Intellectual property rights strategy circulated for comments

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is requesting opinions on the intellectual property rights strategy. The strategy’s vision is that in 2030, the Finnish legislation on intellectual property rights will support innovations and creative work. The objective is to increase economic wellbeing and competitiveness while taking into account a wide range of social interests.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment initiated the preparation of the intellectual property rights (IPR) strategy in spring 2020. The steering group appointed by the ministry completed its own preparation work in May 2021. Based on the steering group’s proposal and the feedback it received, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment prepared a draft Government Resolution in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. 

Government Resolutions are preparatory decisions that instruct and guide the central government on the preparation of matters. The final decisions will be made by the authority in charge of processing and preparing the matter. Government Resolutions do not have a direct impact on citizens. 

The Government Resolution on the IPR strategy outlines the essential actions needed from the ministries and administrative sectors in order to achieve the objectives of the strategy. The draft Government Resolution was opened for public consultation on Friday 10 December 2021. 

Intellectual property rights stimulate research, innovation and creative work

The term ‘intellectual property’ means property that is not physical or tangible. Intellectual property can be, for example, a technology innovation, a design or a brand. Intellectual property rights protect intellectual property. Examples of intellectual property rights are copyrights, design copyrights, trade marks and patents.

One of the objectives of the Government Programme is to stimulate the research and innovation environment and increase intellectual and material investments. The IPR strategy serves these purposes and also seeks to develop the expertise on and administration of intellectual property. 

Opinions may be submitted until 21 January 2022

Please submit your opinion via the Lausuntopalvelu.fi site by 21 January 2022. Opinions may be submitted by all interested parties. If you do not wish to register to use the service to submit your opinion, you can send your opinion by email to the Registry of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment at kirjaamo.tem(at)gov.fi. Please state the register number VN/6935/2020 in your opinion.

Inquiries:
Tanja Müller, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, +358 295 047 068