WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/FIN/1
27June1997
ORGANIZATION(97-2657)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from Finland
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
TheCircuit Court ofHelsinki (Helsingin Käräjäoikeus) hasthejurisdiction overinfringement
cases ofindustrial property rights. Incases ofinfringement ofapatent, utility model orarightto
thelayout-design ofanintegrated circuit, thecourt isassisted bytwotechnical experts. Decisions
oftheHelsinki Circuit Court inIPRinfringement casesmaybeappealed totheHelsinki Court ofAppeal
andfurther totheSupreme Court inaccordance withtheordinary civiljudicial procedure.
TheMarket Court decides thematters thataccording totheUnfair Business Practices Actbelong
toitscompetence. Thisincludes injunction incases ofinfringement ofrights concerning protection
ofundisclosed information. Theordinary appellation procedure doesnotapply tothedecisions of
theMarketCourt.Thepartythathasbeenimposedaconditionalfine,may,however,appealthedecision
totheSupreme Court, asconsiders theamount ofthefine. Decisions oftheMarket Court maybe
applied totheSupreme Court according tothesupplementary appellation procedure, whereby the
provisions oftheCode ofProcedure Chapter 31areforthesuitable parts applied.
Thefirstinstance incopyright casesisthecircuit courtofthehabitual residence (forum domicilii )
ofthedefendant. Thelegalvenue isthusdetermined according togeneral provisions oftheCode of
Procedure concerning jurisdiction incivillitigation. Prorogation onjurisdiction isallowed incivil
copyright cases. Certain additional provisions complementing theforum domicilii -principle arealso
given intheCode ofProcedure. Aspecific forum onthebasisofthefactual (substantial) connection
isprescribed forinSection 61oftheCopyright Act,according towhich theCircuit Court ofHelsinki
hasjurisdiction incases involving radio ortelevision broadcasts which violate theCopyright Act.
Appeal issubmitted theordinary waycomprising twoappellate instances (Court ofAppeal andthe
Supreme Court. Inthelatter, aleave toappeal isrequired asaprerequisite, though).
(Trademarks Act,Section 42;Patents Act,Sections 65-67; Design Protection Act,Section 43;Act
ontheexclusive righttothelayout-design ofanintegrated circuit, Sections 42-43; Utility Model Act,
Sections 43-44; Market Court Act,Sections 1and16;Unfair Business Practices Act,Sections 6-8;
Copyright Act,Section 61;Code ofProcedure, Chapter 10)
1Document IP/C/5IP/N/6/FIN/1
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2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytheright holder?
Proceedings instituted onthegrounds thattherighthasbeengranted toaperson other than
entitled toitmayonlybeinstituted bytheperson claiming tohaveabetter righttherein. Inother cases,
proceedings fordeclaration ofinvalidity maybeinstituted byanyperson whosuffers damage asaresult
ofthegrant oftherightorbyapublic prosecutor forreasons ofpublic interest.
Theright-owner, oranyperson whomayexploit theprotected rightunder alicence, maybring
anaction fordeclaratory judgement toestablish whether heenjoys protection against other parties,
where uncertainty exists. Itisalsopossible tobring anaction toobtain adeclaratory judgement to
establish whether theparticular registration prevents one'scommercial activity. Proceedings mayalso
beinitiated byaperson claiming foracompulsory licence, orfordetermination ofnewconditions
foralicence. InIPRinfringement cases, theregistered right-owner andthelicensee havestanding
toassert IPRs.
Iftheholder oftherighthasnodomicile inFinland, anattorney domiciled inthecountry is
necessary forthereceiving ofthesummons andother documents. Theparties mayincivilcases be
represented before thecourt personally orbyanattorney oranother agent torepresent them. The
court may, however, order aparty orhisrepresentative toappear personally before thecourt where
itdeems itnecessary fortheinquiry ofthecase.
(Trademarks Act,Sections 27,31,45-46; Patents Act,Sections 52-53, 63,71;Design Protection
Act,Sections 31-32, 41,45;Actontheexclusive righttothelayout design ofanintegrated circuit,
Sections 20,30;Utility Model Act,Sections 10,15,31;Code ofProcedure, Chapter 12,Section 7)
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
General provisions concerning aparty'sobligation toproduce written evidence ondemand
(editio )aregiven inChapter 17,Sections 11bto17oftheCode ofProcedure. Article 12states that
anyone inpossession ofadocument assumed tohaveevidentiary value inthecasehasanobligation
toproduce suchevidence. Theobligation doesnot,however, extend toaperson suspected inacriminal
caseoranyone related tohim. Where aparty hasanobligation toproduce adocument, thecourt may,
under thepenalty ofafine,issue anorder tohimtodoso.Theobligation maybeimposed atthe
request oftheopposing party. Chapter 5,Section 21oftheCode ofProcedure provides foraprocedure
where thecounterparty hastoannounce, attherequest oftheother party, whether heisinpossession
ofacertain document.
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Awitness oraparty toacasemayrefuse togiveinformation thatincludes business or
professional secrets, unless formostimportant reasons itisnecessary tohavetheinformation disclosed
(Code ofProcedure, Chapter 17,Section 24andChapter 21,Section 65:seefurther point 6below).
Ifconfidential information concerning other party'sbusiness orknow-how issubmitted before
thecourt, thementioned party maydemand thatthisinformation should bedeclared confidential.
According totheActonPublicity ofAdministration oftheLaw, thecourt mayincertain cases
order thehearings tobeheldbehind closed doors. Ifinsuchhearings information hasbeenrevealedIP/N/6/FIN/1
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concerning which secrecy isapplied atthecourt, thecourt mayorder thattheinformation shallcontinue
tobekeptsecret foracertain period oftime.
5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
- injunctions
- damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees
- destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements for
their production
- anyother remedies
(a) Injunctions
According totherelevant IPRlegislation, thecourt maymake anorder forbidding theperson
infringing theIPRfromcontinuing orrepeating theinfringement. Itispossible topursue anindependent
action forinjunction. Request concerning injunction canbemade incivilcases aswellasincriminal
proceedings.
(Trademarks Act,Section 38;Patents Act,Section 57;Design Protection Act,Section 35;Utility
Model Act,Section 36)
(b) Damages
Anyperson whointentionally orbynegligence infringes anindustrial property rightisliable
topayreasonable compensation forthedamage caused bytheinfringement. Incaseofslight negligence,
thecompensation maybeadjusted accordingly. Incases where theinfringement isneither intentional
nornegligent, theinfringer shallpaycompensation fortheexploitation oftheinvention ifandtothe
extent considered reasonable.
Incopyright cases, thedefendant cannot exculpate himself outofcompensation totheholder
oftheinfringed rightfortheinfringing use(strict liability). Inthecaseofwilful ornegligent conduct,
theinfringer istopaydamages evenforanyother loss,forpossible mental suffering andforother
injury caused bytheinfringement, inaddition tofaircompensation.
(Trademarks Act,Section 38;Patents Act,Section 58;Design Protection Act,Section 36;Acton
theexclusiverighttothelayout-designofanintegratedcircuit,Section38;UtilityModelAct,Section37;
Copyright Act,Section 57;ActonDamages andTortLiability)
General provisions ondamages deriving fromnon-contractual liability areincluded intheAct
onDamages andTortLiability. Coverable lossextends toallkinds ofappraisable property damages,
including litigation expenses. Theamount ofcompensation isbased onthecourt'sassessment, where
boththeobjective ofmaterial compensation aswellasthespecific circumstances aretaken intoaccount.
Rules forthedetermination ofthedamages havebeenestablished incourt practice inallfields ofIPRs.
Claims canbepresented bothincivilandcriminal proceedings.
(c) Destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements fortheir
production
InIPRinfringement cases, thecourt mayprescribe, upon thedemand oftheinjured party,
thattheinfringing material (produced copies, manufacturing material ordevices, etc.)shallbedestroyed
oraltered orthatsuchproperty beconveyed totheinjured party against compensation coveringIP/N/6/FIN/1
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manufacturing expenses, unless theacquirer oftheinfringing property inquestion hasacted ingood
faith. Claims based onaninfringement canbepresented bothincivilaswellasincriminal proceedings.
(Copyright Act,Section 58;Trademarks Act,Section 41;Patents Act,Section 59;Design Protection
Act,Section 37;Actontheexclusive righttothelayout-design ofanintegrated circuit, Section 39;
Utility Model Act,Section 38)
(d) Other remedies
Seepoint 10;provisional measures
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany, dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform theright holder oftheidentity ofthird persons involved intheproduction
anddistribution ofthegoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheirchannels ofdistribution?
There arenoprovisions empowering thejudicial authorities togivesuchorders.
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat "remedial
measures" areapplicable tothem?
Incivilcases, theexpenses are,asageneral rule,covered bytheplaintiff whose claim was
rejected. Specific provisions onunfounded litigation andexpenses caused bysuchaction aregiven
inSection 4to6ofChapter 21oftheCode ofProcedure. Misappropriation oramisuse maylead
toliability tocover theexpenses caused thereby.
General provisions ontheindemnification liability oftheauthorities (administrative authorities
andpublic corporates) aregiven intheActonDamages andTortLiability. Theauthorities areliable
fordamages resulting from wilful ornegligent erroneous exercise oftheauthority. Ingeneral, the
liability mayextend wholly orpartially eventoindividual functionaries onthebasisofvicarious liability,
except forthecases ofonlyslight negligence. Administrative actions taken ingoodfaithdonotcause
liability.
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
There arenosuchprovisions inthelawsofFinland. Thelength ofproceedings isunder the
control ofthecourt. Incivilcases, theproceedings incourt startwithpreliminary hearings. The
preliminary hearings should beconcluded without delay; ifpossible, inonesession. Theparties should
preparethemselvesforthehearingadequately,sothattherewouldbenoneedtopostponetheproceedings
duetotheparty'snegligence. Acasemayincertain cases bedecided already atthepreliminary stage.
Inother cases, thecaseshallbebrought toamainhearing. Themainhearing shall, asageneral rule,
continue without interruption untilthecaseisready fordecision ofthecourt.
Thegeneral ruleconcerning thecostsincivilproceedings, according toChapter 21,Section 1
oftheCode ofProcedure, isthattheparty wholoses thecaseshallreimburse hisopponent forthe
litigation expenses, subject toprovisions tothecontrary. Thecompensation shall, under Article 8
ofChapter 21,fullycover theexpenses forthepreparation andpresentation oftheaction, including
attorney 'sfees,totheextent thattheexpenses canreasonably bejustified fortheprotection oftheparty's
interest.IP/N/6/FIN/1
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Thelength andcostofproceedings varycasebycase. Itisnotpossible toindicate anydata
concerning theactual duration ofproceedings ortheircost.
(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
Except forsome limited provisional measures there arenoadministrative judicial procedures
applicable astoremedies inthiscontext. Asregards administrative procedures inthefieldofexecutive
authority, themeans arelimited tothespecific provisional measures dealtwithbelow.
Provisional Measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
According totherelevant industrial property laws, ifaninfringement maybepresumed to
havetaken place, theinfringing goods may, toprevent continuation oftheinfringement, beordered
tobeseized ortaken intosafekeeping. There arenospecific provisions onprovisional measures in
theCopyright Act.
General provisions concerning judicial precautionary measures incivilmatters arecontained
inChapter 7oftheCode ofProcedure. Where aparty canshow aprobable casethatheholds aclaim,
which maybeenforced onthebasisofthecourt'sfuture resolution asprescribed intheExecution Act,
anditcanbeassumed thattheadverse party willevade thepayment through absconding, destroying,
giving awaytheproperty orotherwise, thecourtmayorder provisional attachment oftheadverse party's
property tosuchextent thattheclaim canpresumably becovered. Thecourt mayalso,under similar
preconditions, prohibit theopposing party fromexercising acertain activity, ororder himtoperform
acertain act,empower theapplicant toperform anact,theproperty oftheopposing party tobeplaced
under theadministration orcareofatrustee, orother measures necessary tosecure therightofthe
applicant.
Provisions onseizure incriminal proceedings arecontained inChapters 3and4oftheAct
oncoercive Means ofCriminal Investigation. Anobject oraspecific good, including documentary
material, maybeconfiscated orseized ifthere isreason topresume thatthegoods inquestion may
serve asevidence orthatthecourt shalllaterorder them forfeit. Attherequest oftheplaintiff, the
court mayalsogrant aninterlocutory injunction onuseofthegoods claimed tobeinfringing. The
prohibition willremain inforce untilfinaljudgement inthematter ofsubstance hasbeenreached, if
nototherwise decided. Interlocutory injunctions mayalsobeimposed incases ofdisclosure oftrade
secrets, inwhich casetheprohibition isordered bytheMarket Court.
(Trademarks Act,Sections 41and48;Patents Act,Sections 59and68;Design Protection Act,
Section 37;Actontheexclusive righttothelayout-design ofanintegrated circuit, Section 39;Utility
Model Act,Section 38;Unfair Business Practices Act,Section 7;ActonCoercive Means ofCriminal
Investigation, Chapter 4;Code ofProcedure, Chapter 7;Execution Act,Chapter 3)
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?IP/N/6/FIN/1
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Theprovisional measures contained inChapter 7oftheCode ofProcedure maybeimposed
bythecourt onapplication oftheinterested party.
According toSection 5ofChapter 7oftheCode ofProcedure, precautionary measures shall
notbegranted without reserving theopposing party anopportunity tobeheard. Thecourt may,
however, giveaprovisional decision ordering aprecautionary measure atarequest bytheapplicant,
ifthepurpose ofthemeasure might otherwise becompromised. Suchadecision shallremain inforce
untilfurther notice.
Incriminal cases, seizure maybeordered bytheauthority entitled tomake anarrest, orby
thecourt inthecourse ofproceedings. Iftheperson onwhose premises thegoodisseized isnotpresent,
heshallimmediately beinformed about theseizure (ActonCoercive Means ofCriminal Investigation,
Chapter 4,Sections 5and7).
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect thelegitimate
interests ofthedefendant.
Precautionary measures incivilmatters described intheCode ofProcedure, Chapter 7,may
beimposed bythecourt onrequest oftheinterested party. Therequest maynotbeapproved without
given theopposing partyanopportunity tobeheard. Ifthepurpose ofthemeasure might beendangered,
thecourt may, however, decide onaprovisional precautionary measure without giving aparty the
opportunity tobeheard. Thedecision remains validuntilotherwise decided. Anaction inthematter
ofsubstance hastobebrought within sixmonths from thedecision ontheprecautionary measure.
Inconnection withthedecision inthematter ofsubstance, thecourt mustdefine theperiod ofvalidity
ofthemeasure. Iftheaction isdismissed, thecourt mayorder themeasure tobecancelled onlyafter
finaljudgement inthematter. Iftheaction iscancelled, themeasure mustbecancelled accordingly.
Theparty thathasunfoundedly acquired aprecautionary measure mustcover thecosts caused byit.
Anappeal against adecision onaprecautionary measure maybelodged separately.
Forinitiation incriminal cases, seepoint 11above. Theseizure maybecancelled bythesame
authority whoimposed it.Cancellation hastotakeplace assoonastheseizure nolonger isnecessary
orifacharge forthecrime causing itisnotbrought within fourmonths. Onrequest oftherelevant
authority, thecourt mayextend thistimelimit. Onrequest ofaperson involved, thecourt hastodecide
onvalidity oftheseizure. Iftherequest ismade before thecourt hasstarted tohandle thecharge,
ithastobetaken under consideration within aweek'stime. Thecourt hastogivetheparties involved
anopportunity tobeheard, butanabsence ofaparty doesnotpreclude adecision inthematter. An
appeal against adecision concerning seizure, aswellasagainst adecision prohibiting theperson
infringing theIPRfromcontinuing orrepeating theinfringement, maybelodged separately. Theappeal
doesnot,however, prevent themeasure. Theappellant mayinsome cases beobliged togiveasecurtiy
forthedamage anddisadvantage thatmaybecaused bythemeasure.
Execution Act,Chapter 7contains provisions onenforcement oftheprecautionary measures.
Ameasure maynotbeputintoeffect, andtheenforcement hastobediscontinued, iftheopposing
party gives theexecutor asecurity which hasbeenapproved bytheparty requesting themeasure, or
which isconsidered tobeproportional totheneedforprotection oftherights oftherequesting party.
Adecision onaprecautionary measure maynotbeputintoforce, unless therequesting party gives
asecurity forthedamages thatmaybecaused bythemeasure.
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.IP/N/6/FIN/1
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Thelength andcostofproceedings varycasebycase. There isnopublic dataavailable
concerning theactual duration ofproceedings ortheircosts.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
According toSection 11aofChapter 7oftheExecution Act,incasethatthepurpose ofthe
precautionary measure prescribed inSections 1-3,Chapter 7oftheProcedural Code would otherwise
beendangered, thesaidmeasures maybegranted bythepublic executor, iftherequesting party has
legalgrounds forhisapplication andtheapplication cannot immediately begranted bythecourt. The
maximum period ofvalidity forsuchdecision andmeasure issixmonth, unless renewed bytheexecutor
onspecial grounds. Asregards provisional measures byadministrative authorities inthecourse of
criminal investigations, seepoints 11and12above (Chapter 4oftheActonCoercive Means ofCriminal
Investigations).
Special Requirements Related toBorder Measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable alsoin
respect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other thancounterfeit
trademark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement (footnote toArticle 51).
Specify, together with relevant criteria, anyimports excluded from theapplication ofsuch
procedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms union, goods intransit ordeminimis
imports). Dotheprocedures apply toimports ofgoods putonthemarket inanother country
byorwiththeconsent oftheright holder andtogoods destined forexportation?
According toCouncil Regulation (EEC) No.3295/94, thesuspension oftherelease intofree
circulation maybeapplied tocounterfeit goods, i.e.togoods, including thepackaging thereof, bearing
without authorization atrademark which isidentical tothetrademark validly registered inrespect of
thesame typeofgoods, orwhich cannot bedistinguished initsessential aspects fromsuchtrademark,
andwhich thereby infringes therights oftheholder ofthetrademark inquestion. Theprocedure is
alsoapplied toanytrademark symbol whether presented separately ornot,aswellastopackaging
materials presented separately, bearing thetrademarks, ofcounterfeit goods (Article 1(2)(a); counterfeit
goods).
Thesuspension procedure mayalsobeapplied togoods which areorembody copies made
without theconsent oftheholder ofthecopyright orneighbouring rights, oroftheholder ofadesign
right, whether registered under national lawornot,orofaperson dulyauthorized bytheholder in
thecountry ofproduction (Article 1(2)(b); pirated goods).
Thesuspensive procedure doesnotapply togoods ofanon-commercial nature contained in
travellers 'personal luggage (Article 10)ortogoods which bearatrademark orwhich areprotected
byacopyright orneighbouring rightoradesign right andwhich havebeenmanufactured withthe
consent oftheholder oftherightbutareplaced intofreecirculation; export, re-export orasuspensive
procedure, without theconsent oftheholder (Article 1(4)).
16. Provide adescription ofthemain elements oftheprocedures relating tothesuspension
oftherelease ofgoods bycustoms authorities, inparticular thecompetent authorities (Article 51),
therequirements foranapplication (Article 52)andvarious requirements related totheduration
ofsuspension (Article 55). How have Articles 53(security orequivalent assurance), 56IP/N/6/FIN/1
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(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofthegoods) and57(right ofinspection and
information) been implemented?
Theholder ofarightmaylodge anapplication forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods with
anyoffice ofthecustoms authority. Thedecision ontheinitiation oftheprocedure ismade bythe
control andinspection unitoftheNational Board ofCustoms.
Theapplication shallinclude asufficiently detailed description ofthegoods andaproof that
theapplicant istheholder oftherightforthegoods inquestion. Theapplication mustalsospecify
thelength oftheperiod during which thecustoms authorities arerequested totakeaction (Article 3(2)
and3(3)).
If,within 10working daysofnotification ofsuspension ofrelease orofdetention, thecustoms
office hasnotbeeninformed thatthematter hasbeenreferred tothecourt, thegoods shallbereleased,
provided thatthecustoms formalities havebeencomplied withandthedetention order hasbeenrevoked.
Thisperiod maybeextended byamaximum of10working daysinappropriate cases (Article 7(1)).
Nosecurity oradministrative payments arerequested from theapplicant. Theowner ofthe
goods maybring anaction forrecovery ofdamages resulting fromtheunfounded detention ofthegoods.
Thecustoms authorities shallnotify theholder oftheright, athisrequest, ofthename and
theaddress ofthedeclarant and,ifknown, ofthose oftheconsignee (Article 6(1)). Thecustoms
authorities shallalsoinform theholder oftheright, upon request, ofthenames andaddresses ofthe
consignor, oftheimporter orexporter andofthemanufacturer ofthegoods found tobecounterfeit
orpirated andofthequantity ofthegoods inquestion (Article 8(3)).
Thecustoms authorities shallafford theapplicant theopportunity toinspect thegoods whose
release hasbeensuspended (Article 6(1)).
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity ofdecisions
bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofreecirculation?
Theapplication procedure intheNational Board ofCustoms isnormally taken careofwithin
oneworking day.Notincluded afewexceptions, thematters havebeenbrought before thecourt within
10workingdays.Whenextendingtheperiod,theBoardofCustomshascarefullyconsideredthegrounds
fortheapplication. Thegiven extension hasusually beenfrom three tofiveworking days.
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
Ifitbecomes apparent inthecustoms office thatthegoods arecounterfeit orpirated, thecustoms
authorities mayinform theholder oftherightoftheriskofinfringement (Customs Code, Article 25).
Inthiscase,thecustoms authorities maysuspend therelease ofthegoods ortheymaykeepitforthree
working days, astoenable theholder oftherighttolodge anapplication forappropriate measures.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
AnegativedecisionbytheNationalBoardofCustomsconcerningtheapplicationmaybeappealed
totheSupreme Administrative Court. Adecision byadistrict customs office suspending thereleaseIP/N/6/FIN/1
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ofthegoods intofreecirculation maybeappealed totheNational Board ofCustoms andfurther to
theSupreme Administrative Court.
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
TheCircuit Court ofHelsinki hasthejurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofindustrial
property rights.
Jurisdiction incasesofdisclosing ofconfidential information asdescribed intheUnfair Business
Practices Act,belongs tothecourt offirstinstance inthedistrict ofwhich thecrime wascommitted.
Incopyright cases, thecompetent authority offirstinstance isthecircuit court oftheplace
where thecrime wascommitted (forum delicti ).Thesolesupplementary forum onthebasis ofthe
factual (substantial) connection isprescribed inArticle 61oftheCopyright Act,according towhich
theCircuit Court ofHelsinki hasthejurisdiction incases involving radioortelevision broadcasts which
violate theCopyright Act.
(Trademarks Act,Section 42;Patents Act,Section 65;Design Protection Act,Section 43;Acton
theexclusive right tothelayout-design ofanintegrated circuit, Section 42;Utility Model Act,
Section 43;Copyright Act,Section 61;Code ofProcedure, Chapter 10,Sections 21to25)
Procedure ofappeal inabove mentioned cases follows theordinary wayofappeal withtwo
appellate instances (Court ofAppeal andtheSupreme Court, thelatter being subject toleave toappeal).
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Criminal procedures andpenalties withordinary channels ofappeal areavailable inrespect
ofintentional infringements ofallintellectual property rights contained intheTRIPS Agreement.
(Penal Code, Chapter 49:onoffences against certain intellectual property rights; Trademarks Act,
Article 39;Patents Act,Article 57;Design Protection Act,Article 35;Actontheexclusive right
tothelayout-design ofanintegrated circuit, Article 35;Utility Model Act,Article 39;Unfair Business
Practices Act,Article 10,aswellasPenal Code, Chapter 30,Articles 5-6:disclosure oftradesecrets)
Incertain copyright cases, evengross negligence mayconstitute aninfringement (copyright
offence) punishable under theCopyright Act(Articles 56to56doftheCopyright Act).
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
IncasesofcrimesdefinedinthePenalCode,Chapter49,apublicprosectormayinitiatecriminal
proceedings iftheinjured party reports anintellectual property crime forprosecution, orforreasons
ofimportant public interest, onhisowninitiative (Penal Code, Chapter 49,Section 3andChapter 30,
Section 12).
Incases ofoffences ofintellectual property rights defined intherelevant substance laws, a
public prosecutor mayinitiate proceedings onlyiftheinjured party reports anoffence ofanintellectual
property rightforprosecution (provisions: seepoint 21above aswellasUnfair Business Practices
Act,Section 11). Minor exceptions tothegeneral ruleofcomplainant action areprescribed intheIP/N/6/FIN/1
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Copyright Act,regulating violations ofthemoral rights oftheauthor andthesafeguard ofthepublic
interest incertain specific cases (Copyright Act,Section 62).
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Theinjured right holders mayforthetimebeing initiate criminal proceedings individually.
Iftheinjured party wishes apublic prosecutor toinitiate proceedings hemustmake ademand forlegal
action totheprosecutor ortothepolice within statutory time. Public prosecutor isobliged toprosecute,
unless owing tothelackofsufficient evidence theprosecution would beofnoactual cause. Ifapublic
prosecutor hasinitiated anaction, theinjured party hasarighttojointhecriminal action.
According tothebillforarenewed actoncriminal procedure, thecomplainant willbeentitled
toinstitute proceedings onlysecondarily, insofarasthepublic prosecutor hasdecided nottobring
anaction.
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production;
- other.
Imprisonment andmonetary fines
Forintellectual property crimes contained inChapters 49and30ofthePenal Code mayas
apenalty beinflicted finesofimprisonment ofmaximum twoyears. Forintellectual property offences
according totheprovisions oftherelevant substance laws, aswellasprovisions oftheUnfair Business
Practices Actconcerning disclosure oftrade secrets, mayasapenalty beinflicted fines(provisions:
seepoint 21above).
Seizure, forfeiture anddestruction ofinfringing goods andmaterials andimplements fortheir
production
Theinfringing goods maybeordered tobeseized, destroyed, altered, handed overtotheright
holder against aredemption ortaken intosafekeeping. Provisional seizure mayalsobeordered for
thetimeoftheproceedings (seefurther points 5and10above). Incriminal cases, seizure follows
theprovisions ofChapter 4oftheActonCoercive Means ofCriminal Investigation.
(Trademarks Act,Section 41;Patents Act,Sections 59and68;Design Protection Act,Section 37;
Actontheexclusive righttothelayout-design ofanintegrated circuit, Section 39;Utility Model Act,
Section 38;Copyright Act,Sections 58to60)
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Thelength andcosts ofproceedings varycasebycase. There isnopublic dataavailable
concerning theactual duration ofproceedings ortheircosts.