Tiina Orre

SuperOffice – Acquisition of Lyyti

We acted as Finnish counsel to SuperOffice AS, backed by Axcel, in its acquisition of Lyyti Oy from Finnish private equity firm Vaaka Partners and other sellers. Lyyti is a leading event management software company for physical, digital and hybrid events with a strong customer base in Finland, Sweden and France. SuperOffice is a leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) software for small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Europe. Axcel is a Nordic private equity firm with a focus on technology, business services and industrials, healthcare, and consumer sectors.

9.12.2025

BMW AG – Enforcement of BMW’s trademark and design rights

We successfully represented BMW in an exceptionally long dispute over whether the spare rims sold by the defendant and the hub caps included in them infringed BMW’s trademark and design rights. The Market Court found that the sign used by the defendant caused a likelihood of confusion with BMW’s trademarks. The defendant had used the sign on the hub caps and in the marketing of the hub caps and rims, leading the Market Court to find that the defendant had infringed BMW’s trademark rights. The defendant admitted to infringing BMW’s Community design but denied the related injunction claim. However, the Market Court found that there was no particular reason to refrain from issuing an injunction. The Market Court prohibited the defendant from continuing to infringe BMW’s trademarks and Community design and ordered the defendant to alter or destroy the products and marketing materials that infringed BMW’s rights. Furthermore, the Market Court ordered the defendant to pay BMW EUR 70,000 in reasonable compensation and EUR 80,000 in damages for the trademark infringements, as well as EUR 7,000 in reasonable compensation and EUR 8,000 in damages for the design right infringement. The amounts can be considered exceptionally high in Finland. Additionally, the Market Court ordered the defendant to pay a significant portion of BMW’s legal costs with interest on late payment. In its decision of 11 March 2025, the Supreme Court of Finland did not grant the defendant leave to appeal, and also decided that there was no need to seek a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union. Thus, the Market Court’s judgements (MAO:494/18 and 517/2023) are final. In addition to the main dispute, BMW demanded in a separate proceeding that one of the defendant’s trademark registrations be revoked. A total of three separate legal proceedings were conducted in the Market Court regarding the revocation. The defendant’s trademark registration was ultimately revoked.

9.5.2025

DNA – Global brand portfolio management and IP enforcement

We are advising DNA Plc in brand protection and intellectual property enforcement matters globally. Our intellectual property team manages DNA’s global trademark portfolio, including registration, prosecution, opposition and enforcement. We also advise DNA in questions concerning consumer and marketing law, unfair competition, social media, domain names and cybersquatting. DNA Plc is one of Finland’s leading telecommunication companies. DNA offers connections, services and devices for homes and workplaces, contributing to the digitalisation of society. The company has approximately 3.7 million subscriptions in its fixed and mobile communications networks. In 2024, DNA’s total revenue was EUR 1,100 million, and the company employs about 1,600 people around Finland. DNA is part of Telenor Group.

7.5.2025

ONSE sport drink – Dispute concerning alleged trademark infringement

We successfully represented Onses Finland Oy before the Finnish Market Court in an exceptionally extensive dispute concerning alleged trademark infringement and unfair business practice. Our client, Onses Finland Oy, is a Finnish sports drink company and the owner of the sports drink brand ONSE. In the spring of 2023, the Polish beverage company OSHEE Polska Sp. z o.o. filed legal action against our client, alleging that the ONSE trademarks and product packaging infringed the OSHEE trademarks. The plaintiff’s secondary claims concerned alleged slavish imitation of the OSHEE sports drink packaging and exploitation of the reputation of the plaintiff. The plaintiff based its suit on registered trademarks as well as allegedly established and reputed figurative and three-dimensional trademarks. The Market Court rejected all of the plaintiff’s claims. The Market Court held that the marks invoked in the suit were neither established nor marks with a reputation in Finland. As regards the registered trademarks, the Market Court found that there was no likelihood of confusion between the OSHEE and ONSE trademarks. As to the secondary claims, the Market Court held that the sports drink packaging used by the plaintiff was a normal beverage bottle, the design of which was partly determined by functional factors. The Market Court also found that there were several blue sports drinks available on the market and that the plaintiff’s product was not the first blue sports drink on the market. The plaintiff failed to show that its product packaging was original or well-known to the average consumer at the time of the launch of our client’s ONSE sports drink product, and the Market Court thus rejected the claims on slavish imitation and exploitation of reputation. The Market Court ordered the plaintiff to pay all of our client’s legal costs with statutory interest. In its decision of 28 March 2025, the Supreme Court of Finland did not grant OSHEE Polska leave to appeal. Thus, the Market Court’s judgment (MAO:280/2024) is final.

4.4.2025

Anora Group – Global Brand Portfolio Management and IP Enforcement

We are advising Anora Group in brand protection and intellectual property enforcement matters globally. Our IP team manages Anora Group’s global trademark and design portfolio, including registration, prosecution, opposition and enforcement. We also advise Anora Group in questions concerning marketing law, social media, domain names and cybersquatting. Anora Group Plc is a publicly listed company. It was born in 2021 through the merger of the Finnish Altia Oyj and the Norwegian Arcus ASA. Anora Group is a leading wine and spirits brand house in the Nordic Region and a global industry forerunner in sustainability. Anora Group has a large portfolio of iconic brands such as Koskenkorva, Linie, Larsen, Skagerrak, Chill Out, Ruby Zin, Wongraven, O.P. Anderson and Falling Feather. Its key brands are exported to over 30 markets globally.

28.1.2025

Tactic Games Oy – Protection and enforcement of trademarks

We represent the Tactic Games Oy, a leading international developer and manufacturer of board games, as lead counsel in its global brand protection, EU-wide customs enforcement and trademark disputes concerning the famous MÖLKKY trademark. MÖLKKY is an award-winning outdoor game marketed and sold in Europe, Australia, USA and Canada. The Tactic Games Oy has been the exclusive distributor of the MÖLKKY game since 2010, and it purchased the manufacturing and intellectual property rights for the game from Lahden Työn Paikka Oy in January 2017. Tactic’s product portfolio includes also other well-known games, such as Kimble, Alias and iKNOW.

15.1.2025

Alma Media – Brand Protection and Enforcement

We are advising Alma Media Corporation and its group companies in trade mark and other intellectual property right protection and infringement matters as well as in questions relating to brand portfolio management. We have also been involved in creating the brand strategy for the company and have handled marketing law and domain issues. Alma Media is a dynamic multi-channel media company with a strong capacity for renewal. The best-known brands of the company include Kauppalehti, Talouselämä, Affärsvärlden, Iltalehti, Aamulehti, Etuovi.com and Monster.

9.1.2025

Valio – Global Brand Portfolio Management and IP Enforcement

We are advising Valio in brand protection and intellectual property enforcement matters globally. Our IP team manages Valio’s global trademark, design and copyright portfolio, including registration, prosecution, opposition and enforcement. We also advise Valio in questions concerning IP licensing, consumer and marketing law, social media, domain names and cybersquatting, and food sector regulation. Valio is Finland’s biggest dairy business and food exporter with EUR 1.7 billion annual net sales. Valio’s products are found in some 60 countries and account for 25% of Finland’s total food exports. The company’s R&D work follows the footsteps of Nobel Prize winner A.I. Virtanen, and Valio has some 4,200 employees around the world. The Valio brand has been regularly recognised as one of the most valued brands in Finland. Other well-known and beloved brands of Valio include, among others, AURA, OLTERMANNI, POLAR and OIVARIINI.

3.1.2025

Valio and C&S – Sustainable everyday life is created through bold reforms

Valio is a food company with the courage to change with the times. Valio’s road to growth and towards the innovative transformation of the food industry is supported by its long-standing business law partner, Castrén & Snellman. Juha Hölttä became Valio’s General Counsel at a time when the company kicked its new strategy into a higher gear. ‘In the past two years we have made several significant market initiatives and expanded our business from food production to other areas of the value chain. By acquiring Heinon Tukku, we now provide a new kind of added value to restaurants and professional kitchens through our Valio Aimo ® wholesale business. And our joint venture with St1, Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, will enable us to reach our goal of turning manure into biogas for heavy transportation,’ Hölttä describes some of the milestones of the new strategy. In addition to expanding into new business areas, Valio continues to build a more sustainable dairy business alongside seeking international growth from plant-based products. Valio has invested in the international growth of its Oddlygood ® brand through incorporation and gained additional product development expertise through the acquisition of Gold&Green. Carbon footprint of milk reduced by new business operations Dairy products are at the core of Valio’s business, and the company develops this strong foundation not only through product innovation but also at the beginning of the food chain. ‘Who could have foreseen that dairy farm manure could become one way of tackling climate challenges? Our planned biogas plants will use manure and agricultural by-products to produce renewable liquefied biogas for use as transportation fuel,’ says Hölttä. ‘Valio is aiming for a carbon-neutral milk chain by 2035. We are making major reforms in our operations in order to make this happen.’ The sustainability programme for Valio’s 3,700 dairy farms has been expanded, and it now includes the preventive and systematic healthcare of cows as well as actions related to grazing, the climate and biodiversity. ‘Appreciation for locally produced food is on the rise, which means that sustainability questions are local as well. This is a good trend, as it makes it easier for us to make a difference.’ ‘Strategic help even in difficult circumstances’ The service-mindedness of lawyers is key in implementing a growth strategy. Castrén & Snellman Attorneys is a long-standing partner of Valio, and the relationship between the two is tight. ‘At Valio, we are always exploring new business opportunities, and us lawyers are tasked with assessing these opportunities. My philosophy as the General Counsel is that my door is always open. Together we can evaluate how to solve and implement new initiatives. In this job, you must be curious, broad-minded and business-oriented,’ summarises Hölttä. Hölttä’s legal team of five people is supported by experts from Castrén & Snellman. The key to successful partnership is that both parties are familiar with each other’s business operations and ways of working. ‘Castrén & Snellman knows us well, and they maintain an up-to-date overview of our situation, which I highly appreciate. It means that we are able to tackle tricky situations together quickly even in difficult circumstances.’ A joint fast reaction was needed, for example, when Valio exited the Russian market after the country launched its war of aggression on Ukraine. ‘The responsible thing was to leave quickly but in a controlled manner and by repatriating our investment as opposed to leaving an operational food production facility in the hands of a country that was waging war.’ A shared vision of sustainability Valio – Together we make life better A Finnish food company Approx. 4,600 employees Owned by 13 Finnish dairy cooperatives Finland’s most sustainable brand in the Sustainable Brand Index study Read more about sustainability at Valio Castrén & Snellman – Building sustainable success stories Forerunner of demanding legal services 300 employees Owned by its partners ‘We help our clients build sustainable success stories and achieve their sustainability goals.’ Read more about sustainability at Castrén & Snellman Shared success stories of Valio and C&S Global Brand Portfolio Management and IP Enforcement Purchase of Gold&Green’s Brand, IPR and R&D Function Joint Venture for Biogas Production with St1 Sale of Russian Operations Acquisition of Heinon Tukku Significant Growth Funding Round Competition Damages Case Defending Against Environmental Permit Challenge at the Appellate Level

4.5.2023

Peptonic Medical – Acquisition of Majority Stake in Lune Group

We advised Peptonic Medical AB (publ), a Swedish medical development company, in the acquisition of a majority stake in Lune Group Oy Ltd, a Finnish company that sells the Lunette menstrual cup. The acquisition allows Peptonic to grow and expand its product portfolio by enabling the merger of two strong women’s health and selfcare brands with several synergies. In addition, the acquisition gives Peptonic access to a global distribution network that is already up and running, including in the United States. Peptonic is listed on the Spotlight Stock Market in Stockholm, Sweden. Lune Group was founded in 2005 by CEO Heli Kurjanen and has earned its place as a top global menstrual cup company through its continued focus on quality, safety, sustainability and inclusivity. Lune Group Oy Ltd has a subsidiary in North America. The completion of the acquisition is subject to certain customary conditions and is expected to occur during June 2020.

18.5.2020

BMW AG – Enforcement of Trade Mark and Registered Community Designs

We are acting for BMW AG in a trade mark and community design infringement case against a major rim distributor and reseller in Finland. After confirming the bulk of our client’s infringement claims, the Market Court is now moving on to the damages phase of the case. First, however, the court in mid-March issued its decision on our client’s document and information production claims. The court upheld our claims and ordered the defendant to disclose accounting materials, purchase and sale figures, supply chain data and other information. The Market Court’s order also has wider implications beyond just the case at hand. The Market Court very rarely issues formal document production orders, so the court’s holding is important in outlining the scope of such orders. The Market Court also rejected a number of arguments raised by the defendant which makes it significant in terms of the defences available to defendants in document production matters. The Market Court’s order is likely to be very happy news to IP proprietors and claimants in Finland. Traditionally, the Finnish courts have taken a very restrictive approach to document production orders. The Market Court’s order is an important step in the gradual liberalisation of case law. Finland is still a long way from US-style discovery proceedings, however. Note that the decision is still subject to appeal. The order is available in Finnish on the court’s website .

17.4.2019

OptoFidelity – Sale of OptoFidelity to Changyuan Group

We acted as the legal advisor to the shareholders of OptoFidelity Oy in the sale of all the shares in OptoFidelity Oy to Changyuan Group Ltd (China). OptoFidelity is driven by a passion to innovate and design test and production solutions for mobile devices, sensors and electronics used in smart devices. The company is a global partner for several industry-leading companies. The company is headquartered in Tampere, Finland, with offices in Oulu, Finland, as well as subsidiaries in Silicon Valley, CA, Redmond, WA, and Shenzhen, China. Changyuan Group Ltd is a high-tech enterprise set up by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1986, specialising in R&D, manufacturing and service of EV-related materials, intelligent plant equipment and solutions, and smart grid equipment. The company is a global partner for several industry-leading companies. The company headquartered is in Shenzhen, China.

5.9.2017

BBS – Enforcement of BBS Trade Mark

We successfully represented BBS GmbH, a leading light alloy wheel manufacturer, in a trade mark dispute before the Market Court. The issue was whether a Finnish company had infringed the BBS trade mark by marketing and selling wheels and hub caps under a stylised 885 symbol. The Market Court upheld our infringement claim, prohibiting the defendant from continuing or repeating the infringement and ordering the defendant to pay reasonable compensation to our client. The Market Court rejected the defence that a disclaimer on the defendant’s website was sufficient to remove the infringement, holding that there could still be post-sale confusion among third parties who see the 885 mark in use on a wheel. In considering the similarity of the marks, the Market Court took into account that the number 8 resembles the letter B and the number 5 resembles the letter S, especially given their visual presentation. The ruling became final in spring 2017.

15.6.2017

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