Experts – Finnpatent Oy

Patent Attorneys

Finnpatent Oy has both European patent attorneys and authorized Finnish patent attorneys. Our patent attorneys are also very experienced in patenting on every continent. Their industry background and familiarity with the academic world allows them to understand the client’s viewpoint.

Jari Hovinen

Partner
PhD, Docent
European Patent Attorney
Authorized Finnish Patent Attorney

+358 50 381 2322
jari.hovinen@finnpatent.fi

Detailed introduction

Tapio Kankaala

Partner
Master of Science
Patent Attorney
IPR Strategy Specialist

+358 50 344 9027
tapio.kankaala@finnpatent.fi

Detailed introduction

Jari Hovinen

Career as a patent attorney

patent attorney since 2009
has drafted numerous patent applications in several fields of technology (e.g. nucleic acid chemistry, peptide chemistry, label technology, inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry, process chemistry, optics, mechanics, nanotechnology, ultrasound technology, sensory technology)
participates in oral hearings before the EPO relating to the examination of patent applications and to patent oppositions
has served as an expert in various infringement and revocation proceedings
conducts patentability and Freedom to Operate searches, and works in co-operation with clients to prepare IPR strategies

Other career stages

13 years as a researcher, Head of Organic Chemistry R&D department, and IPR Portfolio Manager at an international medical device company
10 years of academic research experience (University of Turku, Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Uppsala and Wake Forest University)
Adjunct Professor (Docent) at the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku

Inventions and scientific publications

inventor or co-inventor in 21 patent families and seven utility models in the field of chemistry
List of publications by Jari Hovinen

Education

MSc in physical chemistry and PhD in synthetic nucleic acid chemistry
completion of European qualifying examination (EQE) in 2013, conferring the right to represent clients at the European Patent Office (EPO)
CEIPI/epi Diploma Course on Patent Litigation in Europe, completed at the University of Strasbourg in 2014-2015, conferring the right to represent clients before the Unified Patent Court (UPC)
further UPC competence secured by completing the CEIPI Training Program for Technically Qualified Judges of the Unified Patent Court at the University of Strasbourg in 2016

Tapio Kankaala

Career of IPR field

Over 16 years of patent agency experience serving a diverse and extensive customer base in international IPR affairs. Have prosecuted clients’ patents in patenting processes in very many countries (PCT, EPO, USA, JP, KR, CN, IN, FI, etc). Very experienced on novelty examinations, inventiveness reviews, freedom to operate (FTO) studies, IPR strategy issues and various contractual procedures in IPR matters (licensing agreements, employment invention agreements, etc.).
Six years of experience in IPR affairs in an international large company, where IPR affairs became closely related to the company’s business strategy. Managed the innovation and patenting process of a large R&D organization. A specialist in employment invention law affairs.
Technology areas in which have drafted and prosecuted hundreds of patents for the clients: energy technology, electronics, medical measuring technology, medical imaging technology, surface measurement techniques, positioning technology, telecommunication engineering and mechanics.
Have been working in the IPR affairs also as Sales Director.

Other career stages

He has been working for more than two years as a researcher at the Electronics Laboratory of University of Oulu in the telecommunications engineering and electronics with a cooperation project with Nokia.
In addition, one year of work experience in the Finnish food manufacturing industry.

Education

Master of Science (Electronics and Measurement Technology)
Many different IPR courses: Patents-Industry-Technology, CEIPI in European Patent Law, US Patent Practice and International IPR Strategy in The Hague, Netherlands, etc.

IPR Coordinator

Our coordinator has been in the patent industry since 2002.

Tarja Lantto
partner
MA
IPR Coordinator

+358 40 724 1229
tarja.lantto@finnpatent.fi

Main responsibilities

Managing broad range of IPR matters (including Finnish patent administrative practices and procedures, European patent application procedures covering European patent validations, direct patent filings, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) stage procedures and national phase of PCT filings).
Taking care of correspondence with clients and foreign associates.

Wish to know more about our services? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact

Patent Attorneys

Jari Hovinen

Tapio Kankaala

Jari Hovinen

Career as a patent attorney

Other career stages

Inventions and scientific publications

Education

Tapio Kankaala

Career of IPR field

Other career stages

Education

IPR Coordinator

Main responsibilities

Finnpatent Oy

Raisio office