Trademark Registration in Finland

With a significantly reduced registration timeframe from the filing date, obtaining the recognition of a trademark in Finland is quite advantageous. Specifically, the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) issues the registration certificate in an average time of 2 months.

Quick Facts
Trademark registration service availability (YES/NO)	Yes, our Finnish lawyers can represent clients in the trademark registration procedure.
Applicable law	Trademarks Act.
Trademark types	Simple, generic, 3-D, collective, service, and collective marks can be registered in Finland.
Types of registration procedures	National, at the EU and international level.
Option to register company name as trademark (YES/NO)	Yes, trading names can be registered as trademarks in Finland.
Possibility to register a domain name as a trademark (YES/NO)	Yes.
Online registration possibility (YES/NO)	Yes, online registration is also available.
Steps	– documents preparation and filing, – examination, – registration and publication, – 2-month opposition period after publication.
Documents	– application form, – details of the registrant, – mark description and services/products it represents, – power of attorney for representation.
Registration authority	Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH).
Trademark examination duration (approx.)	Approx. 2 months.
Timeframe to obtain registration certificate (approx.)	3 to 4 months.
Total duration of trademark registration process (approx.)	7 – 8 months.
Finnish trademark validity	The validity of the trademark is 10 years.
Renewal requirements	Renewal can be filed no earlier than 1 year before expiry and no later than 6 months after expiry (with a surcharge).

If you decide on trademark registration in Finland, read below what the process entails. Should you need representation, our Finnish lawyers are at your service.

Trademark registration procedures in Finland

Finland is a highly digitalized country, as such, trademark applications can be filed online on the website of the Patent Office. However, there is also the possibility of submitting the documents via postal services.

No matter the type of procedure you use, our lawyers in Finland can offer representation through a power of attorney, especially if you are a foreigner.

Speaking of procedures, trademarks in Finland can be registered:

at a national level;
at an EU level;
an international level.

We recommend starting with the national registration process, as the other ones will imply only recognition after. International trademark protection can be useful if you open a company in Finland and want to register the trading name as a mark.

Types of trademarks you can register in Finland

Letters, digits, words, colors, signs, logos, and any combination of them can be registered as a mark in Finland, as long as they comply with the Intellectual Property Laws. However, trademarks are also categorized into:

generic;
service;
3-dimensional;
single;
collective.

Our law firm in Finland is at your service with detailed information and support on choosing the appropriate form of your trademark.

Trademark verification in Finland

Given the quick trademark registration process in Finland, the verification of the desired mark is recommended, as it can help you predict any possible rejections from the Finnish Patent Office.

Our lawyers can perform the necessary due diligence in relation to the mark you want to register and let you know whether you can submit the documents in the actual form or if you need to make changes. This way, you will avoid oppositions being made against your trademark. Another benefit that is often overlooked when it comes to registering a trademark in Finland is that if there are no problems with the sign, you can benefit from a priority application if your mark has already been approved in another country.

Documents required for trademark registration in Finland

To secure a filing date, you need to prepare the following documents:

the application form;
your details (depending on whether you are a natural person (Finnish or foreign citizen) or company representative, the required information will vary);
a description of the goods/services the mark will represent;
a representation of the mark;
proof of payment of the registration fee;
a power of attorney (in case you decide appoint our Finnish lawyers as proxy).

Based on these documents, the Patent Office will make the necessary checks, will register the mark and issue the registration certificate, after which the registration is published and may be opposed within 2 months.

Finnish trademark registration in numbers

There are a few important aspects to consider if you want to register a trademark in Finland, among which the following will interest you the most:

the validity of the trademark is 10 years;
for applications filed on or after 1 May 2019, this validity period starts from the filing date, not the date the registration certificate was issued;
if you do not use the trademark in the first 5 years after registration, it may be cancelled.

If you are a foreign citizen and want not only to register a trademark but also move here, we can help you. Our lawyers can assist with applications for residency and citizenship in Finland.

Contact us and let us know how we can help you!