What are the requirements for the utility model application documents in Finland?

PRH conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patents. In Finland, the substantive examination of patent applications starts automatically without filing a specific request. Generally, it takes 8 months for PRH to issue the first office action notification, and the applicant needs to reply to the office action within 2-4 months. Patent granted can be obtained if the granted conditions are met.

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on the grounds of "due care".

The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.

Examination of form only. The utility model application is examined for compliance with formal requirements, uniformity and registrability. If there is no special requirement, no novelty review will be conducted. The applicant can submit a request for delay in grant within 2 months from the filing date/priority date, and the grant can be delayed for 15 months at the latest.

5 months

The initial protection period is 4 years from the filing date, and can be renewed twice, 4 years and 2 years respectively, up to 10 years.

Formal examination and substantive examination are required. Substantive examination begins automatically, without the need to submit a specific request.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant

• Grant fee: The applicant shall pay the granted fee within 2 months after receiving the granted notice.
• Annuity: The annual fee for the first to fourth years is included in the application fee. After the granted, the annual fee will be paid from the fifth year and paid once every three years. It must be paid on the last day of the month of the application date. If the annual fee is overdue, it can be paid within a grace period of 6 months, but a late fee of 50.00 euros will be charged.