the problems have been avoided with luck, but will we dare to take risks in the future and be unaware of the movements of competitors and the existing protections of others? Is your own invisible capital still being left unprotected? The company does not have to wrestle with these questions alone, as it is good to make informed decisions based on an assessment made with expertise.
Indeed, intellectual property rights should be seen as an investment rather than a mere cost item. What is the relationship of IP to other investments in the company? It is probably a relatively small amount of money - especially if you look at the price of intellectual property on a monthly basis. If you invest large sums in marketing your brand, are you willing to take the risk of not owning your own brand and therefore end up in a trademark dispute? Disputes can only become costly. Thoughtful and expertly managed protection is effective in preventing disputes. Knowledge of the competitive field and the existing protections of other players will help to avoid unintentional infringements. When you know what you’re doing, at least you don’t accidentally step on anyone’s toes. At its best, well-maintained intellectual property can also make money, as licensing has increased significantly. In the case of corporate or technology acquisitions, intellectual property rights also have a monetary value. When applying for funding, technology and brand protections are often a prerequisite for funding.
Have you clarified your own situation regarding the different forms of protection? Has a technology mapping been carried out? Do brands matter in business? What about design - is it an important part of the product? Different forms of protection can be incorporated into a company’s considered IP strategy. For example, a patent is a prohibition in nature that prevents others from using a protected solution. In addition, it is public. What if someone else comes up with the same solution and protects it? In this case, it may become an obstacle to one's own activities. In IP matters, it is important to make informed decisions. In some cases, the most effective strategy is to leave something unprotected and keep the solution a trade secret. However, the decision must be based on a considered strategy, in which case the relevant contractual matters must also be in order. Boco IP helps you choose the right forms of protection and build strong IP protection.
If your own product or brand is not protected, it is practically very difficult, if not impossible, to prevent them from being copied. Without trademark or design protection, a company is often unarmed in the fight against copiers - both in China and elsewhere. The IP world has become more and more open to Finnish companies in recent years. Corporate management understands that IP is not just a matter for big gamblers.
The process and content of trademark/patent protection are described as follows
Idea
Evaluation
Application
Trademark / Patent
Would you like to get a preliminary price estimate for a service that best meets your needs?
Our solutions
Applying for and registering protection
Agreements
Disputes
Other legal services
Please do not wait with your questions too long. Ask us for advice.
Petri Nieminen
How can I help you! My job at Boco includes managing our consulting and training services. In my role as an expert, I do strategy consulting as an accredited Design IP Strategy expert, I also do market and competitor surveys, as well as training and workshop events. My special expertise is in valuing patents. I have previous work experience in consulting and management at Accenture and BEA Systems (now part of Oracle). In addition, as an entrepreneur and owner, I was involved in creating a new kind of commercialization service at Iprbox Oy, the business of which was acquired by Boco in 2008. Employed by Boco IP since then!
Karri Leskinen
Welcome to my page! How can I help?
I work at Boco IP as both CEO and patent attorney. As CEO, I want to help my colleagues succeed in their jobs and create a corporate culture where it is great to work. In my role as a patent attorney, I’m active in designing and implementing of clients' IPR strategies. With regard to assignments, I have focused especially on the handling of opposition cases in Finland and at the European Patent Office. I’m easily enthusiastic about everything related to the IP and I am happy to share this enthusiasm by lecturing and training new people in the IP field. In addition, I act as an expert in patent litigations, draft opinions and advise on patent law matters. I started at Boco IP in 2005, but I have been in the patent attorney since 1999. Feel free to contact me and let's talk more.
Jonna Sahlin
I am happy to advise and assist in various matters related to intellectual property rights and strategy, especially in the fields of chemistry, process technology, medicine, and diagnostics. I like problem solving and interaction with customers and colleagues, and I think the best results are usually achieved when the cooperation works smoothly. I handle patenting of inventions both in Finland and internationally, and in addition to prosecution of applications, I, among other things, also draft oppositions, freedom-to-operate analyses, and statements on the interpretation of patents.
I have been employed by Boco IP since 1998 and, after various tasks over the years, I nowadays mostly work with patent matters. Since 2017, I have represented Finland as a council member of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi) and as a Finnish member of the epi's Professional Conduct Committee (PCC).
Marja Liisa Autti
I mainly deal with patenting in the fields of information technology, electronics and radio technology. The invention of many of the patent applications I have handled has been implemented as a computer program or software, but I am also no stranger to mechanical devices. In many cases, the inventions are combinations of devices and their control or processing of signals obtained therefrom. My job includes drafting patent applications, preparing office action reports and office action responses, handling opposition matters as well as performing novelty searches and technology mappings. I work as an authorized patent attorney, authorized by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office PRH. Prior to my career as a patent attorney, I gained 15 years of experience in patenting, IPR strategy and patent portfolio management in telecommunications field, as well as previous experience in research and development in the telecommunications and electronics industry. I have been employed by Boco IP since 2014.
Nina Virolainen
I assist and advise our clients in protection of inventions in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry including diagnostics, molecular biology, microbiology, immunochemistry and process chemistry. My area of expertise is also the protection of biotechnology, bioenergy and cleantech processes and solutions. In addition, I assist our clients with employee’s inventions, competitor tracking, freedom to operate assessments and novelty searches.
I have worked in the patent industry since 2017. Before that, I have several years of R&D experience in developing and implementing innovative biotechnology and environmental technology solutions, both as a university researcher and at a startup company. I got interested in the IPR industry after being an inventor in patent applications myself, so I have multifaceted experience in turning research into protected inventions that add value to their owner. The best part of my job is getting a glimpse into pioneering research in many different fields!
Peter Åkerlund
I have a legal background and authorized to represent clients at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Finnish Patent Office, and at Finnish courts. I help clients to create strategies for the protection of brands, designs and other intangible assets. I conduct risk analysis' related to the use and registration of trademarks, and handle trademark registration and design protection worldwide. I also advise on contractual matters related to Intellectual Property and act as clients' representative in negotiations, and deal with trademark and design infringements, prosecute trademark oppositions and trademark and design cancellation procedures, and handle disputes related to domains. I have worked at Boco IP since 1999.
Sini-Maaria Mikkilä
I am happy to help with all kinds of IP matters, and especially with technical inventions, their protection by patents and utility models in Europe and internationally, and with matters related to defending IP rights, such as oppositions, appeals and infringement matters. I have worked as a patent attorney since 2008 and during the time I have helped to protect and defend a wide variety of inventions, but I am most experienced in protecting inventions related to machines and equipment and hydraulic, electrical and software control thereof, as well as components and geometries. I am also interested in hydraulics, measurements, automatic detection, and different types of sensor applications as well as user interfaces and energy technology applications.
I really like the versatility of patent attorney's work. In addition to patent prosecution, I am happy to advise clients on IP issues, such as planning IP and protection strategies, and employment invention matters. I find it interesting to analyse similarities and differences between solutions, and I like preparing expert opinions related to scope of protection and suspected patent infringement cases, for example. I also conduct novelty and technology searches. It is also important for me to increase IP awareness and, therefore, I also like to organize IP trainings and IP workshops.
I would like to encourage you to contact me especially if you work within an industry like industrial machinery or equipment, mobile machinery, automotive industry, mining, consumer products, paper and forestry, public services, freight and logistics, health technology, measuring equipment and technology, renewable energy, or telecommunications. However, please feel free to contact me in any other IP matters, as I am always happy to help you to find the best expert on any matter, whether it is me or someone else.
I started at Boco IP in 2021 opening our Tampere office, but I help clients all over Finland and abroad, in Finnish, English and Swedish. Besides IPR matters, I also have an extensive experience in developing and deploying processes and information system tools.
Elina Heikkilä
I work primarily with trademarks and designs. I have years of global experience in IP protection proceedings, opposition, infringement and cancellation proceedings. I conduct availability and risk analyses, contractual matters, and IP strategy planning. Every IP-workday is fascinating! My previous work experience is from the Supreme Administrative Court, the Finnish Patent Office, and from a patent agency. I am authorized to represent clients at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) and Finnish courts. I have worked at Boco since 2011.
