A patent is a right to prohibit granted by a patent authority, by means of which others can be prohibited from using an invention commercially. The right to prohibit is granted for a fixed term (20 years in most countries) and region (a specific country or area).
An industrially manufactured or used device, product, method or use which is new and inventive (differs from the previously known) is patentable. Computer software combined with a technical application, biological material containing genetic information, or a microbiological method are also patentable. The patent authority uses its discretionary power in determining whether the level of inventiveness is sufficient, that is, whether the invention differs sufficiently from what is previously known, or whether the invention (despite is novelty) belongs within the scope of the normal skills of a professional.
Patenting is an efficient way of protecting inventions and the results of product development from illicit copying by competitors. Rapid product development and concealment of production methods also provide protection to a degree, but these methods are often inapplicable or insufficient, making patenting the only viable form of protection. Patenting is also significant in securing one’s freedom to operate.
In patenting, the starting point is always to describe the invention in as much detail as possible, using drawings wherever possible. At least one example of the invention must be described completely and in full detail. The patent laws of all countries include a stipulation according to which the invention must be described in such a way that a skilled person is able to use the invention on the basis of the description. The manufacture and use of the invention must be possible solely by following the instructions given in the patent application, without the skilled person having to invent or design more. Therefore, describing the aims of the invention and the general inventive idea does not suffice. Occasionally, an inventor only wishes to reveal these aspects, believing that this will provide a more extensive scope of protection. However, the detailed nature of the specification and drawings of the invention does not limit the scope of patent protection, since patent protection is determined by the claims.
When an invention is described for the purpose of drawing up a patent application, the following questions should be answered in as much detail as possible:
What is the specific problem to which the invention provides a solution? Define the problem in such a way that it cannot be solved by means of the prior art.
If the problem field as such is old, how have the problems in question been solved previously? What are the disadvantages of the known solutions?
How is the problem solved by means of the invention? What is essential about the invention? What are the advantages achieved by means of the invention?
Which embodiment (example) of the invention is considered best? Describe a perfect functioning solution of the invention in as much detail as possible.
Are there other embodiments or manners of implementing the invention? Describe them briefly.
When an inventor or patent applicant describes the invention by answering the above questions, a patent attorney will be able to draw up the patent application on the basis of these answers. The same may obviously also be done by means of a discussion between the inventor/applicant and the patent attorney.
Minimum requirements for filing a patent application in Finland
The minimum requirements for filing a patent application in Finland and obtaining a filing date are:
The following are unpatentable in Finland:
For validation of a European patent in Finland, a translation of the patent specification into Finnish must be filed within 3 months after the date on which the mention of grant is published in the European Patent Bulletin. The translation must be certified by the patentee or his representative. The number of the European patent and the name and address of the patent proprietor must accompany the translation. The translation must be accompanied by a copy of the drawings in the European patent specification even where there is no textual matter. Finland has ratified the London Agreement and it entered into force on November 1, 2011. The London Agreement applies to European patents in respect of which the mention of grant was published in the European Patent Bulletin on or after November 1, 2011. For such a European patent only a translation of the claims into Finnish need to be filed in a case that the description of the European patent specification is in English. If the description of the European patent specification is in German or French, in addition to a translation of the claims into Finnish, also a translation of the description, including possible figures, into English or Finnish need to be filed. If the patentee’s own language is Swedish, said translations may be in the Swedish language.
Tove Mattsson
+358 40 536 7824
tove.mattsson@leitzinger.fi
HELSINKI
Leitzinger Oy
c/o Spaces
Mannerheiminaukio 1 A
00100 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +358 9 685 99 20
info@leitzinger.fi
VAT Number FI01107678