WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE  
ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO 
IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
16 February 2012 
 (12-0883) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English/ 
 anglais/  inglés 
 
  
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
LAWS AND REGULATIONS NOTIFIED UNDER 
ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT 
 
FINLAND 
  The present document reproduces the text
1 of the Registered Designs Decree, as notified by 
Finland on 10 February 2011 under Article 63.2 of the Agreement (see document IP/N/1/FIN/3). 
 
 Conseil des aspects des droits de propriété 
intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce  
  
 
PRINCIPALES LOIS ET RÉGLEMENTATIONS CONSACRÉES À LA 
PROPRIÉTÉ INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIÉES AU TITRE 
DE L'ARTICLE 63:2 DE L'ACCORD 
 
FINLANDE 
  Le présent document contient le texte
1 du Décret sur les dessins et modèles enregistrés, notifié 
par la Finlande le 10 février 2011 au titre de l'article 63:2 de l'Accord (voir le 
document IP/N/1/FIN/3).  
 
Consejo de los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad 
Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio  
  
 
PRINCIPALES LEYES Y REGLAMENTOS DEDICADOS A LA PROPIEDAD 
INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS EN VIRTUD DEL PÁRRAFO 2 
DEL ARTÍCULO 63 DEL ACUERDO 
 
FINLANDIA 
  En el presente documento se reproduce el texto
1 del Decreto sobre Dibujos y Modelos 
Registrados, notificado por Finlandia el 10 de febr ero de 2011 en virtud del párrafo 2 del artículo 63 
del Acuerdo (véase el documento IP/N/1/FIN/3). 
                                                      
1 In English only./En anglais seulement./En inglés solamente.   
   IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
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MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS 
AND REGULATIONS 
(in English) 
   
Unofficial translations 
 
 
  
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS 
    
   IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
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  REGISTERED DESIGNS DECREE  
 (Unofficial translation) 
 
(Decree No. 252/71 of April 2, 1971, as amende d by Decrees No. 943 of December 3, 1976, No. 1703 
of December 22, 1995 and No.620 of July 18, 2003) 
 
Registration Application and Official Register 
 
Section 1 
Applications for registration of designs shall be  delivered to the National Board of Patents and 
Registration (the registering authority).  
Section 2 
An application for registration of a design sha ll consist of a written communication (application 
document) with appendices. 
 The application document shall be signed by th e applicant or his agent and shall contain: 
 (1) the applicant's name, domicile and address and, wher e the applicant is represented by an agent, the 
agent's name, domicile and address; 
(2) the name and address of the creator of the design; 
(3) indication of the products for which re gistration of the design is applied for; 
(4) information as to whether priority  in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Registered 
Designs Act (221/1971) is requested; (5) information as to whether the applicant requ ests deferment of publication of the design under 
Section 18 of the Registered Designs Act; 
(6) information identifying the appe ndices to the application document. 
 The following shall be attached as a ppendices to the application document: 
 (1) a representation or representations of the design; 
(2) where the applicant is represented by an agent, a power of attorney; 
(3) where the design has been created by a person w ho is not the applicant, a document evidencing the 
right of the applicant.  Subsection 4 has been repealed. 
 
Section 3 
The application document and appendices shall be in  the Finnish or Swedish language in accordance 
with the legislation in force relating to languages. If the applicant is a foreigner the application shall 
be in Finnish. If a document attached to the applic ation is in a foreign language, a translation into 
Finnish or Swedish shall be deposited if the registering authority so requests. 
 
Section 4 
The representations of the design shall be filed in triplicate. All representations shall be of a size not 
exceeding A4 (21 x 29.7 cm - 8.2 X 11.6 in). The re presentations shall be suitable for reproduction in 
black and white in another size. 
 
Where the applicant deposits a specimen of the design,  it shall be of durable material and must not 
exceed 40 centimetres (15.6 in) in any dimension or we igh more than 4 kilograms (8 lb 13 oz). An 
object that is subject to decomposition or that is dangerous may not be deposited as a specimen. IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
Page 6  
 
  Where an application relates to more than one design, a separate representation or representations 
shall be submitted for each design. In the case of such an application, the representations and the 
specimens, if any, shall be clearly marked with consecutive numbers.  
Section 5 
The registering authority shall state on an applic ation for registration the serial number of the 
application and the date of receipt of the application. 
 
Section 6 
The registering authority shall keep an official re gister of applications for registration of designs 
received. The official register shall be accessible to the public. 
 The following shall be entered in the of ficial register for each application: 
 (1) the filing date of the application and the serial number; 
(2) the date when a representation or representations  or a specimen of the design was first deposited, 
if this date is not the filing date; (3) the product(s) for which registration of the d esign is applied for and the class(es) to which the 
design is assigned; (4) the applicant's name, domicile and address; (5) where the applicant is represented by an ag ent, the agent's name, domicile and address; 
(6) the name and address of the creator of the design; 
(7) if priority has been requested , the place where the previous application referred to was filed, the 
date and serial number of that application; (8) whether the applicant has requ ested the deferment of the publication of documents disclosing the 
design in accordance with Section 18 of the Registered Designs Act; 
(9) any specimens deposited, written co mmunications received and fees paid; 
(10) decisions made in the case; (11) any deferment granted because of conflict u nder Section 14 with an earlier application; a 
corresponding note shall be made on the records of the earlier application.  
Section 7 
Where a notification is made to the registering aut hority that a design for which registration has been 
applied for has been transferred to another person, su ch person may be entered in the official register 
as an applicant only if the transfer of the right has been confirmed.  
Priority 
 
Section 8 
Repealed. 
 
Section 9 
The registering authority may order the applicant to s ubstantiate the priority referred to in Section 8 of 
the Registered Designs Act within a certain peri od by filing a certificate from the authority that 
received the basic application referred to, attestin g to the filing date of the application and the 
applicant's name, and a copy of the application doc ument (certified by the said authority) with a 
representation or representations of the design attach ed to it. The period prescribed may not expire 
earlier than three months from the date on whic h the application is filed in this country. 
 
If the applicant does not comply with the order in accordance with subsection (1), priority may not be 
enjoyed.   IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
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  Section 10  
Priority may be based only upon the first app lication of which the design was the subject. 
 If the person making the first appli cation, or his successor in title, has filed with the same authority a 
later application relating to the same design, th e later application may be invoked as the basis of 
priority provided that, at the time of filing, the ear lier application had been withdrawn, dismissed or 
rejected and the documents filed in the case had not become available to the public, and has not left 
outstanding any right based upon it and has not ser ved as a basis for priority. Where priority is 
accepted on the basis of the later application, th e earlier application may no longer be invoked as 
grounds for priority. 
 
Section 11 
Where an application is filed for multiple regi stration in accordance with Section 11 of the Act, 
priority may be obtained for one or more of the designs.  
Where such an application is filed, priority may be  invoked on the basis of more than one application, 
even if they have been deposited in different countries.  
Division 
 
Section 12 
Where an application relates to more than one d esign, the applicant may divide the application by 
filing more than one; in such a case, the said applications shall be deemed to have been made simultaneously with the original application.  New application fees and additional fees as provided fo r in Section 47 of the Registered Designs Act 
shall be paid for such applications, if they have not already been paid. 
 
Processing of Applications for Registration  
 
Section 13 
In the examination for fulfillment of the conditions  for registration of a design, the registering 
authority shall take into consideration everyt hing of which that authority has knowledge. 
The registering authority's examination as to novelty shall include applications for design registration 
in and for Finland that are pending  with the authority and that have  been received before the filing 
date as well as designs that have been entere d in or removed from the Register of Designs. 
 
The eligibility for registration of a design in relation to Sections 4, 4 a and 4 b of the Act shall be 
investigated by the registering authority to the ex tent necessitated by the substance of the design and 
without a substantial delay in the processing of the application.  
Section 14 
In the case of conflict with an earlier application for registration of a design, the registering authority 
may defer the processing of the later application un til a decision has been made with respect to the 
earlier application or until the earlier application be comes available to the public or until the conflict 
has ceased as the result of a change  in the application. This provi sion shall also apply where the 
authority acquires knowledge of a conflict with an earlie r application for a patent or for registration of 
a trademark. 
 IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
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  Publication of Applications for Registration  
 
Section 15 
Publication of an application for registration in accordance with Section 18 of the Registered Designs 
Act shall contain: 
(1) the serial number of the application; 
(2) indication of the date on which the application was filed or is deemed to have been filed in 
accordance with Section 10 a of the Registered Designs Act; (3) the applicant's name, domicile and address and, wher e the applicant is represented by an agent, the 
agent's name, domicile and address; 
(4) the name and address of the creator of the design; 
(5) indication of the articles for which registration of the design is applied for and of the classes to 
which the design has been assigned; (6) information regarding priority requested and as to where the application to which reference is 
made was filed, the date and number of that application; 
(7) a representation or representations of the design; 
(8) information as to whether a specimen has been deposited; 
(9) information as to whether the represen tation or representations are in color. 
 
Section 16 
Any oppositions to applications for registration and any later communications from applicants and 
opponents shall be filed with the registering author ity in triplicate, together with appendices. The 
grounds for the opposition shall be stated.  
Section 17 
Where an opponent is represented by an agent, a power of attorney shall be filed with the registering 
authority. 
 
Section 18 
The applicant shall be supplied with copies of a ll written communications an d supplementary matter 
from opponents.  
Where the applicant submits a statement regardi ng the opposition, the registering authority shall 
decide whether a further exchange of correspondence is required.  
Section 19  
If, during examination of the application for registration but outside the time prescribed for opposition, the registering authority receives a written communication that is of importance for the 
examination, the applicant shall be informed ther eof. If anyone sends such a written communication 
before the application has been published, the regist ering authority shall - except where a better right 
to the design is in question - draw his atten tion to the possibility of entering opposition if the 
application is published.   The Register of Designs 
 
Section 20 
The Register of Designs shall be kept by the registering authority. 
 Section 21 
When a design is entered in the Register of Desi gns, it shall be given a registration number. In the 
case of multiple registration, all the designs sh all be given a common registration number. The 
registered owner of the design shall be provided with a certificate of registration.   IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
 Page 9 
 
 
  The Register shall contain: 
 (1) the serial number of the application and the registration number of the design; (2) the name, domicile and address of the registered owner of the design and, where he is represented by an agent, the agent's name, domicile and address; 
(3) the name and address of the creator of the design; 
(4) indication of the article(s) for which the design is registered and of the class(es) to which the 
design has been assigned; (5) indication of the date  
(a) on which the application for registration is de emed to have been filed in accordance with 
Section 10 a of the Act,  
(b) on which the application documents became available to the public,  (c) on which the application for registration was published, and  
(d) on which the design was registered; 
(6) information as to priority requested, stating wher e the application giving rise to priority was filed 
and the date and number of that application; 
(7) a representation or representations of the design; (8) information as to whether a specimen has been submitted; 
(9) information as to whether the design has been amended under Section 25 a of the Registered 
Designs Act; (10) information on partial cancellation of the re gistration of the design under Section 31 of the 
Registered Designs Act. 
 
Section 22 
If one or more applicants have, on the same day, ap plied for registration of two or more designs the 
overall impressions of which do not diff er from one another, this fact shall be recorded in the Register 
of Designs and on the registration certificate for each design concerned, when the designs are 
registered; the application number and registration nu mber of each of the other designs shall also be 
indicated.  
Section 23 
Publication in accordance with Section 23(1) of the Act shall contain information concerning the 
design's registration date and number, and also the application's serial number and the date when the 
application was published.  
Section 24 
Where anyone has notified the registering authority th at he has instituted an action for cancellation of 
the registration of a design in whole or in part, for transfer of registration, or for the granting of a 
compulsory license, this shall be noted in the Register.  When a copy of a final decision has been sent to the registering authority in accordance with 
Section 44 of the Act, this shall be noted in the Re gister. When the decision has gained force of law, 
an entry shall be made in the Register showing the principal outcome of the case. 
 
Section 25 
An entry in accordance wi th Section 27 of the Act shall state the name, domicile and address of the 
proprietor of the right, and the date of the transfer of the design right or of a license or mortgage. If a 
request is made to this effect with  respect to a license, a note shall be made as to whether the right of 
the registered owner of the design to grant a further license is restricted. 
 If a question concerning a note cannot immediately be settled, it shall nevertheless be noted in the 
Register that a note has been requested.  IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
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  Subsection (1) shall apply correspondingly to a note concerning a compulsory license and the right 
defined in Section 32(2) of the Registered Designs Act.  On notification that the right to a design is the s ubject of attachment, this shall be noted in the 
Register. 
 
Notification of an amendment regarding an  agent shall be noted in the Register. 
 
Section 26 
Where the registered owner of a design gives notice, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, that 
he renounces his right to a design and where a license is noted in the Register, the licensee shall be 
informed and allowed sufficient time to safeguard his interests in the matter, before the design is 
removed from the Register.  
Section 27 
Where registration of a design is renewed, this shall be noted in the Register. 
Publication of renewal shall contain information as to the design's registration number, the date of 
commencement of the renewal period, and the name  and address of the registered owner of the 
design.  
Section 28 
Where a registration has ceased to be in force, th e design shall be removed from the Register by the 
registering authority.  Where a design has been removed from the Register or it has been modified or where a design right 
has been transferred to another person or cancelled in part in consequence of a judgment having force 
of law, this shall be published by the registering authority. 
 
Fees 
 
Sections 29 to 32 have been repealed by Decree 943/76 of December 3, 1976. 
 Special Rules  
 
Section 33 
Designs shall be classified in one or more classes. The classification of designs shall be drawn up by 
the registering authority. 
 
Section 34 
Notices in matters concerning the protection of desi gns shall be entered in a Registered Designs 
Gazette issued by the registering authority.  
Section 35 
A model deposited with the registering authority in  accordance with Section 10 of the Registered 
Designs Act shall be kept by the authority until five years have elapsed after the expiry of the 
registration. If the registered owner of the design has not, during the five-year period, requested its 
return, the registering authority may destroy the model.  Section 36  
More detailed regulations shall be  drawn up by the registering authority regarding applications for 
registration and the processing of such applicatio ns, matters concerning registered designs, the 
Register of Designs, and publication in ma tters concerning the protection of designs. 
  IP/N/1/FIN/D/6 
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  Section 37 
Priority in accordance with the provisions of Secti on 8 may not be based on an application filed in a 
foreign country before the entry into force of the Registered Designs Act on April 1, 1971.  This Decree shall enter into force on 1 August 2002. 
 
 
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