New Cooperative Chance and Challenge in China IP Field under International Environment —An Interview with Mr. Timo Helosuo, the CEO of Kolster Oy Ab
By Maggie Men, China IP
On January 12, the 9th China IP International Annual Forum and 2019 Annual Conference of In - House IP Managers in China hosted by China IP was successfully held in Beijing.
At this forum, Kolster Oy Ab was awarded the 2019 Mos t Recommended International IP Agencies for Chinese Enterprises.
Kolster Oy Ab is one of the leading European IP Law firms, established 144 years ago, providing full range of IP and legal services. Kolster mainly provides services in three continents, i.e. European, Northern America and China. Since Kolster has been constantly working with Chinese IP partners and companies from 1980s, it has set up Kolster China Desk and Kolster China Ltd, to better service its Chinese partners and clients. Until now, Kolster has worked with over 4,000 cases in China. The main business area includes, intellectual property audits, intellectual property strategies, patents, utility models, designs, trademarks, copyrights, licenses, etc. At the time, Kolster also helps Chinese companies set up subsidiaries or branches in Finland or the European Union. Mr. Timo Helosuo, the CEO of Kolster Oy Ab and Ms. Zhangping Wu, Business Development Manager, China, attended China IP International Annual Forum, on behalf of Kolster and gave an interview to China IP.
During the interview, Mr. Helosuo stated that he has seen a dramatic change in China within the thirty years. Thinking about the history of thirty years, it is quite short. However, China starts with an incredible fast development for the whole market. In China, there is no market before that. Since then a total industry has developed, learning very quickly and applying similar kind of legislation that have been used in other partial of the world. During the years, the experience, professionalism and Chinese agencies have been increased a lot. Kolster are working on international market sale and domestic market sale. “What can we see currently is that in the period the domestic one is now getting more and more international f l a v o r because t h e Chinese enterprises are more interested in going into the market like US and Europe. Today, I can see that it is a fortune for Chinese companies and enterprises having such great IP agencies in China and also have good knowledge and reputation in the world.” Mr. Helosuo also added, “As I mentioned, the IP legislation between China and Europe is quite the same. However, when we refer to how do those enterprises apply the laws, somehow there are some Chinese flavors and therefore you need to have right partners in China. Then, you will know even the recent preference of the law system. The significant development has happened and also Chinese government has promised to get even closer to the western system.”
“We have some experience cooperated with clients in China,” Mr. Helosuo said, “We are trying to achieve clearly that serving our Chinese clients in Europe. We are developing in the network of partners here not as many as possible but the good one that willing to cooperate with European in china. It is also the reciprocity that is very important. Since 80s we have done over 4,000 protects in China. So we have quite a lot experience also business for Chinese IP agencies.” Due to the great deal of experience, Kolster became the first foreign council member in China Trademark Association in 2017. After one year being the member of China Trademark Association, Mr. Helosuo said that trademark in China is developing all the time and trademark application volume is huge. What's more, it is about practicality. It is very important that organization like trademark association. They are strengthening the relation with other partial of the world and Kolster is happy of being the host and also being the more international company discussed with the CPA.
Because the cooperation between China and f o re i g n counties in IP field just began in several years, it inevitably encountered various problems and challenges. Mr. Helosuo emphasized that Kolster has learned a lot, and all the enterprises and IP agencies are learning a lot on this process and he think the one of the key things that is very important: both IP agencies and enterprises in China are to have a partner who has the experience or working with both Chinese companies and European transduction. Because there are some culture differences and also the language barriers. For example, the translation cost easily quite high and that why they have invested in the Kolster China Desk.
When the China IP journalist asking about the plan of 2019, Mr. Helosuo said that China is a very big part of their strategy.
So they would like to be even more and deeply a part of their way in Chinese enterprises. They open up an office in Shenzhen, China in last October and the main rule of that office is to help Chinese IP agencies who work with them and their clients in Europe as well.
Nevertheless, the cooperation still faces many impacts, such as Brexit. Mr. Helosuo stated that the impact of the Brexit also influences the Chinese companies. No one knows exactly what will be the contract that will be done for the European Union. But so far he can see, "UK increases their interest of having a international trade market. Another thing which is interesting is that UK agencies used to take care of the American companies, but now, Europe agencies cannot take care of their business any more, so US enterprises are seeking new partners." It impacts the part of trademark agreement not the part of European union political system.
It is not a direct impact. As for the preparation work for the impact of it, Kolster have the conduction all the time and discuss what is going on with their partners in UK. They insist to understand not only the companies that are coming to UK, but also what the UK companies need to do to perform as good as they can in the new environment. However, there are still some questions that need to have answers and now it is the time to find the answers.
Nowadays, there are more and more Chinese enterprises who would like to go to the European market, Mr. Helosuo also gave several suggestions for them.
First, prepare it early enough and take care of the key protect things, such as firm’s name and trademarks, even before attend the first trade there. If someone have not done anything like two or three months before the trade field, there is high risk that somebody t aki ng thei r trademarks. Second, set up a partner who has experience working with Chinese companies and European. Guided by them you can avoid a lot the kind of extra learning. Third, if possible, find a partner who also can help you in Chinese or Mandarin.
Then you can avoid the most of translation costs and there will be lower rate of misunderstanding.
Under the new international environment, more Chinese enterprises want to make closer relationship and cooperation with European firms. China IP journalist will keep the attention on the change of the European system and provide timely and effective information.
