Apply for a patent outside Finland

A patent granted in Finland gives you the exclusive right to commercially exploit your invention, but it only applies in Finland. If you want to capitalize on your invention in other countries as well, you have to protect it internationally.

How?

You can file an application directly with a patent office in another country, or you can use a regional patent system, such as the European patent. You can also file a single international patent application under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty), which enables you to simultaneously seek protection for an invention in several countries. However, there is no global patent, and filing one application does not give you the exclusive right to exploit your invention commercially across the whole world.

When?

It is not necessary to file your applications in other countries on the same day you file your national Finnish application. However, you should file them within one year from the filing day for your first application, to be able to claim priority from this first application.