Patents
Have you invented something or created a product and now you would like to commercially profit from it? The invention, in which you have invested time and money, is your property. Therefore you should protect it so that your competitors will not be able to reap the benefit of your work. The tools available for protecting your invention are patents and utility models.
A patent is an exclusive right that provides you the right to prohibit others from utilising your invention commercially. Commercial utilisation means for example manufacturing, selling, using, or importing a product. However, a patent does not automatically give the owner the right to utilise the invention commercially, as the owner may need permits granted by other authorities or by owners of other patents.
The Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) employs over 100 highly qualified examiners whose main task is to examine patent applications. In their work, the examiners use advanced tools and the very best databases. Most of them have a PhD degree. The quality of our work is constantly monitored and developed.
Capitalise on our expertise.
We provide you with a detailed examination, from which you can decide whether to apply for a patent in other countries.
What kind of inventions can be patented?
Read about our search services.
Apply for a Finnish patent at the PRH.
How to validate a European patent in Finland?
Read more about how to apply for a patent outside Finland.
Other possibilities to protect your rights
A utility model is an exclusive right like the patent to use an invention. It is primarily intended to protect simpler device and product inventions and can be an appropriate form of protection, if:
- you need protection fast,
- a 10-year protection period is enough.
A trademark is a symbol that distinguishes the goods and services of a company.
Design right protects the appearance of a product or a part of a product.
Current affairs
- Changes in PCT fees from 1 January 2025
- EUIPO announcement: Study of online copyright infringement in the European Union
- New authentication solution to replace EPO smart cards now available in our patent services
- The Finnish Patent and Registration Office’s (PRH) telephone exchange, customer service point and telephone service are closed from 5 November 2024 at 13.00
- EPO study: Finland ranks 4th in Europe for academic patents per capita