Since Finland is a “first to file” jurisdiction, trademark registration is required to get rights to a trademark. Only exceptional circumstances allow for the protection of unregistered trademarks. The Finnish Patent and Registration Office must receive the trademark applications (PRH).
The European Union Trademarks (EUTM) are protected in Finland because it is a member of the EU. Additionally, it belongs to the Madrid Protocol. As a result, this nation can extend international trademark registration via the Madrid System.
In the Land Islands, a trademark registered in Finland, whether locally or through the European Union, is also protected.
Trademark Registration Process
A written application for trademark registration must be submitted to the PRH. You can submit an application for a trademark via the online form provided by PRH or a paper form available in Finnish and Swedish.
The trademark for which registration is sought must be included in the application. If more than one mark is suggested, individual applications for each mark must be submitted.
A word mark, a figure mark, or a combination mark can all be used as the proposed trademark. If the proposed trademark is a figure mark or combination mark, a picture of it must be submitted together with ten copies, each no larger than 8 x 8 cm. All the colors must be mentioned in the application if the mark is intended to be registered in shades other than black and white. However, any color combination may use a mark registered in black and white.
To submit the application, the applicant must pay the application fee.
The applicant or a representative must sign the printed application. You can mail or attach a copy of your application to an email and send it to PRH. There is no requirement that the original application is sent. A copy of the application fee receipt must accompany the application.
The representative must represent the foreign applicant in all areas of the trademark if the applicant has neither a home nor a registered office in Finland. Therefore, the application must include the representative’s name, residence or registered Office, and address. A power of attorney must also be included with the application.
PRH shall register the trademark in the Register of Trademarks and give public notice thereof if the application satisfies the standards to which it is subject and if no impediment to registration has surfaced in connection with it.
A registered trademark is legally protected as of the application filing date.
Period to Oppose
In Finland, trademark applications are reviewed by the Office for formal and registrability compliance and a search for earlier, comparable trademarks. The publication of a trademark follows a positive examination. Any interested person may dispute a Finnish trademark within two months of the day the trademark registration was published.
Validity Period
In Finland, there is no grant cost for trademark registration. For trademarks filed on or after May 1, 2019, the registration in Finland is valid for ten years from the filing date. A trademark’s validity for registrations made before May 1, 2019, is ten years. For ten years, trademarks can be renewed. If the surcharge is paid, requests for trademark renewal can be made up to a year before the registration expires or during the grace period of six months following the expiration date.
Requirement of Use
If a trademark in Finland is not used within five years of registration or is not used for five years straight after that, it may be subject to cancellation.
Also, get in touch with us for Patent registration in Finland.