prh vk04 su+ru+eng 2.2 - prh - patentti- ja rekisterihallitus · 3 • nbpr annual report 2004 prh...

2004

NBPR

N A T I O N A L B O A R D O F P A T E N T S A N D R E G I S T R A T I O N O F F I N L A N D

PRH_VK04_su+ru+eng_2.2.indd 1 19.4.2005 08:50:08

N B P R a n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 0 4 • 2

Service• Our operation is based on our clients’ needs and produces added value to the operation of our interest groups both domestically and internationally.• We provide reliable, wide-ranging and easily accessible service and consultancy.

Performance• Our operation is based on pre-set result targets, which help us to produce high-quality services effectively and profi tably.• The staff is committed to the operational goals.

Wellbeing• We promote innovativeness, enterprise, and corporate activities.• We work together to ensure optimum interest, endurance and wellbeing at work.

The Values of the NBPRValues are continuously discussed in

the National Board of Patents and

Registration. After a discussion held

and preparations made in 2004, our

core ethical values were condensed

into the following concepts: Service,

performance, wellbeing, co-operation,

responsibility and development.

Co-operation• Our interaction with clients and other interest groups is open and active.• Operation inside the Offi ce is based on open co-operation among the staff.• We respect both equality and the work of our fellow workers.

Responsibility• Clients can rely on the objectivity and legal validity of our operation.• We operate impartially and independently. We are just and unbribable.

Development• We value know-how and support it through continuous training and development of professional skill.• As experts we develop our operations and services in both the national and international operating environment.


3 • N B P R a n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 0 4

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NBPR

Our Mission

Our Vision

The President’s Report

Calendar of Events

National Board of Patents and Registration

Organisation

Personnel

PatRek Client Service

Patent Library and Advisory Services

Enterprises and Corporations Line

Patents and Innovations Line

Trademarks and Designs Line

Association Affairs Unit

Marketing and Business Services Unit

Board of Appeal

NBPR Regionalised Over the Whole of Finland

Communications and Community Relations

Innofinland 2004

International Co-operation

Income and Expenditure Sheet

Balance Sheet

Annual Accounts Notes

Performance Report

Layout: Advertising Agency Kari Eklund-DM Oy

Printing House: Painorauma Oy

Photos:Archives of Firstbeat Technologies OyHeikki Savolainen / ABC-Studios LtdArchives of Jaspicom OyArchives of Nexstim OyNBPR’s archives Raimo Nikkanen / NBPR’s archives Juha Rahkonen / NBPR’s archives Archives of Rosette Systems OyArchives of Startex OyArchives of Soputuote KyComma PicturesAndrei Terentiev / NBPR’s archives

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FROM: NBPR

NBPR is like a mobile

phone – full coverage

abroad as well as

throughout Finland.



Our Mission

Our Vision 2007Creativity, know-how, enterprise, and collaboration are key factors for the

success of our clients, as well as the basis for technological, economic and

intellectual development and well-being in Finland.

•••••••••••

Our clients rely on our legal validity, impartiality, and internationally competi-

tive quality, and through the NBPR are also able to fully operate in internatio-

nal business and the multinational innovation system.

•••••••••••

Our service is fast, fl exible, and easily accessible at our Helsinki Head Offi ce

(Innohouse), regional service points, and electronic information networks.

•••••••••••

Our staff is the friendliest and most competent in Finland.

We respect our fellow workers, we are open, and we constantly strive to imp-

rove our performance.

As an organisation specialised in industrial property rights and business and corporation

activities, the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (NBPR) advances

enterprise, innovativeness, and corporate activities both in Finland and internationally.

The NBPR fosters human capital and furthers technological and economic

development by ensuring that

• companies, associations, and foundations are able to operate legally in Finland

• inventors, researchers, product developers, manufacturers, and marketers are able to

obtain patents, trademarks, design rights, or other forms of industrial property rights

• the interests of Finns are internationally protected.

• our information and consultation services are reliable and quickly accessible.



The year under review was one of busy activity and also the jubilee year of the regional and national INNOFNLAND events. INNOFINLAND has been in operation in every corner of Finland for ten years now and has annually culminated in the awarding of the President of the Republic’s Innofi nland Prizes, in regional events and awarding ceremonies. “Our future depends on our skills” is the main idea behind the project. This idea should be put into practice in working life and business, and it seems to me that we have largely succeeded in doing so.

The year under review once again saw regionalisation being eagerly brought to the fore.

The National Board of Patents and Registration has effectively regionalised its operations to cover all parts of the country over the last decade, as is gene-

rally recognised. We aim to further develop this activity, to the extent it is practical, economical, and relevant to the matters entrusted in our care. Last year a working group appointed by the National Board of Patents and Registration proposed the founding of a register of dwelling-owners in electronic form to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. It would comprise around 1.3 million units. According to the proposal, most of the work would be done in Local Register Offi ces, where the increase would be from 60 to 70 person-workyears. Under the principles of regionalisation the new central unit to be established could, in turn, well be located outside the metropolitan area. This Dwelling-Owner Register has been particularly desired by our interest groups.

International affairs have assumed an even more prominent role than previously in our operations, both globally, on the European level as well as in co-operation with neighbouring areas. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which is a United Nations specialised agency in the fi eld of intellectual property, granted the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland the rights of an international searching and examining PCT Authority in 2003. This has resulted in a substantial amount of organisational work and training in our Offi ce for over a year, and at the same time in an increase in the number

of examiner staff. We aim to start this new activity in April this year. We have entered into lengthy, and partly diffi cult, negotiations within the European Patent Organisation to get payment arrangements as reasonable and uniform as the other Offi ces in the same position. The debate on European patent solutions and their corresponding principles continues.

Our co-operation with WIPO has been excellent, and we have striven to support the operation of this organisation and to make a contribution to its various projects. Our aim is to develop co-operation with WIPO that also benefi ts Finnish SME enterprises. The fourth World Intellectual Property Day was celebrated on WIPO’s initiative on 26 April 2004. The general theme of the day was “Encouraging Creativity”, in accordance with the decision of Dr. Kamil Idris, Director General of WIPO. In Finland, too, various events will be organised in the future in connection with “WIPO Day”.

Our Offi ce’s fi eld of operation continued to expand when matters concerning Chambers of Commerce and religious communities, previously dealt with in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Education, were transferred to our Offi ce. In fact, workloads have increased overall, and I extend my warm thanks to the staff for their excellent contribution in the year under review. I also wish to thank our interest groups, who have given their support to our operations and their development.

In addition to carrying through the PCT project, in the near future we will focus on such things as revision of the Trade Register’s IT system; issues concerning foundations and balance sheets; and the revised pay system. Taking care of the wellbeing and training of the staff also plays a vital role, enabling us to appropriately face the growing challenges. We will develop the co-operation with our interest groups through our Board of Directors as well as the Advisory Committee for Associations and that of Enterprise Issues. As an Offi ce that deals with the business sector, non-governmental organisations and several other communities, and one that extensively participates in international co-operation, the National Board of Patents and Registration will this year once again place special emphasis on promoting creativity, skill, enterprise and co-operation both domestically and internationally.

Martti Enäjärvi

The

Pres

iden

t’s

Rep

ort



1.1.2004

31.12.2004

23.11. NBPR at the Registers are open! event in Helsinki

6.3. Modern gold

panning is demonstrated

at the Innogallery

17.3. Opening seminar of Innofi nland

26.4. World Intellectual Property Day

5.5. NBP

25.5. Anniversary of NBPR

3.-6.3. NBPR at the Kamppi building site event

24.2.

Seminar ”Immaterial property

Rights in Russia: Latest

Developments”

3.3. Minister Christoffer Taxell lectures to the Advisory Committee for Associations

10.-11.3. NBPR at the Information Days Exhibition in Helsinki

-19.3.

Closing of the “Savonius

catches the wind” exhibit

ion

at the Innogallery

16.-17.3.

NBPR at the

Oma Yritys 2004 contact

event in Helsinki

Calendar of EventsWe often hear people say that today’s busy lifestyle and the growth

of all kinds of different events is a kind of illusion, a mantra of present times. When you lay the photos, calendars and documents of the past year’s events on the table, however, we can see that this certainly is not the case. The pace of events has been breathtaking.

The calendar on this page, which shows the course of the different events held throughout the year, shows only the tip of the iceberg. In addition to the events noted in the calendar, we would also like to mention a few other focal points of our operation.

Among the most important of the newest of them are the NBPR’s practical Information Package Days, which were started in the Emplo-yment and Economic Development Centres (T&E Centres). Secondly, a large group of our experts visited the Pirkanmaa T&E Centre in Tam-pere last spring and the Kainuu T&E Centre in Kajaani in autumn. Also, co-operation with neighbouring Russia was expanded by organising a seminar on intellectual property in the Innohouse and by attending two seminars in the IP fi eld in St. Petersburg.

1.12. NBPR

Information Package Day

at the Kainuu T&E Centre



18.11. Innovation Day

22.-23.9.

NBPR at the Biotec

2004 special event

in Helsinki

13.5. Training of NBPR

management

16.-17.9. NBPR at the Myynti & Markkinointi (Sales&Marketing)

2004 summit in Helsinki

BPR presents its s

ervices at the

Pirkanmaa T&E Centre

11.-14.5. NBPR at the FinnTec 04 summit in Helsinki

10.5. NBPR hosts an E

PO seminar

26.5. Minister Mauri Pekkarinen gives a speech at Innofi nland’s 10th anniversary

15.-17.9.

NBPR at the

Subcontracting

2004 special event in

Tampere

25.5.- 31.12. “Innofi nland 10 years” exhibition

6.-8.10.

NBPR

at the

Technology 2004

special exhibition

in Jyväskylä

The most important tools in the co-operation with our interest groups, the Advisory Committee on Enterprise Issues and that on Association Affairs, convened regularly. As well as the experts already found in the Calendar who have visited those meetings, I would like to mention Programme Director Seppo Niemelä; Deputy Governor Matti Louekoski; Director Rauno Vanhanen; and Director Jukka Ah-tela.

The Intellectual Property Day declared by WIPO was celebrated for the fourth time. The day was marked with proper ceremonies, and as a matter of curiosity it may be mentioned that after the meetings organised in Innohouse, the World Intellectual Property Day saw the founding of a Support Association for Finnish Inventors.

We could not do justice to our Calendar for Events 2004 if we failed to mention natural healer Hannes Karppinen. On numerous occasions he and his group taught us the true essence of the Fitness for Work activity: that each of us deserves well-being.

Leo Lehdistö



Board of Directors in 2004The Council of State appointed a new Board of Directors for the period 17 September 2004 – 16 September 2007. Its members are:• Managing Director Jussi Järventaus, Federation of Finnish Enterprises, chairman • Deputy Director General Risto Paaermaa, Ministry of Trade and Industry, vice- chairman • President Martti Enäjärvi, National Board of Patents and Registration • Director Jukka Ahtela, Confederation of Finnish Industries • Director Leila Risteli, University of Oulu • Trademark Attorney Seija Saaristo, Association of Finnish Patent Attorneys • Chief Inspector Eija Lanne, National Board of Patents and Registration (representing the staff)

Management Group in 2004The President assisted by a management group answers for the performance of the National Board of Patents and Registration. • President Martti Enäjärvi, chairman• Senior Vice President Olli Koikkalainen• Vice President Eija Nuorlahti-Solarmo• Vice President Pekka Launis• Director of the Register of Associations Kalevi Sadeluoto• Director of Communications Leo Lehdistö• Director of Planning Kari Summanen, who also form a working committee in the management group, and • Director of Finance Raija Järviö• Director of International and Legal Affairs Eero Mantere• Deputy Director Christer Brännkärr, secretary• Director of Marketing Mika Waris• Director of Human Resources Esko Inkinen• Senior Examiner Matti Santero, representing the staff

The Co-operation Committee of the National Board of Patents and Registration in 2004The employer was represented by:• President Martti Enäjärvi, chairman• Senior Vice President Olli Koikkalainen, vice-chairman• Vice President Pekka Launis• Vice President Eija Nuorlahti-Solarmo• Director of Human Resources Esko Inkinen, secretary

The personnel was represented by:• Lawyer Timo Immonen, Negotiation Organi- sation for Public Sector Professionals JUKO• Senior Examiner Matti Santero, Graduate Engineers of Patent Administration / Confederation of Salaried Employees Pardia • Assistant Inspector Riitta Leikas, The Employees’ Association of NBPR / Confederation of Salaried Employees Pardia• Cashier Eija Peltonen, The Finnish National Union of State Employees and Special Services VAL (local trade union of the Ministry of Trade and Industry)

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland

Board of Directors 17 September 2001–16 September 2004. Back from the left: Antti Maijala, Paavo Uronen, chairman, Tytti Peltonen, Martti Enäjärvi. Front from the left: Risto Paaermaa, vice-chairman, Eija Peltonen and Eva Grew.

Board of Directors 16 September 2004–From top left: Leila Risteli, Martti Enäjärvi, Eija Lanne, Seija Saaristo, Risto Paaermaa (vice-chairman), Jukka Ahtela, and front left Jussi Järventaus (chairman).

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland was established in 1942. Previously its matters were dealt with by The Finance Department of the Finnish Senate, The Manufacture Board, The Industrial Board, and most recently by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, under the administrative sector of which it now comes. The National Board of Patents and Registration operates according to the principles of results management and results-oriented budgeting. The National Board of Patents and Registration covers its operating costs by levying service fees.



OrganisationDirector of Planning Kari SummanenDirector of Finance Raija JärviöDirector of International and Legal Affairs Eero MantereDeputy Director Christer BrännkärrDirector of Human Resources Esko Inkinen

Administration

Senior Vice President Olli Koikkalainen

• Trade Register • Balance Sheets and Annual Accounts• Enterprise Mortgages • Foundations


Vice President Eija Nuorlahti-Solarmo

• Trademarks • Designs


Director of Marketing Mika Waris

Marketing and Business Services

Vice President Pekka Launis

• Patents • Utility Models• Semiconductor Topographies


Director of the Register of Associations Kalevi Sadeluoto

Association Affairs Unit

Head of Client Service Marja Sinkkonen


Internal Audit

Management Group

Communications andCommunity RelationsDirector of CommunicationsLeo Lehdistö

Regional ServicesEmployment and EconomicDevelopment Centres

Local Register Offices

Enterprise AgenciesAdvisory Service

Chambers of CommerceAdvisory Service

Secretariat to PresidentSecretary to President Tuula Hirvonen

PresidentMartti Enäjärvi

Board of Appeal

Co-operation Committee

All NBPR services • Innovation agentsMatters concerning businesses

and corporations

See page 25.

Director Kristiina Grönlund

Patent Library and Advisory Services

Board of Directors



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NBPR

The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland (NBPR) employed a staff of 483 at the end of 2004, which exceeded the previous year’s fi gure by 1.9%. If those on extended leaves are also included, the fi gure amounts to 507. Just over two thirds of the staff were women; men correspondingly accounted for slightly less than a third. The average age was 45.5 years, showing a decrease of 0.2 years from the previous year. The number of temporary staff without a former permanent post grew to 14.6% of the total staff (ca. 10% in 2003). Some of the key indicators relating to the staff are presented in the adjoining diagrams. The NBPR continued work on developing the personnel policy and the management of human resources. The Offi ce values were decided on, and discussion on them with staff was started. Work on training and development of the work community went ahead according to plan. The fi rst telecommuting contracts were also

concluded last year and preliminary feedback on remote work in three different fi elds was positive. However, the main theme to emerge again in 2004 was the restructuring of the pay system. Thus, in order to have this long-running project completed during the year under review, this sector’s main resources were directed at the new pay structure. The NBPR’s Co-operation Committee and Management Group, which have convened regularly, contributed to the management of the Offi ce’s human resources. The Fitness for Work activity project (TYKY) was continued by organising a series of lectures dealing with work and the wellbeing of the work community, as well as a range of physical exercise activities and recreational events. Clarifi cation was needed of matters relating to the number and use of temporary staff. In 2004 we were able to appoint permanent posts to a considerable number of staff who had previously served in

Personnel

temporary posts. However, to be able to fl exibly even out peak backlogs and organise certain project-natured tasks, we have had to continue making use of temporary posts to some extent. By November 2004, after being at various stages, the Pake project of just over seven years reached a point at which the employer could give its fi rst offer for transfer to a new pay system starting from the beginning of 2005. The list of the achievements of this project includes the following: manuals on job requirement rating and individual performance rating; the near-completed processes of job requirements ratings, including revision and completion rounds, and completion of job descriptions; establishing guidelines for rating of individual performance; training; co-ordination and utilisation of the feedback received; creation of the Offi ce’s common, regular and documented practice in staff appraisal interviews; as well as preparations for facilitating contract negotiations.

Personnel by Age Group on 31 Dec. 2004

Number of Personnel in Person-Years 2004

Administration (incl. PatRek, Board of Appeal, Communications)





Register of Associations

Personnel by Educational Attainment

Master’s Degree, Postgraduate 187

Polytechnic, Bachelor’s Degree 90

Upper Secondary Education 124

Basic Education 82

Total 483

below 24

25–34

35–44

45–54

Over 55

FROM: NBPR

The Fitness for Work project is not merely exerciseIt is wide ranging promotion of well-

being at work, including for example a series of lectures on self care of body and mind by a natural healer.



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NBPR

The PatRek Client Service provides services to clients visiting our Offi ce in Helsinki. It also runs the Registry which receives applications, notifi cations, documents and fees to be processed by the Offi ce. The client service staff offer advice and information services. The registers, public documents and electronic information services provided by the National Board of Patents and Registration are available for public viewing at PatRek. In 2004, PatRek served more than 65,000 clients, i.e. an average of 300 clients per day. We also supplied a total of 36,800 register extracts, certifi cates and copies of documents subject to a charge.

The growing number of electronic services and service channels has to some extent reduced the amount of client visits to PatRek: actual visits to PatRek went down by approximately 7% from 2003. On the other hand, the clients who do come to PatRek now demand more professional and fl exible service than before. We have responded to this demand by further improving our client service according to the one-stop service principle, which in turn has required the staff to learn new skills.

We have also improved and modernised the facilities and computer terminals reserved for our clients.


[email protected]

www.prh.fi

Innohouse (Helsinki Head Offi ce)

Arkadiankatu 6 A

Helsinki

FROM: NBPR

The PatRek client service

centre at our Helsinki Head

Office provides services in

all areas within NBPR’s field

of activity. The advisory service

is supported by our examination,

archival and information services.



During the year under review, reorganisation took place within the Patents and Innovations Line: the former Library and Information Services Unit was integrated with the Advisory Unit to form a new entity, the Patent Library and Advisory Services.

The new unit will concentrate on one of the Line’s strategic focuses, namely the furthering of patent knowledge in Finland. It will ensure that all the most important domestic and international patent information is available for its Finnish clients in a modern format. Through active dissemination of patent information, the Unit aims to help the industry allocate its product development investments effectively, to further the introduction of new technology and to prevent the overlapping of R&D work. Collection of Patent Publications to Enter the Electronic Era

The Offi ce’s multi-million patent document collection is to become electronic. During the year under review, most of the paper collection was dispensed with. Electronic data bases and search programs have replaced them, so

that only the Nordic collection is left.In order to facilitate our clients’

information searches, a new data base, the esp@cenet, was developed in co-operation with the European Patent Offi ce. A new version was introduced in 2004, now also containing the patent family and legal status information. A GID data base is used for the delivery of copies of patent publications to clients and partly for information searches in the Reading Room. In the near future these services can be combined with those of the e-shop of the esp@cenet: when a client fi nds relevant publications in the esp@cenet, he can order them by e-mail. Books and journals over the Internet

The book collection of the Library is mainly in the printed form. The number of monographs was 23,000 copies at the end of the year. The Library is frequented not only by our Offi ce’s own staff but also by inventors, professional product developers and university students, who fi nd unique material for their post-graduate studies in the Library’s older periodicals and books.

Library and Advisory Services Joined Forces

The Library also serves its clients on the Offi ce website. Information on book and journal collections can be browsed through the Internet, and loans and due dates can also be conveniently checked on screen. The Library’s pages also include electronic forms for inter-library loans which can be used for ordering a book, or a copy of an article, either by post or e-mail.

Clients Increasingly Use their Own Initiative in Information Searches

The Internet has become a source of information for a growing number of people. The Line’s Internet pages and patent data bases are an excellent “fi rst aid” for many. The most popular pages are those with the patent and utility model guides, data bases, links and FAQs. Email is also replacing telephone calls when clients contact the personal advisory service.

When an examination is demanding, extensive and time-consuming, an increasing number of our clients turn to us as experts in information searches and patent knowledge.



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NBPR

The Enterprises and Corporations Line enters new businesses and makes amendments to company details in the Trade Register and the Business Information System (BIS), i.e. the base registers which serve Finnish businesses. We also register enterprise mortgages, foundation matters and supervise foundation administration.

The registers maintained by the Enterprises and Corporations Line are public and the information contained in them is available to all. We offer a wide range of information on businesses, annual accounts, enterprise mortgages and foundations.

Record Year for the Trade Register

2004 was a busy year at the Trade Register: registrations in Trade Register and annual accounts matters grew by 20%. For instance, we registered 13% more new businesses and 23% more annual accounts than in 2003.

Our objective is to improve the Trade Register’s data content, up-to-dateness and reliability. For this purpose, we removed over 42,000 inactive businesses from the Trade Register in 2004.

There were only minor changes in the number of registered applications for enterprise mortgages and foundation applications and notifi cations: we registered 1.5% more applications for enterprise mortgages and 2.4% less foundation applications and notifi cations compared with 2003.

The demand for information services continued to grow: almost 30 million searches for business details were made in the BIS Search at www.ytj.fi , a free information service jointly offered by the National Board of Patents and Registration (NBPR) and the Tax Administration. Electronic inquiries for details contained in the Trade Register also increased by 9% and inquiries concerning annual accounts by 30%. Inquiries about the details contained in the Register of Foundations rose 23% as compared to the previous year.

NBPR’s website at www.prh.fi provides continuously updated instructions and guidance concerning our registers. In 2004, the main page of the Trade Register, annual

accounts, enterprise mortgages and the Register of Foundations had more than 1.2 million visits. The website of the Business Information System (BIS), maintained by the NBPR and the Tax Administration, also provides instructions, forms for both authorities and registered details on businesses and organisations. The BIS website at www.ytj.fi had over 7.2 million visits in 2004.

Despite the high number of registrations, we were able to keep the processing times of clients’ notifi cations within target level. In 2004, the average processing time (median) of matters concerning the Trade Register was 10 working days.

New Organisation

We changed the organisation of the Enterprises and Corporations Line in 2004. Our goal is to pay more attention to the customer perspective than previously, and to make the Enterprises and Corporations Line more effective.

Following the reform, we now carry out our essential duties in three core processes: a handling process, a client and information service process and a supervision process. All these processes are supported by the Line’s administrative services, legal unit, and maintenance and development process responsible for the upkeep and improvement of the Line’s information systems.

The handling process is responsible for the processing and registration of notifi cations and applications. The client and information service process is in charge of the information and advisory services and the archiving of documents. The supervision process, in turn, controls foundations and Trade Register matters, registers foundation matters, chases up businesses having failed to submit their annual accounts and strikes closed-down businesses off the Register.

In 2004, we also began to establish our critical success factors and a related measurement system according to the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) system. Beginning from 2005, we will gradually introduce the new measurement system.

At the end of 2004, the Enterprises and Corporations Line had a staff of 153. Most

of them work in teams. Our target has been to offer the staff a fl exible and participative working pattern.

The Work to Improve Our Information Services Continues

EBR, a common information service maintained by European business registers, was upgraded in 2004: the NBPR was the fi rst in Europe to introduce a new enhanced user interface conveniently providing annual accounts from various countries to customers.

In 2004, the NBPR also began to make improvements to its own picture archive of annual accounts. The purpose is to increase electronic annual accounts services and speed up the processing of annual accounts.

In 2004, the NBPR formed new co-operation agreements resulting in turn in two new Trade Register-based Internet services: the eKatka service provided by Tietoenator Corporation and the Kaupparekisterilinkki service provided as an open service by Suomen Asiakastieto Oy. Registered details on businesses have been provided on the Internet since 1998. Today, our new services provide even more company details than


Searches on the ‘Browsing for businesses’ web page

(Million searches)

FROM: NBPR

EBR: Info on European

companies. In real time.

ALSO IN FINNISH

EBR – joint information

service for European

business registers



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FROM: NBPR

An efficient and reliable business register is a mainstay to business

throughout the world.We Finns set the example.

previously: no prior agreement is required, and they can now be obtained conveniently by phone or by using credit cards or Internet banking codes.

We also launched a project on electronic services together with the Tax Administration. In the fi rst phase, we will make plans for the electronic notifi cation of addresses and other business contact details. In order to best serve our clients, we will enter into an agreement with Finland’s Post Corporation to enable the notifi cation of company addresses through one single report to both the Trade Register, the Tax Administration and the Post Offi ce.

In the world of constantly increasing electronic services it has to be easy to check whether a person is entitled to represent a company. Therefore, we began to plan a new role ID service in 2004. In the future, it will be possible, through inquiries between information systems applications, to electronically check with the Trade Register whether a person is authorised to sign for the company.

Project to Reform Our Information Systems

A project to upgrade the information systems used in the registers of Enterprises and Corporations Line was launched in 2004. President of NBPR Martti Enäjärvi set up the project and appointed a management group for it. We prepared a project plan and supplemented the requirements analysis for new systems. The actual project will begin in 2005 and is planned to take several years.

Co-operation with Interest Groups

We consider it important to take into account our clients’ wishes and to improve our services in a customer-oriented manner when we upgrade our registers. One form of co-operation with the representatives of Finnish commerce and industry is the NBPR’s Advisory Committee For Enterprise Issues, which meets regularly to discuss topical issues concerning businesses and foundations.

In 2004, the members of the Committee were as follows:• Mr Markus Aaltonen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Veterator Oy• Mr Stig Henriksson, Deputy Managing Director, Federation of Finnish Commerce and Trade• Mr Erkki Kontkanen, Deputy Managing Director, Finnish Bankers’ Association• Mr Olavi Leppänen, LL.M. with court training, Pellervo Confederation of Finnish Cooperatives • Ms Leena Linnainmaa, Deputy Director, Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland• Mr Antti Maijala, Head of Department, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK• Ms Ulla Partanen, entrepreneur, Operaria Ulla Oy• Ms Ursula Ranin, Vice President, General Counsel, Nokia Corporation• Mr Pekka Sirviö, Attorney-at-Law, Castrén & Snellman Attorneys Ltd• Mr Rauno Vanhanen, Director, Federation of Finnish Enterprises

The Chairman of the Committee was President Martti Enäjärvi, the Vice Chairman Senior Vice President Olli Koikkalainen and the Secretary Deputy Director Ulla-Maija Sarkkinen. Other members from the NBPR were Deputy Director Sakari Kauppinen, Vice President Eija Nuorlahti-Solarmo and Director of Communications Leo Lehdistö.

Today, co-operation with other registrars to improve the effi ciency and quality of the registers, and to develop joint client services is more important than ever before. In 2004, we continued to work closely with the Tax Administration to maintain and upgrade our joint Business Information System.

Two of our registers, the Trade Register and the Register of Foundations, are national base registers. Therefore we work together with the Tax Administration in Register Pool, a co-operation organisation of Finnish base registers, set up by the Ministry of the Interior. The updated vision of Register Pool in 2004 is as follows: “Register Pool is a service-oriented and reliable co-operation network based on true collaboration and trust benefi ting all its members and customers.”

We have intensifi ed collaboration with our local authorities in Trade Register matters,

Advisory Committee For Enterprise Issues, from left to right: Deputy Managing Director Stig Henriksson, Federation of Finnish Com-merce and Trade; Senior Vice President Olli Koikka-lainen, NBPR; Director Rau-no Vanhanen, Federation of Finnish Enterprises; Deputy Managing Director Erkki Kontkanen, Finnish Bankers’ Association, and President Martti Enäjärvi, NBPR, at a committee meeting.

Register Details 2003 2004 Businesses in the Trade Register 499,773 471,175Foundations in the Register of Foundations 2,678 2,710Enterprise Mortgages 106,211 112,530

Received Notifi cations 2003 2004 Basic declarations 23,351 25,169 Amendment notifi cations 71,467 73,724 Applications 2,124 2,367 Letters relating to permission procedures 2,242 2,937 Public summons to creditors 1,100 1,356 Applications for permits for foreigners 97 99Notifi cations on address and contact details* 9,532 4,272 Notifi cations relating to annual accounts 76,138 98,321 Applications for enterprise mortgages 6,161 6,336 Applications and notifi cations concerning foundations 1,067 1,099

Registrations 2003 2004 New businesses 22,247 24,474 Amendments to company details 63,725 67,921 Other matters 27,941 49,868 Permits 1,745 2,096 Letters relating to permission procedures 2,212 2,974 Public summons to creditors 1,040 1,386 Permits for foreigners 80 103 Changes of address and contact details* 9,532 4,272 Annual accounts 76,113 93,400 Enterprise mortgages 6,227 6,319 Foundation matters 1,088 1,062 *) NBPR’s part of notifi cations on address and contact

details shared with the Tax Administration

i.e. T&E Centres and Local Register Offi ces, by organising courses.



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The main function of the Patents and Innovations Line is to examine the novelty and patentability of inventions described in patent applications, and to register utility models and semiconductor topographies. As a receiving authority, the National Board of Patents and Registration checks that international patent applications fi led meet the prescribed formal requirements. In addition, applications for a European patent can be fi led with our Offi ce. The Line is also in charge of the registration and publication of European patents that are validated in Finland. By the end of 2004, a total of 114,201 patents had been granted in Finland. The number of utility models registered was 6,530. A patent can be granted if, after examination, the invention is found to be industrially applicable, novel and innovative. The examination begins with a world-wide search to determine the current state of the art in the fi eld the invention relates to. This is followed by an assessment of whether the invention is novel compared with, and essentially differs from, the concepts found in the present art. If the assessment is positive, a patent may be granted. In our Offi ce we have over 80 examiners processing patent applications. Applicants who have fi rst fi led their application in Finland obtain the results of the search within six to eight months from the fi ling date. The result makes it easier for the applicant to decide whether to pursue the application abroad during the priority year. Utility model applications are examined only to see if they meet the formal requirements. Responsibility for examining the novelty or the inventiveness does not rest with the National Board of Patents and Registration.

Number of Applications on the Rise Again

The number of domestic patent applications

fi led in 2004 was slightly higher than that of the previous year. The rise in the application numbers, which already began in late 2003, continued and accelerated in the fi rst part of the year, then slowed down somewhat, but took an upward turn again towards the end of the year. The number of foreign applications fi led also exceeded the previous year’s fi gures. A new enterprise rose to the top ten of biggest patent applicants: Nanolab Systems Oy from Jyväskylä, which makes laboratory instruments and materials designed for nano research.

A Quarter of Patent Applications Now Filed Electronically

The projects of electronic fi ling progressed. Last year as many as 25 % of national applications were fi led electronically, as were nearly 20 % of a total of 1006 international patent applications fi led through our Offi ce and ca. 15 % of the nearly 6,000 validations of European patents in Finland.

Preparations for transferring the patent applications record system and the Patents Register to a new program are in the fi nal phase. A new system has been developed for paying fi ling and renewal fees by which the applicant can move directly from our Offi ce’s Internet pages to the bank’s pages to pay the fees.

Since the beginning of 2001, the Line has scanned all national patent applications not fi led electronically and the mail relating to them. The objective is to create an electronic application fi le which clients also could study via the Internet. Scanning was extended to the translations of the European patents, with the aim of providing our clients an opportunity to read them in the esp@cenet database too. A joint project was launched with the National Archive Service for fi ling of electronic documents.


2003 2004

Patent applications 2,187 2,220 • domestic 1,990 2,011 • foreign 197 209 Patents granted 2,402 2,075 European patents validated in Finland 6,266 5,759 Patents in force at the end of the year • granted by NBPR 18,601 18,234• granted by European Patent Offi ce 13,362 17,825

2003 2004

Utility model applications 496 496• domestic 480 474• foreign 16 22Registered utility models 426 434Utility models in the registerat the end of the year 3,091 3,156

Nokia Corporation 176Metso Corporation 149 Kone Corporation 61VTT 51ABB Oy 48Outokumpu Oyj 43 Nanolab Systems Oy 19Kemira Group 19 Sandvik Tamrock Oy 17Wärtsilä Finland Oy 16Rotatek Finland Oy 15Elisa Oyj 15TeliaSonera Finland Oyj 14Filtronic LK Oy 14

FROM: NBPR

Patent information is

available to all:

it efficiently directs R&D,

promotes the use of new

technology and reduces

overlapping R&D.

Patent Applications

Utility Model Applications

Domestic Companies with the Highest Numbers of Applications

Filed in Finland in 2004



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PCT Authority Status Materialising

In the autumn of 2003, the World Intellectual Property Organisation, a UN specialised agency administering the PCT system, appointed Finland as an international searching and patentability examination authority. The setting up of the Line’s PCT process began immediately after the decision had been made. One of the most important tasks was to make the examiners familiar with the system. The advanced training for examiners, the so-called qualifi cation programme, which was started already in 2003, gained momentum in the year under review and it was expanded to cover the requirements of the PCT system. Along with other education given, several training days focusing on the processing of PCT applications were organised for examiners. Further training in information retrieval was also started, as well as advanced courses in English.

Instructions were drawn up for the processing of PCT applications and their adequacy was tested by experimental applications. A quality control group has already served in the Line for some time. The year under review saw the establishment of a quality working group which was assigned the task of creating a quality control system for the Line, with ISO 9000 as the model. The National Board of Patents and Registration partici-pated last year for the fi rst time in the meeting of international PCT authorities in WIPO.

APPLICATIONS OF DOMESTIC APPLICANTS BY

TECHNICAL FIELD

Patent Applications in 2004

Human necessities

Performing operations, transporting

Chemistry and metallurgy

Textiles and paper

Fixed constructions

Mechanical engineering, lighting,

heating, weapons, blasting

Physics

Electricity

Utility Model Applications in 2004

Human necessities

Performing operations, transporting

Chemistry and metallurgy

Textiles and paper

Fixed constructions

Mechanical engineering, lighting,

heating, weapons, blasting

Physics

Electricity

FROM: WIPO

Finland is now the 11th PCT authority!

Start of operations: 1 April 2005.

Amendment to the Patents Act

In the year under review Parliament approved an amendment to the Patents Act thanks to which the period for pursuing international applications in Finland is now 31 months from the fi ling date of the fi rst application, even if the applicant has not asked for a preliminary examination of patentability. The amendment follows a revision of the PCT agreement dating back to 2001. The Act came into force on 1 January 2005. The Taske Working Group, appointed to study whether it was necessary to develop the current industrial property agent system, completed its assignment. There is an act on patent agents in the patent fi eld. A person who professionally carries out the duties of a patent agent must enter himself in the Register of Patent Agents maintained by the National Board of Patents and Registration.

The Working Group made a proposal for the creation of

a voluntary regist-ration system which would also cover trademark agents. The

professional capability of the agents to be

registered would be controlled by organising

a special examination for prospective agents.

The proposal for a Regulation on a Community

Patent and the proposal for a Directive on the

Patentability of Computer-Implemented Inventions failed

to be approved in the year under review. The debate on these continues.




Trademark Applications for Finland by Countries in 2004 (top twenty)

Country National International EU Total Germany 36 1,222 9,627 10,885 United States 324 178 10,164 10,666 Great Britain 32 84 6,466 6,582 Spain 13 68 5,435 5,516 Italy 7 329 4,816 5,152 France 18 495 4,372 4,885 Finland 2,598 1 431 3,030 Netherlands 21 231 2,074 2,326 Switzerland 18 423 1,321 1,762 Japan 27 105 1,447 1,579 Austria 130 1,290 1,420 Sweden 65 154 999 1,218 Belgium 2 43 847 892 Denmark 29 83 754 866 Canada 7 1 712 720 Poland 12 72 547 631 Taiwan 9 2 542 553 Ireland 3 4 539 546 Portugal 17 499 516 Australia 2 58 405 465

2003 2004

Trademark applications ................... 3,186 3,320 • domestic .....................................2,456 2,598 • foreign ...........................................730 722Processed applications ...................4,198 3,561Applications pending at the end of the year ....................... 3,565 3,315Preliminary examinations ................... 235 263Processing time (months) .................... 9 8.7

National Trademark Applications 2004 by Class

Education; sporting and cultural activities

Advertising; business management and administration

Scientifi c and electric apparatus; computer software

Scientifi c, technological and legal services

Paper goods, printed matter, offi ce requisites

Clothing, footwear, headgear

Pharmaceutical preparations

Telecommunications

Games and playthings; sporting articles

Other classes

FROM: NBPR

Trademarks’ popularity

growing world-wide Finland, too, saw a record

number of trademarkapplications being filed

in 2004.

National Trademarks

Trademarks

The Trademarks and Designs Line processes national applications for trademark regis-tration and decides whether international registrations under the 1996 Madrid Agree-ment Concerning the International Registra-tion of Marks are valid in Finland. In addition, we conduct searches on the confusability of Community Trademarks applications in our own Register. We also process renewals of validity of trademark registrations, as well as other matters concerning the Trademark Register. The national Trademark Register contains 176,650 trademarks, of which 81,457 are currently in force. Registration must be renewed after a term of ten years. The protection time, however, is unlimited. It is possible to have a trademark

registered as valid in Finland in three ways: 1. A national application for registration is fi led with the National Board of Patents and Registration (NBPR), which is responsible for keeping the Register. 2. An international application based on the Madrid Agreement is fi led with the authorities of the country in which the applicant has his or her domicile, and is then referred to the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva. From there a registration concerning Finland is sent to the NBPR for processing and a registration concerning the European Community is sent to the EU Offi ce for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM). 3. A trademark can be registered as a Community Trademark with OHIM in Alicante, Spain.

The oldest Finnish trademark currently in force.



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The Number of National Applications Grew

Even if the total number of trademark applications has declined since 2001, the number of national applications, however, rose slightly in 2004: a total of 3,320 national applications were fi led, which is 4.5% more than in 2003 (3,186). The number of international registrations continued to fall: we conducted 4,572 international registrations, which is 6.2% less than in 2003 (4,875). A slightly greater number of Community Trademark applications were fi led with OHIM, compared with the previous year. We transmitted 60,934 search results concerning our own national Register (41,458 in 2003). The number of applications for renewal of trademark registrations totalled 4,644, which is 5.2% less than in 2003 (4,898). At the end of the year, the processing time of national applications

was 8.7 months and that of international applications 9.5 months. The processing time of renewals is now approximately 3 months.

Designs

Like trademarks, for the fi rst time, the registration of designs at the NBPR was in real competition with OHIM throughout the entire year under review. When comparing 2004 to 2003 simply on grounds of statistics from the last three quarters, we can see that the demand concerning both applications and designs seems to have fallen almost to the same level as it was after the Community Design system was introduced on 1 April 2003. However, since we compare whole calendar years in this Annual Report, the fi gures mentioned above are not entirely comparable.

A total of 215 applications for design registration were fi led in 2004 (287 in 2003), containing 644 designs (721 in 2003). The percentage of domestic applications continued to increase and accounted for 85% of new applications for design registration (71% in 2003). The processing time of applications for design registration was 9.7 months.

The number of design registration renewal applications dropped a little from 631 in 2003 to 593 in 2004. At the end of 2004, the Design Register contained 5,406 registrations in force (5,735 in 2003).

Clearly the largest group of products for which design protection was applied in Finland was telephone devices (class 14). The second largest group were packages (class 9) and the third largest was furniture (class 6).

A total of 98 applications for Community Designs were sent to OHIM through the NBPR (50 in 2003). A total of 11,476 applications for registered Community Designs were fi led with OHIM (10,470 in 2003). These applications contained 43,856 designs (40,620 in 2003).

FROM: NBPR

Design protection

does the job!

Telephone devices,

packages and furniture

items topped the list of

applications in 2004...

Design Rights 2004

2003 2004Applications for design registration 287 215Designs included in those applications 721 644

Designs included in processed applications, 950 665of which registered designs 803 447

Renewal and amendment applications 680 623

Designs pending at the end of the year 672 716

Preliminary examinations 18 20

Processing time (months) 10.2 9.7

Information and Advisory Services Maintained by the Trademarks and Designs Line

Our website and information services are still in frequent use. Each year, hundreds of thousands of inquiries are made in our trademark database and tens of thousands of inquiries in our design database. We will continue to further improve our information and advisory services.

Restructured Trademarks and Designs Line

In January, a project was set up to improve the activities of the Trademarks and Designs Line. It was carried out in the fi rst part of 2004 and included several interviews with key interest groups and clients and seminars for the staff. After the seminars for the Line’s key persons, we set new strategic objectives, created a new vision and a clearer mission statement. The end result was that the Line’s organisation was restructured by uniting former Trademarks Unit and Design Rights Unit and by establishing three new processes: a handling process, an administrative process and a client and marketing process. At the same time, we also renewed the Line’s working methods. We are now concentrating more than ever on marketing and client service: our purpose is to increase the Finnish SME sector’s awareness of trademarks and designs.



By the end of 2004 a total of 122,761 associations and 290 religious communities, local communities and congregations had been entered in the Register of Associations. The Register received a total of 19,504 notices concerning establishment, amendments to rules, changes in the right to sign for an association and dissolution. Applications for preliminary examination received amounted to 149.

A total of 19,699 decisions were made and 2,260 new associations were registered. The average processing time for establishment notices was 3 months, and for other notices 6 months. Notices relating to changes in the right to sign for an association were processed almost in real time. We are continuing to improve the contents of the Register of Associations by expanding the classifi cation of associations and by adding the dates of establishment to the data entered in the Register.

Central Chamber of Commerce and Chambers of Commerce in the Register of Associations

There are 21 chambers of commerce operating in Finland. The Central Chamber of Commerce acts as their common organ. Together they form the organisation of Chambers of Commerce, which has a membership of approximately 17,000 enterprises and corporations.

Religious Communities, Local Communities and Congregations

The new Freedom of Religion Act which came into force on 1 August 2003 makes it easier for religious communities to get offi cial recognition. Under the law, the National Board of Patents and Registration (NBPR) decides on the eligibility of religious communities for registration and keeps a register of them. Previously, the matters were dealt with in the Ministry of Education and the register was maintained by the Population Register Centre. When a new religious community is being established, it shall acquire a statement regarding the purpose and lawfulness of its operation from an expert board appointed by the Ministry of Education.

Today there are 57 religious communities in Finland, among them the Catholic Church in Finland, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Jewish Congregation of Helsinki, the Finnish Islamic Congregation (Tatar community), and the Evangelical Free Church of Finland.

Matters Concerning Exemptions Transferred to the Register of Associations

Formerly granted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, exemptions to provisions regarding the place of residence of the Chairperson of the Executive Committee are now handled by the Register of Associations at the NBPR.

Association Affairs UnitElectronic Services

The electronic services provided by the Register of Associations include KATKA-YREKA, NetYreka, CD-YREKA, AssociationNet, WAP-YREKA and the AssociationAddresses service. We have further enhanced the search properties of AssocationNet and NetYreka. The WAP-YREKA service has been available to Elisa mobile phone subscribers since March 2002. TeliaSonera subscribers have been able to use the service since October 2004. The service provides currently valid data on associations entered in the Register and includes more than 120,000 registered associations. Clients have the Association Register’s excellent search facilities at their disposal, with the help of which they can easily fi nd data on any association. We provide the same information services on the organisation of Chambers of Commerce and religious communities as in the case of associations.

Finnish political parties are also entered in the NBPR’s Register of Associations.



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NBPR

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Inquiries in WAP-Yreka in 2004

Jan Mar May July Sept NovFeb Apr June Aug Oct Dec

The Advisory Committee for Associations

As a link between the Association Affairs Unit and other parties concerned serves the Advisory Committee for Associations in Finland. It meets regularly to debate and handle topical legislative and other issues of importance to organisations. This Committee has representatives from the six biggest political parties, from central labour market organisations and from organisations in the fi elds of commerce, agriculture and sport.

In 2004, the Members of the Committee were:

• Mr Pertti T. Hyvönen, Deputy Manager, Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions• Ms Kerstin Ekman, Director of Sport Policy, Finnish Sports Federation• Mr Esko Grekelä, Secretary for Trade Union Affairs, Left Alliance• Mr Berth Sundström, Secretary General, Swedish People’s Party• Mr Rauno Lindahl, Head of Negotiations, Employers’ Confederation of Service Industries• Mr Eero Lankia, Secretary General, Finnish Centre Party• Mr Matti Hynynen, Director, Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees STTK • Mr Jarmo Nurmio, Head of Organization Unit, Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland• Ms Katariina Poskiparta, Director, Green League of Finland• Mr Hannu Rautiainen, LL.M., Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers• Mr Matti Kankare, Project Manager, National Coalition Party• Mr Matti Voutilainen, Director, Central Union of Agricultural Producers and

Forest Owners• Mr Rauno Vanhanen, Director, Federation of Finnish Enterprises• Mr Vesa Mauriala, Head of Political Department, Finnish Social Democratic Party• Mr Guy Wires, Managing Director, Federation of Finnish Commerce and Trade

The Chairman of the Committee is President Martti Enäjärvi, the Vice-Chairman Director of the Register of Associations Kalevi Sadeluoto, and the Secretary Deputy Director Kari-Pekka Helminen. Other members are Senior Vice President Olli Koikkalainen and Director of Communications Leo Lehdistö.

FROM: NBPR

122,761 associations in Finland.Info on these now also via the mobile phone!

visits

Committee Meetings in 2004:

3 March 2004, Minister Christoffer Taxell: ”The Future of the Third Sector/State Authorities”4 May 2004, Programme Director Seppo Niemelä: ”Civil Participation”14 September 2004, Deputy Governor Matti Louekoski: ”How can an Association Legally Manage its Economic Affairs?”30 November 2004, Director Jukka Ahtela and LL.D. Timo Esko: ”How Long will the EU Permit National Terms of Employment and Independent Democracy in the Member States?” and ”EU/Member States – Principles of Labour Law”, 10th anniversary sauna after the meeting.



The intellectual property system(information sources and protectionforms) constitutes a significantpart of the innovation environment

Ideas,entrepreneurship

Profitablebusiness,

competitiveness,growth

Employment

• Financing• Support services

• Know-how environment• Expert network

• Information sources• Protection forms

Tuoteväylä

IdealuotsiInnovation-

friendlyenvironment

}}

The main task of the Marketing and Business Services Unit is to market and develop the commercially based business services of the National Board of Patents and Registration (NBPR). The services are developed in close co-operation with the NBPR’s client service, advisory service and Line units.

We focus on offering clients and interest groups information about businesses and organisations as well as industrial property rights. This information is maintained and administered by the NBPR and disseminated through various channels for utilisation in research, product development and decision-making.

Our Commercial Services

Our commercial services for customers include: • examination and information services in various technical fi elds • examination services relating to trademarks and designs • information services of the Register of Associations • information services of the Trade Register • courses in patents and trademarks• courses in Trade Register matters

The Intellectual Property System Serves Businesses

An innovation-friendly environment encourages R&D. The intellectual property system forms an essential part of such an

environment. Through this, businesses have powerful competitive tools at their disposal to support their R&D and marketing. The intellectual property protection system comprises• copyright • trade secrets• trademarks and design right, and • utility models and patents. Together they form a system to reduce risks in business.

As well as exclusive rights for periods of various lengths, the system offers an excellent view of the world of competitor information and R&D in particular. Thus the intellectual property system provides businesses with effective competitive tools, protection systems and information sources, enabling them to • better direct their R&D and avoid ‘inventing the wheel twice’• fi nd favourable technical solutions • speed up their R&D process • gain protection for their R&D • reduce the risk for fi nanciers• obtain information on competition • support the building of brands • become more international• fi nd licence partners or partners in co-operation • avoid infringing others’ rights.

Specialist Qualification in Product Development In 2004, we took part in the implementation of a Specialist Qualifi cation in Product Development. This qualifi cation belongs to the competence-based qualifi cations system maintained by the Finnish National Board of Education, and is part of the Finnish adult education system.

The requirements of the intellectual property system’s essential features of expertise must be met in order to obtain the Specialist Qualifi cation in Product Development, i.e. one must be able to use patent information as an information source in R&D and to protect a product in the R&D process.

We are also members of the Qualifi cation Committee for Specialist Qualifi cations in Product Development, which is responsible for improving the quality of the qualifi cation and for managing and directing operations relating to it. Idealuotsi Project During 2004, we launched a co-operation project (Idealuotsi) proposed by WIPO. The purpose of the project is to promote the employment and the progress of entrepreneurship and SMEs in Finland. Through this project we will create good practices for providing SMEs with the services of the intellectual property system.

A challenge to Finnish competitiveness




The Board of Appeal is an independent body which applies administrative legislation in connection with the National Board of Pa-tents and Registration of Finland (NBPR). By way of the Act on the Hearing of Appeals before the National Board of Patents and Registration, it decides on appeals against decisions taken by the NBPR concerning the granting of patents or the registration of de-signs, semiconductor topographies, utility models or trademarks, as well as on appeals against fi nal decisions taken on other matters relating to the above protection forms.

Furthermore, the Board deals with ap-peals against the NBPR’s decisions concer-ning refusals to register notices to the Trade Register, the Register of Associations or the Foundation Register, and refusals to grant applications for permission to establish a foundation or for ratifi cation of its by-laws.

Further appeals on decisions of the Bo-ard of Appeal may in turn be made to the Supreme Administrative Court.

The Board of Appeal consists of a Chair-man and two other members, whom the Chairman summons to each session depen-ding on the nature of the appeal case. Thus, the composition of the Board varies in order to ensure its familiarity with and its expert knowledge of the case under hearing. Due to the internationalisation of the regulations on the protection of industrial property rights, the importance of knowledge of industrial property rights and their progress is empha-sised when deciding on appeals.

The appeal cases dealt with in the ses-sions are prepared by two Senior Engineers, who are members of the permanent staff, the Head of the Division and a presenting offi -cial. They are assisted by the Departmental Secretary, who carries out the practical tasks of the Board.

Board of Appeal Statistics in 2003 and 2004 (2003 in brackets)

Patents Trade- Designs Trade Utility Association Found- Total marks Register Models Register ations

Cases lodged with the Board ........................ 65 (37) 144 (172) 6 (5) 2 (2) 11 (4) 1 (1) 1 (1) 230 (222) Cases decided by the Board ........................ 36 (38) 114 (144) 3 (5) 2 (2) 9 (4) 1 (-) 1 (-) 166 (193) Amendments to decisions taken by the NBPR ...........15 (12) 21 (34) - (-) 1 (-) 5 (2) - (-) - (-) 42 (48)

Opinions given to the SupremeAdministrative Court ...........15 (21) 19 (21) - (1) - (1) 4 (1) 1 (-) 1 (-) 40 (45)

Interim decisions ............... - (-) - (2) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (-) - (2)

Cases undecided at the end of the year ...... 58 (29) 303 (273) 11 (8) 2 (2) 5 (3) 1 (1) 1 (1) 381 (317)

is how well project parties and actors in the innovation system manage to extend the use of the system by raising awareness of it and by improving services, directed especially at SMEs, that encourage the use of information sources and the intellectual property protection system. This, in turn, poses a challenge to SMEs, which, consequently, are required to increase their knowledge in this area, to develop and implement improved working methods and solutions in order to control and protect their know-how and knowledge. Tuoteväylä Project Our unit is a key actor in the Tuoteväylä project. The project was introduced in 2004 and is fi nanced by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and administered by the Foundation for Finnish Inventions. The purpose is to provide a network for Finnish R&D experts to work together to advance Finnish commerce and industry and to create effi cient practices between various parties and interest groups.

Other objectives are:• to help innovation-based business oppor-tunities develop into entrepreneurial activity• to maintain the process of continuous learning in the group of R&D experts • to promote a more active use of services offered by various actors in regional R&D projects • to encourage the use of industrial property rights to protect the results of R&D projects • to promote a more active use of existing knowledge and know-how in regional R&D projects, with a focus on patent information• to reduce overlapping resources in the development of products and services• to clarify the roles, working processes and communication of various actors• to create a working pattern for the network co-ordinator • to build a marketing concept that can be used regionally • to set up an expert resource bank

The Tuoteväylä project is based on a previously completed co-operation project which resulted in the TuoteStart service product for T&E Centres, to promote the commercialisation of innovations. TuoteStart provides a new way of operating in a network and of using the services of the intellectual property system. It includes in particular the creation of an internal expert network for T&E Centres and close co-operation with consultants, interest groups and an external expert network. The service helps to collect new ideas and projects from a wide-ranging area in order to include them in the scope of the entrepreneurship support network. In this way, services of the intellectual property system are accessible to clients when they need them.

Board of appeal



According to Section 2 of the Act on the National Board of Patents and Registration, the mission of the NBPR is to further technological and economic progress. In this mission, we have emphasised the promotion of a balanced regional structure and vitality of our entire country. The speed, fl exibilityand ease of access of the service at both our Helsinki main offi ce and regional service points as well as in our electronic information networks form the basis of our client-oriented activities. This is the reason why the NBPR has strongly regionalised its services during the past 15 years.

The T&E Centres as one-stop-services, Local Register Offi ces, Chambers of Commerce, Enterprise Agencies and Tax Offi ces (through the Business Information System) presently constitute the NBPR’s regional units. In addition, the NBPR has signed a co-operation agreement with innovation agents in each T&E Centre and with 12 innovation agents at Universities and Institutions of Higher Education.

Even though the majority of our clients operate in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, our main purpose now is to improve and diversify our client service by extending our services to other Finnish regions.

NBPR Regionalisation Report Presented to the Minister on 31st August 2004

The National Board of Patents and Registration presented its views to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Mauri Pekkarinen, as a part of the ongoing government survey into ways of strengthening regional services. The extensive Report concluded that during the last ten years the NBPR has put great emphasis on the regionalisation of its services. The T&E Centres and the innovation agents operating in both them and at universities are the focus of the NBPR’s strategy for promoting operation on a regional level. The NBPR will also open-mindedly observe all opportunities to strengthen high-tech centres that may evolve in the future, and also the government agencies’ joint actions towards the regionalisation of administrative and support services. The most important opening in the Report was, however, a totally new “innovation”: the establishment of a Register of shareholders in housing companies as a part of the NBPR’s operations!

Register of Shareholders in Housing Companies

According to the broad-based preparatory work, the registration of shareholders in housing companies and other owner details would have great social and economic importance. The owner register would have a positive impact on shareholders and businesses, and on the sales and marketing of apartments and business premises. For the fi rst time, the Register would add up the important national property contained in housing stocks. Also, the preparation of reliable housing statistics would be considerably easier. A paperless, electronic, offi cially reliable register of shareholders in housing companies would make it possible to dispense with printed share certifi cates, thus simplifying and facilitating the sale of apartments and, in the long run, also their use as securities. The administration and management of housing companies would become easier. Register entries would replace shareholders’ ledgers. The register would have many users ranging from private persons to businesses and authorities. The electronic registration of shareholders would concern nearly 80,000 housing companies and other limited liability companies. The total number of apartments in the companies would be about 1,300,000. It is estimated that there would be some 200,000 entries on shareholders and changes of ownership in the register each year. When presenting the preparatory report to Minister Pekkarinen, President Martti Enäjärvi expressed his wish that the Minister together with the Ministry of Trade and Industry would take appropriate measures in order to establish this necessary register of shareholders in housing companies.

NBPR Regionalised Over the Whole of Finland



Regional NBPRT&E Centres (15) All NBPR services are one-stop-service principle services. Allinnovation agents also placed in T&E Centers.

Local Register Offi ces (35) are NBPR local service points in both Trade Register and Enterprises and Corporations Line matters.

Innovation agents (12) are innovation experts jointly mandated by the NBPR and the Foundation for Finnish Inventions at Universities and Institutions of Higher Education.

Offi ces of Enterprise Agency (32) promote the founding of new businesses and their economic progress through cooperation agreements.

Chambers of Commerce (21) add to the coverage of Trade Register services on regional level.

Innofi nland: A project looking for local innovations in regions all over Finland and promoting creativity and know-how.

Tax Offi ces (about 120) Through the Business Information System, the tax administration’s offi ces have also become part of NBPR local service points.



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FROM: NBPR

Welcome to INNOGALLERY:Be inspired by Finnish success stories,creativity and know-how!



Communications and Community RelationsFrom the beginning of 2004, the NBPR has taken part in the development of the Yrityssuomi.fi web portal (of which the version for foreigners and immigrants is Enterprisefi nland.fi ). The aim of the Yrityssuomi Development Management Group in the fi rst phase is to expand the portal, in particular for future entrepreneurs and businesses. Internal communication at the NBPR in 2004 rested almost solely in the hands of the offi ce newsletter Ikiliikkuja. Our offi ce’s intranet, the Innonet, was revamped by our data administration unit, but the development and expansion of its contents will have to wait for the contribution of a new Intranet Chief Editor, to be employed in 2005. Ikiliikkuja was issued every other week except for the summer break, making a total of 20 issues! Judging from the feedback, Ikiliikkuja was popular and successfully fulfi lled the requirements of a fi rst-rate channel of internal communication. The clients’ magazine PRHtieto enjoyed its sixth year of publication. According to the feedback from its readers the magazine has proved both useful and popular. PRHtieto was written entirely by the staff, thereby ensuring articles of the appropriate relevance and expertise. However, writing in addition to one’s regular job is highly demanding on resources, and this is one of the reasons why PRHtieto was still only published twice a year. Among the articles published in PRHtieto during 2004 were the following:

• NBPR regionalised all over Finland• Local Register Offi ces serve in NBPR matters• Associations Register refl ects changes in society• “Mouse” conquers the world• The Trade Register is reliable• Finland gets new Register on shareholders in housing companies?• Foundations Register and the Riihi Foundation• Software directive hoped to clarify patenting practices• New product development network to further enterprise and employment The Innogallery’s focus in 2004 was on Innofinland’s 10-year history

In the exhibition “Innofi nland 1994-2004” visitors were able to study all innovations and businesses that have received awards through Innofi nland in the last ten years. A new data base containing a video archive was also very popular: this presented all the prize winners and showed video clips of past prize-awarding ceremonies.

Savonius Catches the Wind

This Innogallery exhibition that was organised in the beginning of 2004 presented one of the most famous Finnish inventors, Sigurd Savonius (1884-1931). The most well-known application of his invention was

the Savonius rotor that used to be seen on house rooftops all over the world rotating the blades of air conditioners. Not surprisingly, although small, this exhibition even attracted international attention.

NBPR at fairs

In 2004, the NBPR attended six national fairs: Oma Yritys 2004, Bio Tech 2004, FinnTec 2004, Subcontracting 2004, Myynti&Markkinointi (Sales &Marketing) 2004, and Technology 2004. We have received positive feedback from visitors regarding our representation at fairs. Our staff who have worked on our stands consider our participation in these fairs worthwhile, and an excellent way of raising our profi le.

In 2004, NBPR’s activities were presented in regional events at the Pirkanmaa T&E Centre on 5 May, 2004 and at the Kainuu T&E Centre on 1 December 2004.

Website Visited nearly 200,000 Times Each Month

The tri-lingual NBPR website (www.prh.fi )had over 200,000 visitors in 2004. The number of visits to the website has doubled since the revision of the content, appearance and technique of the pages in 2002. The pages are under constant development and our client service is also being enhanced: in 2004, for instance, our electronic publications were made available on a special page, and the client magazine PRHtieto is now also published in PDF format on the website.

The editorial responsibility for the website is divided between the different lines and units at the NBPR; the Editor-in-Chief is the Information Offi cer of the Communications and Community Relations Unit. For the development and coordination of the website, a special working group has been established, consisting of 20 members representing all the lines and units of our Offi ce. The working group is headed by the Editor-in-Chief of the website.

An INNOFINLAND anniversary publication was published in 2004.



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The Innofi nland Anniversary Seminar was held in Innogallery on 26 April 2004. Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen pointed out in his speech at the seminar that while product development runs smoothly in Finland, and fi nancial instruments for technology development serve their purpose, there are still problems in the com-mercialisation and launching of completed innovations and in the internationalisation of new business activities. What we need is even closer co-operation between national actors in the fi eld of innovations. Minister Pekkarinen added that the INNOFINLAND Project has supported this goal during the ten years of its existence. At the seminar, Chairman of the Innofi nland Jury, President of NBPR Martti Enäjärvi also presented a recent comparative study that clearly shows that prize-winners have greatly benefi ted from Innofi nland in terms of new orders, customers, employment and an increasing public awareness of their innovations on the market. The goal of the INNOFINLAND Project is to promote creativity, skill, entrepreneurial

INNOFINLAND 2004Tenth year of the INNOFINLAND Project.

spirit and co-operation in Finland in a practical and creative way in order to improve opportunities to increase well-being nationally. This is also the purpose of awarding both the annual INNOFINLAND Prizes of the President of the Republic and the Regional INNOFINLAND Prizes, as well as the celebration of National Innovation Day and regional events. The Invention Contest for Conscripts, INNOINT, was part of the Project for the sixth time running. The INNOSCHOOL Innovation Event for School Pupils was arranged for the fourth time in co-operation with the National Board of Education. The theme for the INNOFINLAND Contest 2004 was ‘Creativity and SMEs’. President Tarja Halonen handed out the INNOFINLAND Prizes of the President of the Republic for the fi fth time. She awarded fi ve equal INNOFINLAND Prizes and one Honourable Mention on the basis of nominations by the jury:• Firstbeat Technologies Oy, Jyväskylä, Heart Beat Analysis Technology • Jaspicom Oy, Hämeenlinna, A Swivel Front

FROM: NBPR

INNOFINLAND is the

leading Finnish event

which searches for, raises

awareness of, encourages

and awards prizes to

Finnish innovations.

INNOSCHOOL Prize-winners from comprehensive schools and vocational schools and winners in INNOINT also received their prizes.

UPPER PICTURE: INNOFINLAND Prize-winners to the right

from the President of the Republic: Soile Puljula, Jukka Järvinen,

Pertti Niemi, Joni Kettunen, Risto Ilmoniemi and Kimmo Sahramaa.



www.fi rstbeat.fi www.jaspicom.fi www.rosettesystems.com

www.nexstim.com www.soputuote.fi www.startskiwax.com

Seat For Cars• Nexstim Oy, Helsinki, Navigated Brain Stimulation• Rosette Systems Oy, Vihti, Production of Building Modules and Trusses of Light Gauge Steel by CAD-Controlled Automated Process• Startex Oy, Hollola, Start Grip Tape for Cross-Country Skiing Honourable Mention:• Sopu-tuote ky, Rovaniemi, Folding Food Dryer

In the INNOINT Invention Contest for Conscripts 2004, we decided to present fi ve equal prizes and two Honourable Mentions:• Lance Corporal in Reserve Roope Hakkola, Sight adjustment key attached to a spoon-fork • Artilleryman in Reserve Seppo Koponen, Sight cleaner for an assault rifl e• Light Infantryman of the Guards in Reserve Tatu Petersen-Jessen, Font SA-Int m/03• Corporal in Reserve Mikko Ruotsalainen, Telephone tester, m/04 • Second Lieutenant in Reserve Juha Töyräs, Application for analysing of and training in

losses caused by a nuclear strikeHonourable Mention: • Samuli Vauramo and Jesse Viljanen, proposal for a means to improve the care of hygiene

Vocational schools in the Tampere region took part in the INNOSCHOOL Innovation Event 2004. In addition, all fi rst and second forms in comprehensive schools in Finland were invited to participate.

Prizes in the vocational school category went to: • Sanna Lehtonen, Sini-Joanna Romo, Jemina Suikkonen, Tampere Commercial College, Luminous tag / carrier bag combination• Sanna Laaksonen, Tampere Institute of Health Care, Accident button • Marja Luoma, Susanna Myyryläinen, Hervanta Institute, Eyeglasses with + and – focus

• Jaakko Lindholm, Kuru Institute of Forestry, Wind power engine application In the comprehensive school category, fi rst and second forms at Kihniä School were awarded for their classroom escape slide and their method to prevent school bullying. Regional juries set up by the T&E Centres handed out 43 Regional INNOFINLAND Prizes and 15 Honourable Mentions.

Further details on Regional and other INNOFINLAND Prize-winners

are available at www.innosuomi.fi



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4 ghi 5 jkl 6 mno7 pqrs 8 tuv 9 wxyzThe National Board of Patents and

Registration of Finland is an active player in international co-operation and keenly follows the progress made in this fi eld. Finland has joined a number of international industrial property treaties and organisations which concern the NBPR. In Trade Register issues, too, co-operation has recently shown substantial growth, on the European level in particular.

World Intellectual Property Organization

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a United Nations specialised agency, which consists of 21 separate Unions. It has 182 member states, and 260 different organisations with observer status.

WIPO was established to promote the protection of intellectual property worldwide. It also administers the multinational treaties on different elements of intellectual property. Delegates from the National Board of Patents and Registration attended several meetings organised by WIPO on various sectors of industrial property last year.

The General Assemblies of different Unions of WIPO were held in Geneva in September. Mr Martti Enäjärvi, President of the National Board of Patents and Registration, headed the Finnish delegation. The General Assembly adopted the newest proposals made by the Working Group on the Reform of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), namely for amendments to be made to the Regulations under the PCT. The

Working Group’s work has already resulted in signifi cant amendments to the PCT system. One of these was the abolishment of the designation system as from the beginning of last year. Now all countries that at the moment of fi ling an application are parties to the treaty are designated automatically.

Another signifi cant reform was the inclusion of a written statement in the International Search Report. This way the applicant obtains a verbal assessment of the patentability of the invention as well as the references cited. Debate on the reform of the PCT system continues. The General Assembly decided to transfer the proposal for raising the PCT fees, so that they would be considered by WIPO’s Programme and Finances Committee fi rst. Then, if necessary, the proposal will be taken up again at an Extraordinary General Assembly of the PCT Union. The importance of PCT matters isincreasing in the Offi ce’s operations, as the NBPR will become a PCT Authority as of 2005. The General Assembly also discussed the proposal by USA and Japan for the establishment of a new agenda for the Standing Committee on the Law Of Patents (SCP) concerning the harmonisation of what are called substantive matters of patent legislation, that is: the preparation of the SPLT draft agreement. According to the proposal, the preparatory work would initially be focused on four topics, dealing primarily with prior art issues. The treatment of other topics would depend on the outcome of this entity called the fi rst package. The General Assembly did not reach unanimity on the proposal, and the so called trilateral offi ces,

EPO, Japan and USPTO, among others, are now pondering on how to progress in respect of the SCP agenda.

The General Assembly also dealt with the proposal for convening a diplomatic conference on the revision of the Trademark Law Treaty. The proposal was approved and the conference is planned to take place in March 2006.

On 1 October 2004 the European Community joined the Madrid Protocol concerning the international registration of marks, which is administered by WIPO. This link between the Community trademark and the Madrid Protocol now offers trademark holders a maximum amount of fl exibility when they want to protect their mark internationally. This was the fi rst time that the European Community acceded to a treaty administered by WIPO. It was also the fi rst time that an intergovernmental organisation as a whole joined a treaty administered by WIPO.

The representatives of the NBPR have also played an active role as lecturers in seminars and training events organised by WIPO. In the year under review, President Enäjärvi gave a lecture at the “WIPO Forum on Intellectual Property and SMEs for IP Offi cials and relevant institutions of OECD and EU enlargement countries”, which was hosted by the EU Trademarks and Designs Offi ce (OHIM).

International Co-operation

FROM: WIPOHuman genius is the source of all works of art and invention. These works are the guarantee of a life worthy of men. It is the duty of the State to ensure with diligence the protection of the arts and inventions.



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European Patent Organisation

During the past few years the European Patent Organisation (EPO) has expanded greatly. After the accession of Poland, Iceland and Lithuania, the number of member states has risen to 30. Finland has been a member of the EPO since 1996.

The function of the European Patent Offi ce is to grant European patents in a centralised way. After a patent has been granted it must also be validated in those EPC member states which the applicant opts for. Finland has actively participated in the operations of the European Patent Offi ce: the meetings of the Administrative Council, for example, which is in charge of the operations of the Offi ce, were attended not only by the President, but also by Vice President Pekka Launis, Director Eero Mantere and Deputy Director Maarit Löytömäki. Experts from our Offi ce have also participated in various working groups appointed by the Administrative Council.

In the spring of 2004, the EPO Administrative Council began a discussion regarding the strategy for future co-operation between the EPO and the member states, concerning particularly the work relating to international patent applications (PCT). The EPO has organised information sessions for interest groups and its webpage opened an arena for a public debate. The Administrative Council’s November meeting in The Hague was concentrated wholly on the discussion on the strategy, which will be continued at the 2005 meetings.

EU Community Patent

The Commission’s Proposal for a Regulation on the Community Patent proceeded favourably in 2004 until the Competitiveness Council meeting in May, at which point disagreement in translation issues proved to be too great an obstacle. The project made no progress in the course of the autumn. It is not clear yet, whether new efforts will nevertheless be made during the Luxembourg presidency.

The Council redrafted the proposed directive on computer-implemented inventions in the spring, and approval for its being resubmitted to the new Parliament looked promising. However, the new member states wanted to take time to study the matter, and further processing of the proposal was postponed till the following year.

EU Community Trade Mark and Community Design

OHIM, the EU Offi ce for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trademarks and Designs), which is located in Alicante, Spain,

celebrated its 10th anniversary in September 2004. OHIM has registered Community trade marks since 1996, whereas the registration of the Community designs did not begin until April 1, 2003. Through the fi ling of one single application it is possible to get trademark or design protection in the entire EU area. The Community trade mark and the Community design are non-divisional, which means that the protection both begins and will, in time, cease simultaneously in the whole Community area.

The National Board of Patents and Registration actively took part in the operations of the OHIM also last year. President Martti Enäjärvi and Vice President Eija Nuorlahti-Solarmo contributed to the work of the Administrative Council and of the Budget Committee. In addition, representatives of our Offi ce attended the meetings between experts from OHIM and national Offi ces.

President Enäjärvi was elected Chairman of the OHIM’s Administrative Board in December. In this capacity he also acts as Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

European Business Register Service

European Business Register authorities have joined forces and established a European Business Register (EBR) service, in which Finland is included. This makes it easier to get information from outside Finland.

The EBR service provides online information from the Business Registers on companies throughout Europe, overcoming such problems as linguistic, technical and legislative barriers. Last year the EBR meetings dealt with the maintenance and functioning of different registers, and with the outlook for their future development. Attention was also paid to the effects of legislation and EU directives.

The European Commerce Registers’ Forum was held in Paris in the autumn, with participants from a total of 28 European countries.

Co-operation among the Nordic and Baltic countries The heads of the Nordic Patent Offi ces convened twice in the year under review. The permanent Nordic Working Groups on Patents, Trademarks and Designs likewise had two meetings last year. A joint meeting of the heads of the Nordic and Baltic Patent Offi ces was organised again last year; this tradition is originally based on Finland’s initiative. This time the meeting was hosted by Iceland. The joint meetings have been regarded as important forums

FROM: NBPR

The NBPR is the Finnish link to the WHOLE WIDE WORLD OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY!

in the expanding European co-operation. Estonia and Lithuania have already become parties of the European Patent Convention. Latvia is also planning accession.

Co-operation between Finland and Russia is also becoming stronger. The fi rst cornerstone was the neighbouring areas co-operation agreement in the fi eld of intellectual property, signed in 1994 by the former Deputy Mayor of St. Petersburg and present President of Russia, Mr Vladimir Putin, and President Martti Enäjärvi. This co-operation had been agreed on in negotiations between the governments of our countries. In the year under review, representatives of our Offi ce attended the IPR Forum in Smolna in St. Petersburg and the Venture Fair in St. Petersburg.



Income and expenditure sheet

1 Jan - 31 Dec 2004 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2003INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

Income from fee-charging operations 34 865 696.07 32 346 720.36Rents and compensations 12 769.99 13 404.54Other income from operations 302 852.51 35 181 318.57 414 191.98 32 774 316.88

EXPENSES FROM OPERATIONSRaw materials and consumablesPurchases during the accounting period 871 186.11 635 224.40Staff expenses 19 383 672.79 18 617 392.53Rents 3 965 310.29 3 932 406.69Services purchased 7 940 344.15 7 725 336.36Other expenses 538 514.22 479 994.10Production for own use -136 906.44 -58 994.84Depreciations 2 845 666.99 -35 407 788.11 3 356 340.40 -34 687 699.64

SURPLUS/DEFICIT I -226 469.54 -1 913 382.76

FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSES

Financial income 115.04 109.35Financial expenses -41.85 73.19 -181.35 -72.00

EXTRAORDINARY INCOME AND CHARGES

Extraordinary income 8.00 0.00Extraordinary charges -9 430.13 -9 422.13 -7 822.18 -7 822.18

SURPLUS/DEFICIT II -235 818.48 -1 921 276.94

INCOME FROM TAXES AND OBLIGATORY FEES

Value added taxes levied 308 901.46 311 242.68Value added taxes paid -2 350 557.78 -2 041 656.32 -2 285 075.21 -1 973 832.53

DEFICIT FROM THE ACCOUNTING PERIOD -2 277 474.80 -3 895 109.47



ASSETS 31 Dec 2004 31 Dec 2003

FIXED ASSETS AND OTHER LONG-TERM INVESTMENTSINTANGIBLE ASSET Research and development expenses 2 195 832.60 4 059 731.23 Intangible rights 272 749.82 334 039.52 Other capitalised long-term expenses 198 145.75 140 514.27 Advance payments and acquisitions in progress 902 371.09 3 569 099.26 353 557.94 4 887 842.96TANGIBLE ASSETS Machinery and equipment 1 371 708.75 1 529 423.19 Furniture and fi xtures 216 386.94 361 106.65 Other tangible assets 137 438.11 1 725 533.80 137 438.11 2 027 967.95SECURITIES INCLUDED IN FIXED ASSETS AND OTHER LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS Securities included in fi xed assets 84.09 84.09FIXED ASSETS AND OTHER LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS, TOTAL 5 294 717.15 6 915 895.00

STOCKS AND FINANCIAL ASSETSDEBTORS: CURRENT Trade debtors 527 641.25 545 454.97 Prepaid expenses and accrued income 60 695.51 320 797.94 Other current debtors 114 138.10 702 474.86 276 934.69 1 143 187.60CASH IN HAND AND AT BANKS AND OTHER LIQUID ASSETS Cash accounts 6 218.75 4 877.85 Accounting offi ce income accounts 0 6 218.75 1.00 4 878.85STOCKS AND FINANCIALASSETS, TOTAL 708 693.61 1 148 066.45

ASSETS, TOTAL 6 003 410.76 8 063 961.45

LIABILITIES 31 Dec 2004 31 Dec 2003

CAPITAL AND RESERVESSTATE CAPITAL State capital on 1 January 1998 3 376 200.48 3 376 200.48 Change in capital from previous accounting periods -1 716 015.53 258 799.47 Transfers of capital -622 152.27 1 920 294.47 Defi cit of the accounting period -2 277 474.80 -1 239 442.12 -3 895 109.47 1 660 184.95

CREDITORSCURRENT External funds administered by the State 900.00 Advances received 306 196.21 267 431.48 Trade creditors 1 609 847.02 1 611 312.40 Payments to accounts between accounting offi ces 410 105.85 398 388.31 Items to be accounted for and forwarded 2 042 800.46 1 363 302.24 Accruals and deferred income 2 872 521.84 2 761 384.70 Other current creditors 481.50 7 242 852.88 1 957.37 6 403 776.50

CREDITORS, TOTAL 7 242 852.88 6 403 776.50 LIABILITIES, TOTAL 6 003 410.76 8 063 961.45

Balance sheet



Income and Expenditure Sheet 1 January to 31 December 2004

The income in the income and expenditure sheet totalled €35.2m. It consisted of €34.9m revenue from ordinary activities, and €0.3m from minor rents and compensations and other income from operations. The income rose by €2.4m, i.e. by 7.3%, from the previous year.

The total operating expenditure rose by 2% and amounted to €35.4m during the operating year. Staff expenses of €19.4m were the biggest single expenditure item: they made up 54.8% of the total expenditure. In IT development projects for the offi ce’s own use, an item amounting to €0.1m of staff expenses was capitalised. It is shown as a separate item in the income and expenditure sheet. External services were bought for €7.9m and rents paid for amounted to €4.0m.

Capitalised investments in fi xed assets were depreciated by €2.8m. The total expenditure grew by €0.7m from the previous year. The biggest growth was in staff expenses at €0.8m and in external services at €0.2m. Raw material and consumable expenses rose by €0.1m. There was only a slight change in rent expenses. Rents paid rose by only €33,000. Other expenses were more or less the same and depreciations decreased by €0.5m from the previous year.

Surplus/Defi cit I was negative, at –€ 0.2m.

Income and expenses from taxes and obligatory fees comprised Value Added Tax levied and paid. It totalled –€2.0m net.

The defi cit from the accounting period was €2.3m.

NBPR’s assets in 2004

Intangible assets €3.6m

Tangible assets €1.7

Financial assets €0.7m

Breakdown of expenditure in 2004

Raw materials and consumables €0.9m

Staff expenses €19.4m

Rents €4.0m

Services purchased €7.9m

Depreciations €2.8m

Other expenses €0.5m

Income per Unit

Patents and Innovations Line €13.4m

Enterprises and Corporations Line €16.8m

Trademarks and Designs Line €4.3m

Register of Associations €0.5m

Administration and others €0.1m

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2004

The balance sheet total was €6.0m on 31 December 2004.

The balance sheet mainly consists of capitalised development items for the Offi ce’s registers and for IT equipment related to those registers.

On the assets side of the balance sheet, the residual value of the fi xed assets and other long-term investments in the Annual Accounts totalled €5.3m. The main part of the fi xed assets consisted of intangible assets of €3.6m, in which both external specialist services used for upgrading the Offi ce’s IT systems and its own staff’s contribution to this work was capitalised, jointly amounting to €2.2m. Other intangible fi xed assets included unfi nished development projects, totalling €0.9m, €0.2m of other expenses with long-term effects (repairs etc.), and €0.3m of intangible rights (IT programs).

Tangible assets comprised €1.4m inmachinery and equipment, €0.2m in fur-niture and fi xtures, and €0.1m in other tangible assets.

Investments made in fi xed assets last year amounted to €1.1m.

Stocks and fi nancial assets include current debtors and other liquid assets, totalling €0.7m. The liabilities side of the balance sheet includes the State capital in the National Board of Patents and Registration, amounting to –€1.2m, and current creditors, a total of €7.2m.

Annual Accounts Notes



%

-88 -89 -90 -91 -92 -93 -94 -95 -96 -97 -98 -99 -00 -01 -02 -03 -04index (1988=100)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

In 2004, the total number of applications and notifi cations fi led within NBPR’s fi eld of activity rose by 18.9% to 365,876. The growth is mainly a result of an increased number of submitted annual accounts and search requests concerning Community Trademark applications.

Productivity

In 2004, the productivity of work in the units increased by an average of 5.7%, well in excess of the target of 0.3% set in the state budget for 2003. The trend for productivity in the long term is clearly above target. Since 1988, NBPR’s productivity has risen by 104%. Results management, performance measurement, improvement of processes, continuous development of IT systems, as well as staff development have been the main reasons for this remarkable increase.

Development of Productivity and Targets Set

Actual outcome

Target

Performance Report 2004

Processing Times

In the Trade Register, the average processing time of notifi cations decreased to 0.3 months and in the Trademarks Unit the processing time of national applications was reduced to 8.7 months. Processing times in the Register of Associations increased to 4.8 months because of new tasks that were transferred from other authorities. In other units, the processing times remained more or less unchanged.

Economy

Cost per unit fell by 0.8%. The economy target for 2004 was achieved since the limit for cost per unit was set to allow an increase of no more than 1.9%. In fact the real cost per unit decreased by 3.9%.

Development of Processing Times Since 1988

Domestic patent applications

Notifi cations to the Register of Associations

Trademark applications

Notifi cations to the Trade Register


National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland

Innohouse: Arkadiankatu 6 A, 00100 Helsinki

Mailing Address:AdministrationP.O. BOX 1140

FI-00101 Helsinki

Enterprises and CorporationsP.O. BOX 1150

FI-00101 Helsinki

Patents and InnovationsP.O. BOX 1160

FI-00101 Helsinki

Trademarks and DesignsP.O. BOX 1170

FI-00101 Helsinki

MarketingP.O. BOX 1180

FI-00101 Helsinki

Board of AppealP.O. BOX 1140

FI-00101 Helsinki

Telephone:+358 (0)9 6939 500

Fax:+358 (0)9 6939 5328

E-mail:[email protected]

fi [email protected] www.prh.fi


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