Content, Scope and Duration of Protection

Protection of layout-design is, by its nature, an exclusive right, which gives the right to control commercial exploitation of the layout-design. Commercial exploitation may, for instance, cover manufacturing of integrated circuits using the layout-design, and international distribution of the layout-design. Manufacturing for the purposes of teaching and for analysis of the layout-design constitute an exception to the exclusive right. It is permitted to use the results of the analysis for another layout-design that fulfills the requirement of originality.

The exclusive right commences upon filing of the application for registration, or when the layout-design is made public for the first time, and remains valid for a period of 10 years. The exclusive right cannot be renewed. As regards integrated circuits manufactured on the basis of the registered layout-design, the exclusive right expires when they have made publicly available for the first time subject to the consent of the proprietor of the right.

Anyone can request the registration of a layout design to be declared invalid, based on non-fulfillment of the prerequisites for registration, or lack of originality. The request is filed with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office. A decision regarding invalidity or registration can be appealed to the Finnish Market Court.