Internationally acclaimed IPR expert Tuukka Airaksinen assumed the leadership of Kolster’s Brand Protection services last spring. The versatile trademark specialist has received international recognition for his active efforts to renew the industry.
Tuukka Airaksinen, Master of Laws, has 25 years of experience in trademark protection, IPR and dispute resolution. Airaksinen started at Kolster’s Legal team as Head of Brand Protection last spring. His previous duties at law firms include managing demanding IPR portfolios of international companies in the technology and consumer product industries.
“The management of clients’ trademark porfolios is particularly interesting. The connected international activities provide the job with an endless source of new challenges. The constant change of the global IPR field keeps me inspired,” Airaksinen states.
Arbitration and legal proceedings are some of Airaksinen’s strengths along with the creation of solid IPR entities as part of close partnerships with clients.
“Genuine interaction is the cornerstone of my work as it enables a thorough understanding of the client’s goals and interests. Openness and encouragement in the work community are equally important,” Airaksinen says.
The only Finnish WIPO Domain Name Panelist
One of Airaksinen’s global viewpoints is his role of panelist at the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO. He is the only Finnish lawyer to participate in the arbitration of domain name disputes at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center and the US National Arbitration Forum. In this position, Airaksinen has gathered over a decade of experience in solving individual disputes as an impartial expert.
“My cases focus on various types of online scams and unauthorized database compilation, both of which have been on the increase in the recent years. Ten years ago, the number of disputes per year was 2,500, but now we have 4,500. In a typical case, scammers register a domain name very similar to that of a well-known brand to phish names and credit card details from website visitors,” Airaksinen explains.
When a company’s clients are deceived, the company suffers both economic and reputational damage. These cases emphasize the importance of brand management and extensive protection of intellectual property.
Kolster’s partner network covers 165 countries
Tuukka Airaksinen has been ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Europe and Chambers Global and in the “Gold” category by WTR 1000 and praised as an IP Star by the IP Stars handbook.
In addition, he has years of experience of participation in the International Trademark Association INTA and the Association of European Trade Mark Owners MARQUES.
Strong international presence has been essential to Kolster since the company was established.
“As an increasing number of Finnish companies aim for the international market and foreign operators aim for the Finnish market, we need trusted partners all over the world. Kolster’s partner network covers 165 countries,” Airaksinen says.
The Brand Protection services managed by Airaksinen extensively cover matters related to infringements, arbitration, legal proceedings, marketing law and consumer protection as well as all topics connected to IPR, from contracts to trade secrets and licensing.
Head of Brand Protection
tuukka.airaksinen@kolster.com
+358 40 525 7050
Helsinki, Finland
