2011/11 > Finland accedes to the London Agreement

Finland has accessed the London Agreement with effect as of 1 November 2011. This Agreement is thus now in force in seventeen EPC contracting states.

From a practical viewpoint, for European patents granted with effect for Finland on or after 1 November 2011, no Finnish translation of the European patent specification need be supplied if the patent is granted in English or if an English translation of the patent is supplied; a Finnish translation of the claims must however always be supplied. If the patent is granted in French or German and no English translation of the patent is supplied, a Finnish translation of the patent specification must be supplied.

The new rules do not apply to European patents which were granted before 1 November 2011 and amended in opposition, appeal or limitation proceedings on or after that date.