Kesko Oyj (HEL:KESAV) K-sign Admitted To The List Of Trademarks With A Reputation

Kesko Oyj (HEL:KESAV) KESKO CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 18.12.2008 AT 11.00 1(1)

Kesko's K-sign has been admitted to the List of Trademarks with a Reputation kept by the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (NBPR). Admission to the list of trademarks well-known in Finland is by application. Admission to the list is based on strong evidence of a trademark's wide recognition in Finland.

The list is public and aimed to provide information and help avoid trademark disputes. Being admitted to the list also offers a well-known brand additional protection across trademark classes. Previously in a dispute, a trademark had to be proved to have a reputation.

The NBPR initiated the List of Trademarks with a Reputation in August 2007. In addition to the K-sign, the list currently includes 13 trademarks, for example, Pirkka, Paulig and Finlayson.

The K-sign has a long history. In 1941, its control was transferred from Kauppiaitten Keskuskunta to Kesko. First it was not used in advertising and publicity, but was combined with the Kesko name early the next year. In 1946, the K-sign was chosen as a symbol of Kesko's shareholder retailers. The K-sign was adopted by retailers the following year, when it was simultaneously attached to store windows throughout the country on 6 March 1947. The K-sign continues to play an important role as the symbol of the K-Group and Kesko, and in the names of the store chains.

Logos and photos can be downloaded from http://aineistopankki.kesko.fi/kesko_en.

Further information: Brand Director Anne Laakso, Kesko Corporation, Corporate Communications and Responsibility, tel. +358 1053 22721

Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a retail specialist whose stores offer quality to the daily lives of consumers. Kesko has about 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus.

This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Kesko Oyj

http://www.kesko.fi

ISIN: FI0009007900

Stock Identifier: XHEL.KESAV