Trademarks in Finland

Competent Authority & System

Official Authority: Finnish Patent and Registration Office / Patentti- ja rekisterihallitus (PRH).

Official Languages: Finnish and Swedish (English is widely supported for e-filing and administrative correspondence).

System: National IP system. As an EU Member State, protection in Finland can also be obtained via European Union Trademarks (EUTM) administered by EUIPO.

International Treaties

Madrid System: Member of both the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. Finland can be designated in international applications via WIPO.

Paris Convention: Member state; convention priority can be claimed within 6 months from the initial priority filing date.

Applicant & Representation Requirements

Entitlement: Both natural persons and legal entities (domestic or foreign) are eligible to apply.

Representation for Foreign Applicants: Non-resident applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) must be represented by an authorized agent established within the EEA.

Power of Attorney (POA): A simple signed Power of Attorney is accepted. Notarization or Legalization/Apostille is not required unless explicitly requested by PRH under exceptional circumstances.

Online Services & Database

E-Filing: E-filing is fully operational through the PRH digital trademark self-service portal (e-services).

Free Trademark Search Database: Public searches can be conducted free of charge via the official PRH Trademark Information Service (Tavaramerkkitietopalvelu), as well as TMview, EUIPO eSearch plus, and the WIPO Global Brand Database.

Registrable Mark Types

Types: Word, figurative/logo, 3D shapes/packaging, position, pattern, color, sound (audio file), motion, multimedia, and hologram marks capable of clear and precise representation in the register.

Foreign Characters & Translation: Applications featuring non-Latin scripts or foreign words must include a transliteration into the Latin alphabet and a translation into Finnish/Swedish upon request.

Classification Framework

Nice Classification: Applies the active edition of the Nice Classification.

Multi-class Filings: Permitted under a single application.

Class Headings: Accepted, provided they comply with standard EU common practice (IP TRANSLATED principles) for clarity and precision.

Examination Process

Examination Scope:

Formal & Absolute Grounds: Examined ex officio by PRH (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, genericness, public order, deceptive signs).

Relative Grounds: PRH conducts an ex officio examination for earlier conflicting rights. However, if a conflicting mark is identified, PRH generally issues a provisional refusal/office action but allows registration if the applicant submits a valid letter of consent or coexistence agreement from the prior owner.

Office Action Deadlines: Response to formal deficiency letters or provisional refusal notices is typically required within 2 months from official notification (extendable upon request).

Publication & Opposition

Opposition Window: 2 months starting from the publication date of the registered trademark in the official publication journal (Tavaramerkkilehti).

Standing: Owners of earlier registered national or EU trademarks, pending applications with earlier priority, well-known marks, or trade names registered in Finland. In opposition proceedings, opponents may be requested to prove genuine commercial use if the relied-upon mark has been registered for more than 5 years.

Timeline & Expedited Examination

Average Timeframe: Approximately 2 to 4 months for smooth registrations without office actions or oppositions.

Fast-Track / Accelerated Processing: Fast-track handling is available automatically without extra charge if the application is filed online, fees are paid immediately, and all goods/services are selected strictly from pre-approved term databases.

Official Fees

Official statutory fees at PRH (updated effective 2026 tariff schedule):

Base Application Fee (Online Filing - 1st Class): €250 (€300 for paper filing).

Additional Class Fee: €100 per class exceeding the 1st.

Official Opposition Fee (Online): €310 (€360 paper).

Standard Renewal Fee (Online - 1st Class): €250 (€300 paper).

Renewal Fee - Additional Class: €100 per class exceeding the 1st.

Late Renewal Fee in Grace Period (Online): €320 (€370 paper).

Administrative Revocation / Invalidation Fee (Online): €440.

Duration & Renewal

Validity Period: 10 years calculated from the filing date.

Renewal Duration: Renewable indefinitely for consecutive 10-year terms.

Grace Period: A 6-month grace period post-expiration is allowed for late renewal, subject to an official late surcharge (fee increases to €320 for online filings).

Use Requirements & Priority System

Priority System: First-to-file system (limited prior rights protections exist for established unregistered signs under local trade sign usage).

Non-Use Cancellation: A registered trademark becomes subject to revocation on non-use grounds if it is not put to genuine commercial use in Finland for a continuous period of 5 years post-registration.

Declaration of Use: No periodic maintenance declarations or affidavits of use are required during routine renewals.

Post-Registration Transactions

Recordals: Rights assignments, licensing agreements, pledges, and changes of corporate details (name/address) must be officially registered with PRH to be enforceable against third parties.

Legal Remedies & Enforcement

Cancellation & Invalidity: Non-use revocation actions and invalidity claims based on relative/absolute grounds can be submitted administratively to PRH or brought before the Finnish Market Court (Markkinaoikeus).

Customs Protection: Rights holders can file applications for customs border detention with Finnish Customs (Tulli) under EU Customs Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 to detain counterfeit goods at the border.

Country-Specific Risks & Practical Insights

Post-Registration Opposition System: Finland operates a post-registration opposition system; trademarks are registered and published first. Oppositions are filed within 2 months of publication.

2-Month Opposition Window: The timeframe for filing an opposition is 2 months (shorter than the standard 3-month window applied in many EU states).

Consents Accepted: Unlike jurisdictions with strict relative ex officio rejections, PRH accepts letters of consent from earlier rights holders to overcome relative grounds refusals during initial examination.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. To receive personalized and in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation.

Finland is also covered by the EU trade mark, which protects a mark in all EU member countries with one filing. See regional systems.