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We register companies, associations, foundations and other organizations and corporations, as well as enterprise mortgages and LEI codes. We examine and grant patents and register utility models. We also register trademarks for products and services and provide design protection. We oversee and approve auditors and monitor foundations and the collective management of copyright.

Contacts

  • Liinu Lehto

    Director of Customer Service and Communications


    +358 29 509 5309
  • Päivi Männikkö

    Communications Specialist


    +358 29 509 5874
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    Record number of European patent applications from Finland – Nokia behind the growth in applications

    In 2025, Finland set a record for the number of European patent applications, with a total of 3,457 patent applications filed at the European Patent Office (EPO).The number of applications grew by 44% from the previous year, which was the fastest growth among the 30 largest applicant countries of the EPO. Finland rose to sixth place in the EU and 12th place worldwide. Relative to its population, Finland was second only to Switzerland, highlighting Finland's position as a strong country in innovation. The growth is mainly due to Nokia, which increased its applications by nearly

    EPO study confirms public research organisations’ ability to innovate – VTT the most active Finnish research organisation

    A study, published by the Observatory on Patents and Technology of the European Patent Office (EPO) with Fraunhofer ISI, highlights the role of Europe’s public research organisations (PROs) in advancing innovation. Covering 39 member states, the report shows that between 2001 and 2020, PROs contributed to nearly 63,000 European patent applications.“Public research is one of Europe’s greatest strengths. This study highlights the vital role of our public research organisations and research hospitals, whose inventions boost Europe’s competitiveness,” said EPO President António Campinos. “But

    PRH has been one of the few PCT authorities for 20 years

    The Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) has worked as a searching authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for 20 years. When the PRH became a searching authority on 1 April 2005, there were only 11 other such authorities: USA, Canada, Russia, Spain, Japan, Australia, China, Republic of Korea, Austria, Sweden, and the European Patent Office (EPO). Today, there are 25 searching authorities. Thanks to the PCT system, an international patent procedure can be started by filing a single application, which gives the applicant the option of a patent in all the 158 countries

    100,000 patents now in force in Finland – risk of patent infringement increases

    The number of patents valid in Finland has doubled in just under two years – the number of patents surpassed 100,000 on 27 February 2025. The reason for the upsurge is the unitary patent system, which took effect on 1 June 2023. This increases the importance of patent knowledge and patent activity with respect to the success of companies. At the same time, companies’ risk of unintended patent infringements increases, including for companies that operate solely in the Finnish market. Before the unitary patent system, there were approximately 50,000 patents in force, a number that remained

    Finland ranks 4th in Europe for academic patents per capita

    A new report published by the European Patent Office (EPO) today finds that patent applications for inventions originating in European universities have been on the rise over the past two decades, and now account for 10.2% of all patents filed at the EPO by European applicants. In Finland, academic patents represent 10% of all European patent applications filed by Finnish applicants at the EPO in the period 2000-2020.· Leading countries for academic patents are Germany, France, the UK and Italy · Finland ranks 11th as Finnish universities are responsible for 3.1% of all academic patents

    EPO and EUIPO announcement: Owning Intellectual Property (IP) rights boosts startups’ ability to raise funds

    The European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) published on 17 October 2023 a joint study highlighting how much patents and trademarks can boost the success of European startups. The report shows that, on average, startups that possess these two types of intellectual property (IP) rights during their initial seed or early growth stages are up to 10 times more likely to successfully secure funding.Munich, 17 October 2023 – Today, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) have published a new

    Our revamped patent and utility model services

    Between 6 and 7 February 2023, we launched the following five new or revamped online services.Patent Information Service Use the Patent Information Service to search for Finnish patent and utility model applications and registrations, supplementary protection certificates, and European patents in force in Finland. The new service replaces our previous patent and utility model databases (PatInfo, FI-EP, Publication Server, and Pate), which are no longer used. You will find basic details, documents, and information about status, validity and payments in the service. Go to the Patent

    A new study by the European Patent Office (EPO): Fewer than 1 in 7 inventors in Europe are women

    A new study released today by the European Patent Office (EPO) finds that 13.2% of inventors in Europe are women. The study, the first of its kind to be published by the EPO, is based on the percentage of women inventors named in all patent applications to the EPO from 1978 until 2019. It highlights that while the women inventor rate in Europe has been rising in recent decades (up from only 2% in the late 1970s to 13.2% in 2019), a strong gender gap remains. The rate of women inventors is also far below the share of women among science and engineering researchers and graduates.· EPO data

    EPO: Europe and US are leading innovation in plastic recycling and alternative plastics globally, patent data shows

    · European Patent Office (EPO) study reveals that Europe and US together account for 60% of patenting activity worldwide related to plastic recycling and bioplastic technologies ·  Of all recycling technologies, chemical and biological methods generated highest level of patenting activity · Healthcare, cosmetics and detergent industries are at the forefront of innovation in bioplastics · EPO President António Campinos: “This report highlights Europe’s contribution towards a circular economy for plastics, but shows more can be done to transfer fundamental research to industry.”Open

    EPO-IEA study highlights need to accelerate innovation in clean energy technologies to meet climate goals

    EPO President António Campinos: “This report is a clear call for action to step up research and innovation into new low-carbon energy technologies, and improve existing ones.”· Global patent data shows innovation in the past decade has been increasing faster in low-carbon energy technologies than in fossil fuels · Average annual growth rate of clean energy inventions in the past decade has slowed compared with 2000-13 level · Innovation is shifting from renewable energy supply to end-use and cross-cutting technologies such as batteries, hydrogen, smart grids and carbon capture ·

    PRH Director General Antti Riivari continues as chair of EPO Committee on Patent Law

    Antti Riivari, Director General of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH), has been re-elected as chair of the Committee on Patent Law at the European Patent Office (EPO) for a term of three years, starting on 1 April 2021. The Committee on Patent Law comes under the EPO Administrative Council. The committee advises the Administrative Council on any legal matters concerning the European Patent Convention or the implementation of the convention. The committee also handles any proposal relating to the amendment of the European Patent Convention and advises the Administrative

    Healthcare innovation main driver of European patent applications in 2020

    European Patent Office:   · Steady demand for patent protection at the EPO despite pandemic · Data shows stark contrasts among technologies and countries of origin · Healthcare inventions on the rise, transport sector decreases · Strong growth from China and South Korea; European, Japanese and US inventors file fewer patent applications · Samsung, Huawei and LG top the applicant rankingMedia contacts European Patent Office: Luis Berenguer GiménezPrincipal Director CommunicationRainer OsterwalderPress spokesperson EPO press deskTel.: +49 89 2399 1801Mobile:

    How Brexit affects the Trade Register, trademarks, design protection, patents and auditing

    As of 1 January 2021, the UK is no longer a member of the EU and does not belong to the European Economic Area, EEA.  The changed status of the UK affects the Finnish Trade Register, trademarks, design protection, patents and auditing.The Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) has compiled a list of the effects of Brexit. Link to the summary on the PRH website: https://www.prh.fi/en/presentation_and_duties/brexit.html More information about the Finnish Trade Register:Mr Jouko KoittoLeading Legal CounselFinnish Patent and Registration OfficeTel. +358 29 509 5550 More

    Eurasian Patent Office and Finnish Patent and Registration Office to start PPH co-operation

    A Memorandum of Understanding on the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot programme between the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) and the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) was signed by the EAPO President in Moscow on 27 March and by the PRH Director General in Helsinki on 24 April.Despite the exceptional circumstances, co-operation between patent offices will continue and will be strengthened. A Memorandum of Understanding on the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot programme between the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) and the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) was

    PRH and IPRally collaborate on the application of AI in patent examination

    Artificial intelligence (AI) opens up new opportunities to examine the patentability of inventions. The combination of AI and specialist work produces results with increased effectivity also in a telecommuting environment.The Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) has started using an AI based patent search technology provided by IPRally Technologies Ltd. The technology is used particularly in the early stage of examining new patent applications, where it is important to quickly find the publications that might prevent patenting the invention.  The technology provided by IPRally is

    Coronavirus: deadlines for patents and utility models

    In patents and utility models, there are various deadlines that have to be met. We understand that the coronavirus causes difficulties for our customers and therefore want to support applicants in all ways permitted by law. Below you will find more instructions on the deadlines.The deadlines for responding to an office action or for filing statements are set out in our Patent Regulations and Utility Model Regulations. We can, at the request of the applicant, extend the deadline for special reasons. If you cannot meet the deadline because of the coronavirus, we consider it a special reason.

    Effects of the coronavirus on our office and customers

    We aim to process notifications and applications normally despite the exceptional situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Our staff is currently telecommuting.   We provide customer service normally, but our customer service point in Helsinki is closed until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.   Now it is important to follow the guidelines of the Government and authorities.Further instructions to our customers Due to the coronavirus, companies, associations and other organisations have more limited opportunities than usual to fulfil their

    What effects will Brexit have on the Finnish Trade Register, trademarks, design protection and patents?

    We have compiled a summary on our website at prh.fi of what effects the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) will have on•    the Finnish Trade Register; and•    the validity of EU trademarks, Community designs and patents in the United Kingdom.We publish announcements about the effects of Brexit regularly at prh.fi and ytj.fi and, when necessary, here in our newsroom.  Go to prh.fi to read more about the effects of Brexit on the Finnish Trade Register, trademarks, design protection and patents: https://www.prh.fi/en/presentation_and_duties/brexit.html

    Finnish Patent and Registration Office starts using artificial intelligence to evaluate patent applications

    Artificial intelligence estimates the novelty of a patent application by comparing it to over 16 million patent publications, and provides the examiner with recommendation list of closest technology and possible obstacles of patent grant. The Finnish Patent and Registrations Office (PRH) and Teqmine Analytics Ltd. have signed a contract to supply artificial intelligence system for PRH to evaluate patent applications and inventions. “Processing patent applications with artificial intelligence is the future, and PRH wants to be at the international frontier when it comes to application

    Future Competitiveness from Inventions - Comparison of Finnish and Swedish Patent Activity, 2006-2016

    The status of Finland and Sweden as the world's leading technology and invention centres is declining according to a patent analysis by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office and Teqmine Analytics Oy. The research analysed how inventive activity has evolved in Finland and Sweden in 2006-2016 and assessed how on-going trends will shape the countries' future economic competitiveness. Key Insights of the Study Global patenting has increased steadily over the last 10 years, and the relative decline of Finland and Sweden, if continued, can present a major challenge to their economic

    ​​Patenting clean technology is rising strongly in Europe – Finland's performance does not stand out

    Patenting clean technology, or cleantech innovations*) is strongly on the rise. In 2012, approximately 183,000 cleantech innovations were made. Since 2005, the number has almost doubled. During this period patenting increased by just 26%. The share of cleantech innovations among all inventions has increased significantly, from 4.8% to 6.6% during the same period. According to the available patent information, the same tendency has continued during the last few years. Of the Nordic countries, Denmark has excelled in cleantech, if we compare patenting activity by population size. Denmark

    Startups are surprisingly unconcerned about copying – use of intellectual property rights is still widespread

    Startups are reasonably familiar with intellectual property rights (IPR) and fairly often protect their products, services or solutions with patents or trademarks. Companies seek protection from competition and copying in particular, even though over half of the respondents do not view copying as a threat. According to a recent survey commissioned by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) together with Startup Sauna and New Factory, most of the 92 customers of Startup Sauna and New Factory understood what was meant by the acronym IPR (Intellectual Property Rights). Patents,

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