Features of Finnish invention patent application process

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

no

• via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
• Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
• EU appearance route: 6 months from the earliest priority date.

2-2.5 years

yes. Multiple designs may be included in one design.

no

• Grant fee: The applicant shall pay the granted announcement fee within 2 months after receiving the official notification.
• Annuity: The annual fee will be paid year by year starting from the third year (including the first-third year annual fee). Overdue annual fee can be paid within a grace period of 6 months, and a 20% late fee will be paid at the same time.

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.

• Grant fee: The applicant shall pay the granted announcement fee within 2 months after receiving the official notification.
• Annuity: The annual fee can be paid once every 5 years, and the annual fee can be paid within a grace period of 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, and a 20% penalty should be paid at the same time.