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Country fiches: Finland

In Finland, general provisions of criminal procedure apply to the investigation and prosecution of intellectual property crimes. These crimes fall under the general rules of jurisdiction.

Verified in November 2023

National legislation

National legislation on intellectual property crimes

Copyright violations

Chapter 49, s 1 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
Read document

Article 56a of the Copyright Act 404/1961

Copyright Act:
(amendments only up to 608/2015)
Read document

Counterfeiting of trademark

Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Section 74 of the Trademarks Act 544/2019 and (EC) Trademark Regulation 2017/1001

Trademarks Act (in Finnish language):
Tavaramerkkilaki 544/2019 | EDILEX

Patent violations

Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Section 57 of the Patents Act 550/1967

Patents Act:
(amendments only up to 650/2000)
Read document

Industrial design violations

Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Section 35b of the Registered Designs Act (221/1971) and (EC) Community Designs Regulation 6/2002

Registered Designs Act:
(amendments only up to 620/2002)
Read document

Violations of geographical indications of origin

Chapter 49 of the Criminal Code

No specific legislation exists on protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications, as the applicable EU regulations (510/2006, 1234/2007, 110/2008) are directly applicable in Finland.

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Violations of plant variety rights

Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Chapter 9, s 41 - 43 of the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act (1279/2009)

Plant Breeder’s Rights Act:
Read document

Trade Secrets violations

Chapter 30, s 4 - 6 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Trade Secrets Act 595/2018

Trade Secrets Act:
595/2018 English - Translations of Finnish acts and decrees - FINLEX ®

Other IP rights

Violations of utility models

Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Act on Utility Model Rights (800/1991)

Act on Utility Model (in Finnish language):
Act on Utility Models 800/1991 | EDILEX

Violations of integrated circuit models

Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code:
(amendments only up to 433/2021 included)
Read document

Act on Exclusive Rights to Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits (32/1991)

Act on Exclusive Rights to Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits (in Finnish language):
Laki yksinoikeudesta integroidun piirin piirimalli... 32/1991 | EDILEX

National contacts

Law Enforcement Agencies

IP crime investigations are conducted by the Finnish Police and Finnish Customs based on the location.

Neither the Police nor Customs have units specialised in IP investigations.

Finnish Police

kirjaamo.helsinki@poliisi.fi

+358 295 470 011

Contacts based on the location: access here

Frontpage - Police (poliisi.fi)

Finnish Customs

johtokeskus@tulli.fi

Contacts based on the location: access here

Henkilöasiakkaat - etusivu - Tulli

Prosecution

The investigation of industrial property crimes falls under the competence of specialised prosecutors of the Prosecution District of Southern Finland.

Recently, a special team was set up to prosecute IP and cybercrimes, as well as criminal offences related to business secrets.