9.11.2021

Hilma-Karoliina Markkanen Contributes Article on Finnish Fashion Law to Fashion Law 2021

Castrén & Snellman fashion law and intellectual property expert Hilma-Karoliina Markkanen has contributed an article on Finnish fashion law to Fashion Law 2021, which is a part of The Law Over Borders Comparative Guide published by The Global Legal Post. Fashion Law 2021 is an international comparative guide providing answers and insight into the law around the business of fashion from experts in fashion law in 18 jurisdictions around the world.

In her article, Hilma-Karoliina Markkanen provides guidance on how to protect products innovatively and effectively in Finland and on what to take into account in manufacturing, distribution or co-branding agreements in the fashion industry. She also discusses marketing and influencer marketing from a fashion industry perspective and takes a look at the selective distribution of high-end goods, in other words, how brand owners can limit where their products are sold. Another current topic covered in the article is sustainability and communicating sustainability in the fashion industry.

Read the article.

Hilma-Karoliina Markkanen has years of experience of intellectual property law and marketing law matters. In addition to assignments relating to domestic and international fashion law, she assists our clients in matters relating to industrial property rights and copyrights, contracts, and unfair competition. Hilma-Karoliina is vice president and a member of the board of the Finnish Fashion Law Association.

Latest references

We advised SRV Group plc when it sold its 50% holding in the Pearl Plaza shopping centre in St. Peterburg to CP Invest Limited. The sale was the final part of SRV’s actions to exit from all of its operations in Russia which began in 2022. The sales price of SRV´s ownership of the shopping centre was approximately 11 million euros. SRV is a Finnish developer and innovator in the construction industry. SRV was established in 1987 and is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
Case published 17.2.2025
We advised Valio Oy in its acquisition of Raisio Oyj’s plant protein business, related fixed assets and the Härkis® and Beanit® fava bean brands. The fixed assets include, among other things, the production equipment of the factory that makes plant protein products in Kauhava. The transaction supports Valio’s strategy to grow from a dairy company to a food company. This business acquisition will make us an even more significant developer and producer of plant-based protein products. The demand for these products will grow in the long term, and a great deal of growth potential still remains. In 2022, we acquired the Gold&Green® business and, since then, we have been carrying out strong product development and renewed the brand. Following successful product launches, sales in the last quarter of 2024 increased by about 50% from the previous quarter. With this acquisition, we are building our own production capacity. The production equipment of the Kauhava factory is just right for our needs and situation. says Kimmo Luoma, Valio’s Senior Vice President. Valio is a Finnish dairy and food company founded in 1905 and owned by Finnish dairy cooperatives. Valio has subsidiaries in Sweden, Estonia, the United States and China. In 2023, the Group had a turnover of EUR 2 278 million and more than 4 000 employees.
Case published 14.2.2025
We successfully represented Trety AB in a dispute and settlement negotiations concerning an agreement for development and production of communication devices for the healthcare sector. Eventually, the parties reached an amicable settlement to the full satisfaction of our client and thus the parties avoided an extensive arbitral proceeding. Trety AB is a global company that provides its customers with solutions for development, industrialization and production of electronics. Trety AB has over 30 years’ experience from IT, electronics and telecommunication industries.
Case published 11.2.2025
We advised a financier consortium including OP Corporate Bank plc, Nordea Bank Abp, and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB in a leveraged financing arrangement for Vexve, a company owned by DevCo Partners Oy. The financing included EUR 143 million acquisition, refinancing and other facilities for, among other things, the financing of Vexve’s acquisition of Denmark-based Frese A/S, a leading manufacturer of dynamic balancing valves for hydronic networks. Vexve’s combined turnover after the completion of the transaction will be ca. EUR 200 million. Vexve is the leading European provider of valve solutions for the energy sector and selected energy-intensive industries.
Case published 7.2.2025