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

USPTO Announces New 3-Month Time Period for Applicants to Respond to the Majority of Trademark Office Actions

Effective December 3, 2022, U.S. trademark applicants will have now have a 3-month period vs. the current 6-month period to respond to the majority of pre-registration U.S. Office Actions. Post-registration deadlines will be similarly reduced to 3 months starting October 7, 2023.

News | 21.11.2022

Managing IP Rising Star 2022 | Liisa Sarnes Salokoski

Our expert Liisa Sarnes Salokoski has been recognized as a Rising Star in Managing IP’s 2022 study.

News | 12.10.2022

XXXV Nordic NIR Meeting 2022

This year’s Nordic NIR meeting gathered 160 IP professionals from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden in Oslo on 28 to 30 August 2022. Climate change had been selected as the overall theme of the conference.

News | 13.9.2022