Sopimusajaksi

Sopimusajaksi is a Finnish legal term meaning “for the duration of a contract.” The word is composed of sopimus (contract) and ajaksi (for the time of). It is employed in contract drafting to specify that particular obligations, rights, or restrictions apply only while the contract is in force and cease once the contract terminates.

In Finnish contract law, sopimusajaksi clauses are common in employment contracts, service agreements, and lease agreements. For example, a confidentiality agreement may state that the employee must keep information secret sopimusajaksi, meaning the obligation ends when the employment contract ends. However, parties often add a post‑termination clause if continued confidentiality is desired.

The phrase also appears in patent licensing agreements when the licensor grants rights only for the term of the license. Courts interpret sopimusajaksi clauses in light of the overall contractual context, giving effect to them unless they conflict with explicit termination provisions or public policy.

In practice, sopimusajaksi is usually written in clause headings or in the body of a legal document. It helps avoid ambiguity by clearly linking the scope of an obligation to the contract’s life cycle, which can affect liability, benefits, and the calculation of damages if the contract is terminated early.

Because the term is specific to Finnish law, foreign parties drafting agreements with Finnish entities often translate sopimusajaksi as “for the duration of the contract” or “during the term of the contract” to maintain equivalent legal effect.