Jani Kaulo is an internationally recognized trademark expert (WTR 1000 and MIP Trademark Star).
Jani has strong expertise in international brand protection and contractual matters for companies. He has 20 years of experience in brand rights jurisprudence in Finland, Europe, and beyond, particularly in Asian markets.
Jani assists companies with international agreements and represents clients in trademark disputes before national and EU courts, the Finnish Patent and Registration Office, and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Jani advises and assists companies of all sizes in the strategic management of brand rights, matters related to copyright and trade secrets and conducts IPR due diligence reviews for companies that are targets of mergers, acquisitions, and venture capital investments.
Throughout his career, Jani has represented over 200 global trademark holders in product counterfeiting seizures at Finnish Customs. He also serves as an advisor to startups and growth companies.
Among clients, Jani is regarded as a responsible and trustworthy advocate for their interests. During his career, Jani has successfully represented clients in many demanding and remarkable infringement cases. Most recently, together with Maria Puronvarsi, he successfully represented a German bearing manufacturer in the case C 772/18, which concerned product counterfeiting and trademark infringement and proceeded through the Supreme Court all the way to the Court of Justice of the European Union, and was selected as the impact case of year 2020 in Finland.
Areas of Expertise
Trademarks, design rights, domain names, trade names, copyrights, anti-counterfeiting, trade secrets, contracts, brand rights strategy.
Client Testimonials
- "Founding partner Jani Kaulo is known for his exceptional insight and approachability, possessing a profound understanding of the intricacies surrounding his clients' wants and business needs. Committed to delivering transparent and direct guidance, he empowers his clients to navigate complex decisions easily and quickly. His ability to align legal strategies with business goals makes him an invaluable asset to those he represents." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2026
- "Jani Kaulo provides international names with all-encompassing portfolio management and leads enforcement actions. Called upon by a spectrum of brand owners from various sectors, he is particularly renowned among those in the food and beverage, technology, sports, and entertainment industries." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2025
- "Jani Kaulo is known among his trademark lawyer colleagues as a remarkable figure capable of devising creative strategies." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2024
- "Seasoned attorney Jani Kaulo is dedicated to building long-lasting relationships with clients through providing the highest quality trademark service. Kaulo excels in anti-counterfeiting and global portfolio management and is a well-versed advocate before the Finnish and EU courts." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2023
- "Jani Kaulo excels at hard-core enforcement matters. He has orchestrated seizures of counterfeit goods for over 200 global brand owners and is a superb advocate before the Finnish and EU courts." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2022
- "Jani Kaulo has a solution to any problem – his rich experience, effective communication and practical advice set him apart from other attorneys." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2020
- "If there is any possible solution to a branding issue, Jani Kaulo will find it." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2019
- "Jani Kaulo is one of the most professional and responsible colleagues I have worked with." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2019
- "Jani Kaulo always replies to emails and keeps you informed, it really makes you feel secure. Creative and analytical, he is also very practical and efficient." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2019
- "Jani Kaulo has rich experience and outstanding communication skills, and provides a more prompt and practical service than attorneys at other firms." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2018
- "Jani Kaulo makes the customer feel that its interests are protected and that he wants to serve the customer." - Managing Intellectual Property 2017 IP Stars
- "Jani Kaulo is an authority on protecting intellectual property in East Asia where clients value his rich experience, smart communication and prompt responses." - World Trademark Review (WTR1000), 2017
Lawyer Career
- Kaulo & Partners, Licensed Legal Counsels, Ltd., Managing Partner, Co-founder 2021-
- Kolster Ltd., IP Lawyer 2012-2017, Associate Partner 2017, Partner 2018-2021
- Juridia, Attorneys-at-law, Ltd. (currently Eversheds Attorneys Ltd.), Associate 2008, Attorney-at-law 2009
- Heinonen & Co Oy, Attorneys-at-law, Ltd., Associate 2007-2008
- Castrén & Snellman, Attorneys-at-law, Ltd., Trainee 2004, Associate 2005-2007
Education and Qualifications
- European trademark and design attorney 2015
- Authorized trademark attorney 2014
- MBA, University of Bolton 2012
- Finnish Bar Exam 2009
- Master of Laws, University of Turku 2004
International Recognitions
- Leading Trademark Professional in Finland 2016–2026, World Trademark Review (WTR 1000)
- Trademark Star 2023-2026, Managing Intellectual Property (MIP)
- Leading IP expert in Finland 2021-2024, WIPR Leaders (World IP Review)
- Leading trademark expert in Finland 2023, Who’s Who Legal (WWL)
Fiduciary Positions
- ECTA: Member of the China Task Force 2018-2020, Member of the Supervisory Board 2019-2023, Member of the International Trade Committee 2020-2023
- Finland-South East Asia Business Association: Member of the Board 2015-, Vice-Chairman 2017, Chairman 2018-
Publications in English
- IP for Europe's Next Brands, 2015, The Handbook of European Intellectual Property Management, 4th edition, Kogan Page, UK
- Seizure of Counterfeit Goods at the Finnish Custom, Sep 26, 2013, IPRinfo 3/2013
- Establishment of a Foreign-Investment Enterprise in the People's Republic of China, 2005, Multikustannus, Finland
Client Industries
- Automotive
- Communications and media
- Consumer goods
- Financial services
- ICT
- Media and entertainment
- Public services
- Health care
- Industrial equipment
- Software
- Pharmaceuticals & medical products
- Utilities / cleantech
- Telecommunications
- Fashion
- Food and beverages
- Education export
IPR Sector Memberships
- Association of Finnish Patent Attorneys
- Finnish AIPPI Group – International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property
- FICPI – International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys
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