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 2024
Country fiches: Finland
National legislation
National legislation on intellectual property crimes
Copyright violations
Chapter 49, s 1 of the Criminal Code
Criminal Code:
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Article 56a of the Copyright Act 404/1961
Counterfeiting of trademark
Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code
Section 74 of the Trademarks Act 544/2019 and (EC) Trademark Regulation 2017/1001
Trademarks Act (in Finnish language):
Tavaramerkkilaki 544/2019 | EDILEX
Tavaramerkkilaki 544/2019 | EDILEX
Patent violations
Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code
Section 57 of the Patents Act 550/1967
Industrial design violations
Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code
Violations of geographical indications of origin
Violations of plant variety rights
Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code
Chapter 9, s 41 - 43 of the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act (1279/2009)
Plant Breeder’s Rights Act:
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Trade Secrets violations
Chapter 30, s 4 - 6 of the Criminal Code
Trade Secrets Act 595/2018
Trade Secrets Act:
595/2018 English - Translations of Finnish acts and decrees - FINLEX ®
595/2018 English - Translations of Finnish acts and decrees - FINLEX ®
Other IP rights
Violations of utility models
Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code
Act on Utility Model Rights (800/1991)
Act on Utility Model (in Finnish language):
Act on Utility Models 800/1991 | EDILEX
Act on Utility Models 800/1991 | EDILEX
Violations of integrated circuit models
Chapter 49, s2 of the Criminal Code
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
Laki yksinoikeudesta integroidun piirin piirimalli... 32/1991 | EDILEX
National contacts
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 Customs
Contacts based on the location: access here
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.
Prosecution District of Southern Finland
etela-suomi.syyttaja@oikeus.fi
+ 358 29 562 2100
Porkkalankatu 13, FI-00180 Helsinki
Judiciary
IP crimes fall under industrial property offenses. The Helsinki District Court has jurisdiction over these cases as a first instance court.
The Helsinki Court of Appeals is the second instance court for IP-related criminal cases.
The Supreme Court is the third and final instance.
Judicial libraries
Judicial libraries
FINLEX
Public and free database. No registration is required.
Selected judgments from:
- Regional Administrative Courts (1st instance)
- Courts of Appeal (2nd instance)
- Supreme Court (3rd instance)
- Supreme Administrative Court
- Market Law Court
- Labour Court
Other available resources:
- Acts of parliament, decrees and treaties.
KORKEIN OIKEUS (SUPREME COURT)
Public and free database. No registration is required.
Ennakkopäätökset - Korkein oikeus
Selected judgments from:
- Supreme Court (3rd instance)
Other judgments of the Supreme Court are available in the Finlex database
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