Languages

Finnish, English

Hilma Mäkitalo-Saarinen

Associate IP & Technology

Languages

Finnish, English

Hilma advises domestic and international clients on all aspects of intellectual property law, with a particular focus on brand protection, trademark portfolio management, licensing arrangements, and commercial agreements. She has experience in IP-related disputes and litigations involving both patents and trademarks. Additionally, she has contributed to multiple M&A projects, with a particular emphasis on intellectual property law and technology-related aspects. Hilma also provides advice on IP questions related to entertainment and media law, digitalisation, and AI.

In addition, Hilma advises clients on technology-related arrangements related to outsourcing, procurement, and the delivery of ICT solutions and services. She has also gained experience in matters relating to data protection and privacy.

Selected References

Parties

Haveli Investments, M-Files Corporation

Transaction

Haveli Investments' majority recapitalisation of M-Files Corporation, a leading platform for knowledge work automation.

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Haveli Investments

Contacts

Hannes Snellman successfully defended Continental Automotive GmbH (“Continental”) in an action brought by Nokia Technologies Oy (“Nokia”) concerning the right to claim priority for a patent. The Market Court held that the matter did not concern the registration or validity of a patent. The Market Court also held that Nokia lacked declaratory interest. Consequently, the Market Court found that it lacked jurisdiction and dismissed the action without considering the merits as requested by Continental.

The Market Court ordered Nokia to compensate EUR 500,000 with legal interest to Continental for the legal costs incurred.

The decision is not final.

Contacts

Parties

Accel-KKR, Aico Group, Juuri Partners

Transaction

Accel-KKR’s majority equity investment in Aico Group

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Accel-KKR, a global technology-focused investment firm

Contacts

Counsel to multiple companies in the consumer electronics and telecommunications sectors on regulatory and product compliance matters.

Contacts

Counsel to a Finnish company in television programme cooperation related agreements.

Contacts

Counsel to a major professional sports league in its trademark matters in Finland.

Contacts

Parties: 

Methode Electronics, Inc., Nordic Lights Group Corporation

Transaction:

Methode Electronics, Inc.'s recommended public cash tender offer for all shares in Nordic Lights Group Corporation

Deal Value:

EUR 132 million

Role:

Counsel to Methode Electronics, Inc.

Contacts

Counsel to Red Cross First Aid in relation to several trademark cases as well as agreement update project.

Contacts

Parties:

Sega Europe Limited and SEGA Corporation (Buyers) Rovio Entertainment Corporation (Target)

Transaction:

Counsel to Sega Europe Limited and SEGA Corporation in the recommended public cash tender offer for all shares and options in Rovio Entertainment Corporation.

Deal value: 

Approximately EUR 706 million

Role:

Counsel to Sega Europe Limited and SEGA Corporation

Contacts

Parties

Nordic Metal Holdings (Buyer), Alumeco Group (Target)

Transaction

Hannes Snellman advised Nordic Metal Holdings in its acquisition of Alumeco Group, a metal wholesaler primarily within aluminum. 

Deal Value

Value not public

Role

Counsel to Nordic Metal Holdings

Contacts

Memberships and Positions of Trust

  • Member of the Finnish Association for Industrial Property Rights 
  • Member of the Finnish Fashion Law Association 
  • Member of the IT Law Association

Professional Background

  • Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2022–

Education

  • Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 2022