Preconditions for Registration of Layout-Designs

Exclusive right to a layout design of an integrated circuit can be obtained through registration. An application for registration shall be filed with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office. In order to obtain exclusive rights through registration, the following preconditions must be met:

• the layout-design must be original;

• the application for registration must be filed within two years from the date the layout-design was made public;

• the layout-design must be made available to the public within 15 years from the end of the calendar year during which it was created.

The requirement of originality means that the layout-design must be the result of independent and creative work. It is important to ensure that this condition is fulfilled, since originality will not be examined during the registration process. Consequently, anyone may apply for the registration to be declared invalid based on lack of originality. The examination carried out by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office in connection with registration covers mainly fulfillment of formal requirements.