Finland no longer on the USTR intellectual property rights watchlist

Finland has been removed from the most recent Special 301 Report Watchlist of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Finland was on the Watchlist from 2009-2014 due to what the United States considered to be insufficient pharmaceutical patent protection as well as issues with the pharmaceutical reimbursement system and the pricing and substitutability of pharmaceuticals.

Earlier Finnish patent legislation was deemed problematic from an IPR standpoint. Based on patent applications submitted prior to 1 January 1995, it was possible to grant pharmaceuticals a method patent, but not a product patent. The new report states that the term for such patents is set to expire shortly and Finland is removed from the WL in 2015.

The Special 301 Report is an annual review of the state of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in third countries conducted by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in accordance with the Trade Act of 1974.

In preparing the review, the United States hears various interested parties, including the country's business sector. Countries are classified into different categories depending on the degree of problems identified. The grounds for review vary from country to country.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative Special 301 Report for 2015 can be read on the USTR website at:

https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/2015-Special-301-Report-FINAL.pdf

Further information: Commercial Counsellor Maarit Nikkola, Trade Policy Unit, tel. +358 (0)295 351 857 and Desk Officer Erkki Seppänen, Trade Policy Unit, tel. +358 (0)295 351 565)