The PATLIB network
PATLIB is a European collaboration network coordinated by the European Patent Office (EPO). The purpose of the network is to provide access to patent information all over Europe. Even though the name refers to patents (PATent LIBrary), the network also gives out information on trademarks and other intellectual property rights. By supporting innovations and the transfer and commercialisation of technology, the network also promotes competitiveness and economic growth all over Europe.
The PATLIB network consists of about 320 patent information centres, 13 of which are located in Finland. The centres work closely with the EPO, national patent offices and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). This provides the members of the network with the latest information on the development in the field. The national offices of countries that have joined the European Patent Convention coordinate the operation of the network in their own countries. In Finland, it is possible to become a member through the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH).
The PATLIB centres provide their customers with a variety of high-quality patent information services that are particularly aimed at SMEs, private inventors and higher education institutions. The centres have qualified and experienced staff who offer practical assistance on various IPR matters. Depending on the field of operation, the centres can also offer research and commercialisation services and training. Numerous educational establishments participate in the network. The PATLIB centres vary greatly in size, host organisation, financing, and service profile.
The EPO provides the PATLIB centres with regular training on current matters, access to a comprehensive bank of training materials, and useful contacts. The highlight of the year is a two-day PATLIB conference held every spring. The first day is typically open for everyone, and the second is dedicated to the network members. In addition, the EPO organises a Patent Knowledge Week online every autumn. During this event, you can follow lectures and discussions on current matters of your own choosing. The programme is also open to people outside the network.
PATLIB centres in Finland
The national PATLIB network in Finland consists of 13 official members. The network also collaborates with various other organisations. The Finnish Patent and Registration Office, the Foundation for Finnish Inventions, invention advisors, and innovation advisors at universities have had a well-functioning collaboration network in Finland since the 1990s. Today, this work is continued by higher education institutions and various other organisations. The network convenes regularly, both on Teams and face to face, to discuss current matters, receive and provide peer support, and ideate ways to promote patent information.
Espoo
Foundation for Finnish Inventions
Tekniikantie 12, Espoo
Tel. +358 40 674 5004
Website: www.keksintosaatio.fi/en
Email: info@keksintosaatio.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models and design protection
Services: information searches, training
Helsinki
Business Finland
Porkkalankatu 1, Helsinki
Tel. +358 50 413 4024
Website: www.businessfinland.fi/en
Email: olli-pekka.piirila@businessfinland.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models, design protection and copyright
Services: advisory services, financing services
Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) – Patent Library and Advisory Services
Sörnäisten rantatie 13 C, Helsinki
Tel. +358 29 509 5858
Website: www.prh.fi/en
Email: advice.patents@prh.fi; library@prh.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, utility models, trademarks and design protection
Services: information searches, advisory services, statistical analyses, training, patent clinics and library services
Intellisys Oy
Bomansonintie 7, Helsinki
Tel. +358 50 62471
Email: info@intellisys.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models, design protection and copyright
Services: information searches, advisory services, training services, services to commercialise inventions, services to estimate the economic value of inventions, services to develop IP strategy
Jyväskylä
Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre), Central Finland
Cygnaeuksenkatu 1, Jyväskylä
Tel. +358 29 502 4545
Website: www.ely-keskus.fi/en/web/ely-en
Email: jouni.hynynen@ely-keskus.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models, design protection and copyright
Services: advisory services, services to commercialise inventions, basic advisory on IPR for export companies
Kouvola
Kouvola Innovation
Paraatikenttä 4, Kouvola
Tel. +358 20 615 6365
Website: www.kinno.fi/en
Email: jukka.antila@kinno.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks and utility models
Services: advisory services, basic advisory services for start-ups, business sponsor service
XAMK South Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences – Creative Industries Research Unit
Paraatikenttä 7, Kouvola
Tel. +358 44 702 8761
Website: www.xamk.fi/en/rdi/creative-industries/
Email: ari.utriainen@xamk.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks and design protection
Services: information searches, lectures, advisory services to commercialise inventions: createch, brand identity and design
Kuopio
Savo Consortium for Education – Savo Vocational College
Sammakkolammentie 2 (P.O. Box 87), Kuopio
Tel. +358 44 785 3032
Website: www.sakky.fi/en
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models, design protection and copyright
Services: advisory services, lectures, information searches, user training, advisory services to commercialise inventions
Savonia University of Applied Sciences – Business Center
Microkatu 1, Kuopio
Websites: www.savonia.fi/en and www.bcpohjois-savo.fi/en
Email: kaija.saaski@savonia.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models, design protection and copyright
Services: information searches, advisory services, user training, lectures, services to estimate the economic value of inventions, advisory services to commercialise inventions
Lahti
LAB University of Applied Sciences
Mukkulankatu 19, Lahti
Tel. +358 50 475 9490
Website: www.lab.fi/en
Email: kusti.alasalmi@lab.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models, design protection and copyright
Services: advisory services, training, information searches
Mikkeli
XAMK South Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences – XENTRE, Research and Education unit for Business and Innovations
Patteristonkatu 3D, Mikkeli
Tel. +358 50 473 2393
Website: www.xamk.fi/en/xentre
Email: tomi.heimonen@xamk.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks and design protection
Services: information searches, lectures, advisory services on entrepreneurship and innovations
Oulu
University of Oulu, Innovation Center
Erkki Koiso-Kanttilan katu 1, Oulu
Tel. +358 40 355 9660
Website: www.oulu.fi/en
Email: Maarit.Jokela@oulu.fi
Industrial property rights: patents, trademarks, utility models and copyright
Services: advisory services, training events, lectures,advisory services to commercialise inventions, reading room and group work rooms, information and library services
Tampere
Tampere University, Innovation Services
Kalevantie 4, Tampere
Website: www.tuni.fi/en
Email: innovationservices@tuni.fi
Services: reading rooms and group work rooms, information and library services
Tampere University Library is an academic library open to all. The Derwent Innovation database is available for all users through the library network and terminals. In addition, the university community offers further services to support activities including research, development projects and diploma works.