IPR basics

What are patents, trademarks and design rights? How does one apply for them, and what do I need to know beforehand? Check out this series of articles from our experts for a rundown on the basics of IPR.

Patent

A patent protects your invention. It is an exclusive right that allows you to restrict others from exploiting your invention commercially.

Trademark

A trademark is a sign that distinguishes the products and services of your company from those of your competitors, functioning as a distinctive symbol in the market.

Utility model

A utility model is a fast way to protect your invention. Similar to a patent, it enables you to restrict the commercial use of your invention by others.

Design right

A design right protects the industrial design of your product, or a part or detail of it. A registered design is an exclusive right that allows you to prohibit others from using your design.

Unitary Patent

A Unitary Patent (UP) is a new type of European patent that has unitary effect in the member states of the EU participating the Unitary Patent system.

Frequently asked questions

Our patent attorneys answer the most commonly asked questions – such as, can one patent a software program, and what is the difference between the ® and ™ symbols?

News

Financial Times: Laine IP Oy among Europe’s leading Patent Law Firms

Laine IP Oy has been listed among the best patent law firms by Financial Times in the Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2022 ranking. Financial Times is one of the most distighuished and widely circulated busniess newspapers in the world.

News | 21.6.2022

Only a non-disclosed invention can be patented

A patentable invention needs to be novel, which is why it cannot be made available to the public before filing a patent application. A wide range of actions are considered publication, so the safest measure is to keep the invention completely in secrecy until a patent application has been filed.

News | 17.3.2022

An assignment is not a mere formality

The applicant must have the right to the invention in case the applicant is another entity than the inventor. Otherwise the application is not validly filed.

News | 10.3.2022