GP-kOulutus got a trademark

The University of Oulu organizes a training called GP-kOulutus, which is intended for physicians or medical students specializing in general medicine. The training has been granted a trademark in Finland.

The two-year training is voluntary and focuses on the core international areas of general medicine. The course has been held since 2008 and is currently being held for the ninth and tenth time. This time there are two groups.

“This was the first time that all those who wanted to participate couldn’t even fit into the training, even though there are two groups. Popularity has increased. The course specifically provides practical tools for specializing in general medicine, and this may be the reason for the popularity,” says Markku Timonen, who is responsible for postgraduate education in general medicine at Oulu University Hospital.

According to Timonen, GP-kOulutus was trademarked because it has a long tradition in Oulu. In addition, similar-style training with similar usage theories is not organized elsewhere in Finland, so the trademark was seen as useful.

“If a course is to be held elsewhere, it must be different from the training we organize,” Timonen summarizes.

What does the trademark mean, Innovation Centre’s Innovation Agent Maarit Jokela?

A trademark is an identifier that allows the consumer to distinguish a good or service from others. A trademark can be, for example, a word, a pattern, a slogan, or a combination of them. The proprietor of a trade mark has the exclusive right to use the mark as a symbol of a good or service. It's part of creating a company brand."

You can see the information of the trademark from the Trademark Information Service.