Intellectual Property Laws at Finland
Finland has a well-developed and robust Intellectual Property (IP) system, fully aligned with European Union (EU) laws, international treaties, and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) standards. IP in Finland is protected by a combination of national legislation, EU regulations, and international agreements.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Intellectual Property Laws in Finland:
Intellectual Property Protection in Finland
| IP Type | Registration Required? | Duration | Governing Law / Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright | ❌ (automatic) | Life of author + 70 years | Copyright Act (1961) |
| Trademarks | ✅ | 10 years, renewable | Trademarks Act (2019), EU Trademark Reg. |
| Patents | ✅ | 20 years from filing | Patents Act (1967), European Patent Office |
| Utility Models | ✅ | 10 years | Utility Model Act (1991) |
| Industrial Designs | ✅ | Up to 25 years | Registered Designs Act (1971), EU Design Reg. |
| Trade Secrets | ❌ | Indefinite (if secret) | Trade Secrets Act (2018), EU Directive |
📚 1. Copyright
What it protects: Literary and artistic works – books, music, films, software, photos, architecture, etc.
Registration: Not required – protection is automatic upon creation.
Duration: Life of the author + 70 years.
Related rights: Includes performers, producers, and broadcasters.
Governing law: Copyright Act (1961), with several amendments.
EU Directive compliance: Fully harmonized with EU copyright directives.
Enforcement: Through civil and criminal courts; possible to seek injunctions and damages.
®️ 2. Trademarks
What it protects: Logos, brand names, slogans, sounds, colors, etc., that distinguish goods or services.
Registration: ✅ Required for full protection.
National: Through the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH).
EU-wide: Through EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office).
International: Through Madrid System (via WIPO).
Duration: 10 years, renewable indefinitely.
Governing law: Trademarks Act (2019).
💡 3. Patents
What it protects: New inventions that are novel, inventive, and industrially applicable.
Registration: ✅ Required.
National: Via PRH.
European Patent: Via the European Patent Office (EPO).
International: Via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Duration: 20 years from the filing date.
Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC): Possible 5-year extension for pharmaceuticals and plant protection products.
Governing law: Patents Act (1967).
⚙️ 4. Utility Models
What it protects: Technical inventions with a lower level of inventiveness than patents.
Registration: ✅ Required through PRH.
Duration: Up to 10 years (4 years + two extensions).
Faster and cheaper alternative to patent protection.
Governing law: Utility Model Act (1991).
🎨 5. Industrial Designs
What it protects: Visual appearance of products – shape, pattern, color, etc.
Registration: ✅ Required.
National: Through PRH.
EU-wide: Through EUIPO (Community Design).
Duration: 5 years, renewable every 5 years up to 25 years.
Unregistered Design: Also protected for 3 years under EU law.
Governing law: Registered Designs Act (1971) and EU Design Regulation.
🧬 6. Plant Varieties
What it protects: New plant varieties that are distinct, uniform, and stable.
Registration:
National: Through the Finnish Food Authority.
EU-wide: Through the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO).
Duration: Up to 25–30 years, depending on species.
🧠 7. Geographical Indications (GIs)
What it protects: Products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities due to that origin (e.g., Lapland cheese).
Registration: Through the EU GI system (e.g., PDO, PGI).
Duration: Indefinite, as long as criteria are met.
🤐 8. Trade Secrets
What it protects: Business information that is confidential and gives a competitive edge.
Registration: ❌ Not applicable.
Protection: Via contracts (NDAs), employment agreements, and Trade Secrets Act (2018).
Duration: Indefinite, as long as secrecy is maintained.
Based on: EU Trade Secrets Directive (2016/943).
🏛️ Administration & Enforcement
| IP Area | Authority/Office |
|---|---|
| Trademarks | PRH (Patent and Registration Office of Finland) |
| Patents | PRH, European Patent Office (EPO) |
| Designs | PRH, EUIPO |
| Copyright | Ministry of Education and Culture |
| Plant Varieties | Finnish Food Authority, CPVO |
| Enforcement | Finnish Courts (specialized commercial courts) |
Finland also uses customs enforcement to prevent the importation of counterfeit goods, in cooperation with EU border protection laws.
🌍 International & Regional Treaties
Finland is a party to multiple international agreements, including:
WIPO treaties (Berne, Paris, Madrid, PCT, Hague, etc.)
WTO/TRIPS
European Patent Convention (EPC)
EU IP Framework (Regulations and Directives on Trademarks, Designs, Copyright, GIs, etc.)
✅ Summary Snapshot
| IP Type | Registration Required | Duration | Governing Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright | ❌ | Life + 70 years | Ministry of Culture |
| Trademark | ✅ | 10 yrs (renewable) | PRH / EUIPO |
| Patent | ✅ | 20 years | PRH / EPO |
| Utility Model | ✅ | Up to 10 years | PRH |
| Industrial Design | ✅ | Up to 25 years | PRH / EUIPO |
| Trade Secret | ❌ | Indefinite | Civil law & courts |
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