Features of the Finnish Utility Model Patent Application Process

no

20 years

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

yes

The novelty of the invention will not be lost if the information about the invention is disclosed within 6 months before the filing date or the priority date if the following conditions are met:

• Disclosure due to apparent misuse by the applicant or its predecessor owners
• The invention is disclosed at an official or officially recognized international exhibition

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

no

Initial protection for 5 years. It can be renewed 4 times, each time for 5 years, with a maximum protection of 25 years. If the design is part of a complex product and is used to restore the integrity of the product, it is valid for a maximum of 15 years from the filing date.