Our solutions /  Portfolio management

Annual fees and renewals

Registered intellectual property rights are kept in force by payment of annuities and renewal fees. It is recommended to yearly review what the IPR portfolio contains when deciding if annuities and renewals are to be paid.

Renewal fees for patent applications and patents

For patent applications and granted patents, official annual fees, i.e. maintenance fees, must be paid in order for the application or patent to remain valid. The annual fees are to be paid separately to the relevant patent office in each country where the patent application is pending or where the patent has been granted. The term of the patent is  20 years from the filing date, provided that the annual fees have been paid on time. The timing of the first annual fee varies by country. In most countries, the first due date is 1 to 3 years from the filing of the application (e.g. Finland, EPO), while in some countries the annual fees do not become due until the grant of the patent (e.g. the USA). Our partner in patent and utility model renewal fees is CPA Global (formerly Patrafee Ab). Annual patent fees can increase towards the end of their term., Therefore, it is a good idea to verify that  your patent portfolio is still in line with your company’s strategy and product portfolio.  Reviewing the patent portfolio also helps to identify needs for renewal and supplementation of the patent portfolio. If a patent is no longer relevant, and cannot be sold or licensed, it may be worth considering to allow the patent  lapse and invest in new patent applications.

Utility model renewal fees

A renewal fee must be paid for Finnish utility models after they have been granted. The renewal fee must first be paid twice for four years and then for additional two years. The due date is calculated from the date of filing the utility application, from which the term of protection is calculated for a maximum of 10 years.

Renewal fees for trademark registrations

Trademark registrations must be renewed every ten years. The renewal allows the protection to remain valid for the next 10 years. The last day on which renewal is possible is indicated in the registration information. We will remind you of the deadlines  in advance.

Renewal fees for design registrations

Model registrations must be renewed at regular intervals in order for the protection to remain valid. Typically, the time span is five years and registrations can be valid for a maximum of 25 years. The last day on which renewal is possible is indicated in the registration information. In some countries, such as China, instead of renewal, annual fees must be paid in order for the protection to remain in place. We will remind you of renewal and annual fees  in advance .

Domain Renewal

Domains must be renewed at regular intervals for the domain to remain valid. Typically, the time span is one year. The last day on which renewal is possible is indicated in the registration information.
Renewal Fee
Boco IP submits an application for renewal to the authority or the domain operator used.
Supervision
Boco IP takes care of the supervision of the annual fee and the control of the renewal dates and handles all the measures related to the renewal.
Renewals
The intellectual property or domain has been renewed.
Reporting
Boco IP delivers an annual fee report to the customer. Boco IP reminds of the need to renew trademarks, designs and domains as deadlines approach.

Pricing examples

Patent renewal fee example

Contact us to discuss more about patent renewal.

Trade mark renewal fee example

The price depends on the official fees of the agency of the country in question and the number of trademark categories covered (or renewed) by the registration

Design renewal fee example

The price depends on the fees of authority.

Would you like to get a preliminary price estimate for a service that best meets your needs?

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If you are concerned about anything, we are here for you. Pressing the button below you can see all our experts.
Jonna Sahlin profiilikuva
Jonna Sahlin
European Patent Attorney, Chairman of the board, Partner
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Boco IP - Marja-Liisa Autti profiilikuva
Marja Liisa Autti
European Patent Attorney, Partner
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Boco IP - Nina Virolaisen profiilikuva
Nina Virolainen
European Patent Attorney
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Peter Åkerlund
IP Lawyer, Partner
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Sini-Maaria Mikkilä profiilikuva
Sini-Maaria Mikkilä
Chief Strategy Officer, European Patent Attorney
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Boco IP - Elina Heikkilä profiilikuva
Elina Heikkilä
IP-Lawyer, Member of the Board, Partner
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Jaana Hämäläinen profiilikuva
Jaana Hämäläinen
European Patent Attorney, Partner
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Elsa Peltola
IP Specialist, administration and formalities
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Jonna Sahlin profiilikuva

Jonna Sahlin

European Patent Attorney, Chairman of the board, Partner

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).

Education
M.Sc. (chemistry, food technology, polymer technology)
Languages
Swedish, Finnish, English, (German)
Activities
Expert member of the Market Court, European Patent Institute (epi, council member 2017-), Finnish Patent Attorneys Association (SPAY, chairman 2010-2013), active in co-operation with Nordic patent attorneys in the field of chemistry, AIPPI, FICPI, UNION, Finnish Association of Industrial Law (STY) and Finnish Chemists Society (SKS), swimming, running, downhill skiing, gardening
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Boco IP - Marja-Liisa Autti profiilikuva

Marja Liisa Autti

European Patent Attorney, Partner

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.

Education
M.Sc. (electrical engineering: applied electronics, metrology, bioelectronics)
Languages
Finnish, English, Swedish
Activities
Orienteering, trail running, swimrun, geocaching, piano, gardening, genealogy
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Boco IP - Nina Virolaisen profiilikuva

Nina Virolainen

European Patent Attorney

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!

Education
PhD (Environmental Biotechnology), M.Sc. (Biotechnology)
Languages
Finnish, English, Swedish, German
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Peter Åkerlund

IP Lawyer, Partner

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.

Education
LL.M., Master of Laws trained on the bench
Languages
Swedish, Finnish, English
Activities
The Association of Finnish Patent Attorneys, the Finnish Anti-Counterfeiting Group, IPR University Center Association, the Finnish Marketing Association MARK (several confidential posts in the above-mentioned organizations over the years), INTA, the Finnish Association for Industrial Property Rights, Juridiska Föreningen i Finland, literature, art, economy
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Sini-Maaria Mikkilä profiilikuva

Sini-Maaria Mikkilä

Chief Strategy Officer, European Patent Attorney

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.

Education
M.Sc. (Automation Technology)
Languages
Finnish, English, Swedish, German, Russian
Activities
European Patent Institute (member), Finnish Patent Attorneys Association (member), FICPI ​​(member) Crafts and creative writing
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Boco IP - Elina Heikkilä profiilikuva

Elina Heikkilä

IP-Lawyer, Member of the Board, Partner

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.

Education
LL.M.
Languages
Finnish, English, Swedish, French
Activities
The Association of Finnish Patent Attorneys, The Finnish Association for Industrial Property Rights, International Trademark Association, The Finnish Anti-Counterfeiting Group, exercise, sailing, reading, antique, design
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Jaana Hämäläinen profiilikuva

Jaana Hämäläinen

European Patent Attorney, Partner

I handle the patenting of inventions related to biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemistry nationally and internationally. My technology expertise includes e.g. therapeutic and diagnostic methods, drugs and food. I also manage the protection of plant-related inventions and the application for plant variety rights. I am a European Patent Attorney and a Registered Patent Attorney in Finland. In addition to the prosecution of patent applications I conduct freedom-to-operate analyses, novelty searches, provide statements, and, if necessary, act as a technical expert in patent litigations and act as a lecturer.

My clients include start-ups, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies.

After my master’s degree in biotechnology, I completed my PhD at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. I also did postgraduate studies at Cornell University in the USA and the University of Helsinki. My background in working as a researcher in different universities and research environments has helped me understand the different stages of research and development.

I have enjoyed being at Boco IP since 2000.

Education
Ph.D. (plant pathology), M.Sc. (biotechnology, chemistry)
Languages
Finnish, Swedish, English, German
Activities
Expert member of the Market Court. Professional memberships: Finnish Patent Attorneys Association, AIPPI, European Patent Institute, Finnish Industrial Property Association, Finnish Chemists’ Association. Jogging, Skiing, Reading, History and Genealogy.
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Elsa Peltola

IP Specialist, administration and formalities

I am Elsa Peltola, Boco IP's new IP Specialist. I studied social sciences as my major and minored in communications and business law. Boco's industry is new to me so I have a lot to learn. I'm lucky to have such amazing and competent colleagues to learn from. Looking forward to all the new challenges that this position offers!

Education
Master of Social Sciences
Languages
Finnish, Swedish, English
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Jonna Sahlin profiilikuva
Jonna Sahlin
European Patent Attorney, Chairman of the board, Partner
+358 40 536 1037
jonna.sahlin@bocoip.com
Peter Åkerlund
IP Lawyer, Partner
+358 9 6866 8413
peter.akerlund@bocoip.com