Tapio Äkräs

As Director of Patents, Tapio Äkräs is responsible for patent operations, quality and process development at Kolster.

Tapio has worked at Kolster since 1985. He has over 30 years of experience on the protection of innovations, defence of IP rights and patent disputes from hundreds of patent families and thousands of handled patent applications. Tapio is a recognised and trusted expert in hi-tech innovations. He understands the process to identify the core issue to be protected in complex innovations, condense it in a patent application and successfully obtain protection both in Finland and globally. Tapio has the answers for any questions related to patents.

IP expertise

• All patenting issues, including
• Patenting process from drafting the patent application to its granting and opposition matters
• Patenting of technically challenging inventions
• IP counselling and strategy: protection alternatives, courses of action, optimisation
• Expert opinions on the scope of protection of patents
• IP risk management, patent infringement evaluations
• Cancelling competitor patents
• IPR Due Diligence in corporate acquisitions
• IP workshops and IP training

Technical expertise

• Various hi-tech products in general
• Electronics, power electronics, electrical engineering, RF and microwave technology, antennae
• Information technology, software, digital data transmission and networks, Internet Protocol, firewalls
• Cloud services, mobile applications, user interfaces
• Communications systems, wireless networks, WiFi, IoT, RFID
• Automation and control systems, process equipment, process routes, control room solutions
• Integrated circuits and their production methods, hybrid circuits, sensor technology, MEMS, optics
• Measuring technology
• Medical technology

Client industries

• Communications and media
• Consumer goods
• Energy
• Financial services
• ICT
• Life sciences
• Media and entertainment
• Oil & gas
• Paper and forest industry
• Public services
• Freight and logistics
• Health care
• High tech
• Industrial equipment
• Software
• Natural resources
• Electric measurement technology
• Utilities / cleantech
• Telecommunications

IPR sector memberships

• epi – Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office
• Association of Finnish Patent Attorneys
• Finnish Association of Industrial Property Rights
• Finnish AIPPI Group – International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property
• FICPI – International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys