WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/DNK/1
7March 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-0925)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from Denmark
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
InDenmark, therearenospecial courts which haveexclusive jurisdiction overIPRinfringement
cases. Asarule,theenforcement ofIPRstakesplace before theordinary courts andfollows thegeneral
procedural rules setoutintheAdministration ofJustice Act.
Asfortheenforcement oftrademarks, proceedings arebrought before theDanish Maritime
andCommercial Court, cf.Section 43(4) oftheDanish Trademark Act. TheDanish Maritime and
Commercial Court dealswithcivilcaseswhere special knowledge inrespect ofmaritime orcommercial
relations isofimportance. Normally two,andinspecial situations four,layjudges participate together
withalegaljudge when thecaseisbrought before theDanish Maritime andCommercial Court, whereas
cases before theordinary courts aredealtwithbylegaljudges only.
2. Which persons have standing toassert IPRs?
Allpersons withalegalinterest inascertaining IPRshavestanding todoso,i.e.thepersons
whomayenforce theIPRsaretheproprietors, licence holders orother rightholders deriving theirrights
from theproprietor ofsuchIPRs.
Where theinjured party ismember ofanorganization administrating theIPR,theorganization
isoften permitted toinitiate acivilsuitonbehalf ofitsmembers. Thequestion ofthelocus standi
(legal interest) oftheorganization isdetermined based onaconcrete evaluation oftherelationship
between theorganization anditsmembers. Where itappears thattheorganization normally actson
behalf ofitsmembers, theorganization isdeemed tohavelocus standi .Anorganization maynever
actonbehalf ofarightholder, where arightholder doesnotconsent tosuchrepresentation.
How maytheyberepresented?
Aninjured party mayberepresented byanauthorized legalcounsel (inDenmark an"advokat")
orhemayplead thecasehimself.
1Document IP/C/5IP/N/6/DNK/1
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Arethere requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bythe
rightholder?
Therearenorequirementsformandatorypersonalappearancesbeforethecourtbytherightholder
buttherightholder must thenberepresented byalawyer.
Often therightholder maybeanindispensable witness, andwhen assessing thecasethecourt
maytakeintoaccount thattherightholder hasfailed toappear incourt. Attherequest oftheopposing
party,thecourtmaysummontherightholderforapersonalmeetinginorderforhimtoanswerquestions,
cf.theAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 302.However, aparty cannot beforced togiveevidence
inthesamewayaswitnesses, andthecourt istherefore leftwiththeoption ofconstruing suchaparty's
silence infavour oftheother party.
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
Aparty canrequest theother party toproduce specific evidence within theparty'scontrol.
Iftheother party doesnotcomply, theopposing party mayaskthecourt toimpose anobligation on
theparty tosupply therequired evidence, cf.theAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 298. Asa
rule,theobligation isimposed where theevidence isofrelevance totheproceedings. Iftheparty
doesnotprovide theevidence, thecourt maytakeintoaccount -when assessing thecase-thatthe
party hasfailed tocomply withtheobligation. Theimposed obligation cannot belegally enforced
assuch.
Attention should alsobedrawn tothefactthattheobligation toprovide evidence asarule
onlyapplies to"documents" which however maycomprise other documents thanwritten ones. Inthe
event thatevidence needs tobebrought forward fortheuseofexperts appointed bythecourt anykind
ofevidence subject toinspection bysuchexperts maybecomprised bytheobligation, cf.§301.
Inasituation where information willbedisclosed which iscovered bythegrounds forexemption
fromproviding evidence, cf.Section 298cf.Sections 169-172 oftheAdministration ofJustice Act,
theobligation cannot beimposed. Theprovisions relating toexemption fromproviding evidence may
bedivided intotwocategories: (i)provisions prohibiting awitness fromgiving evidence (e.g.incases
where suchevidence could damage thesecurity oftherealm orrelations toaforeign state); and
(ii)provisions allowing awitness torefuse togiveevidence butnotprohibiting thewitness fromgiving
evidence (e.g.incases where thewitness itselforhisintimates runtheriskofapenalty orotheressential
damage).
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Where disclosure isdeemed tocause asubstantial losstotheparty, thesaidparty maybe
released fromthedutyofproviding theevidence, cf.theAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 171.
Substantial lossisalosssuffered bytheparty, which isnotproprietary tothesignificance ofproviding
theevidence. Theriskoftheparty losing thecasebyproviding theevidence shallnotinitself be
considered asubstantial lossjustifying exemption.
Inorder toprotect confidential information brought forward asevidence, thecourt maydecide
tohavetheevidence presented behind closed doors pursuant toSection 29(3) oftheAdministration
ofJustice Act. Pursuant toSection 31(2) oftheAdministration ofJustice Act,anyrendering oreven
mentioning ofthehearings behind closed doors areprohibited forthepersons whohavebeenespecially
authorized tobepresent during ahearing behind closed doors.IP/N/6/DNK/1
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5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
(a) injunctions
Unauthorized production, distribution, broadcasting andreproduction, etc.maybeprevented
byuseofprovisional injunctions obtained before thebailiff 'scourtinaccordance withtheAdministration
ofJustice Act,Chapter 57.Apreliminary injunction maybeissued iftheclaimant establishes that:
- theactions tobeprohibited infringe upon theclaimant 'srights;
- theinfringer willcarry onwiththeactions tobeprohibited; and
- theposition oftherightholder isjeopardized iftheclaimant isreferred toclaim his
rightbymeans ofordinary legalproceedings.
Thecourt will-depending onthecircumstances -often require thattheclaimant provides
security, cf.theAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 644. Theamount ofsecurity isdetermined
bythecourt anddepends onthepossible harm resulting from theinjunction should itprove unjust.
Security ismost often provided intheform ofabankguarantee.
Theinjunction isaprovisional remedy andhastobeconfirmed byaconfirmatory action before
theordinary courts, cf.theAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 634,cf.Section 648. Thecasehas
tobebrought before thecourt within 14daysfrom theissuing oftheinjunction.
Ifacaseregarding theclaim inquestion isalready pending before theordinary courts, the
time-limit forbringing thecasebefore thecourt isonlyeight daysfromtheissuing oftheinjunction,
cf.theAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 634(1) and(2).
(b) damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees
Therightholder mayclaim bothremuneration fortheexploitation aswellasdamages.
(i) Remuneration
TheDanish IPRActscontain provisions stating thattheinfringer isobliged topay
fairremuneration fortheexploitation oftheright, cf.theCopyright Act,Section 83(1),
thePatentAct,Section58(1),theRegisteredDesignsAct,Section36(1),theTrademark
Act,Section 43(1) andtheTopographies Act,Section 14.Remuneration forthe
exploitation oftherights infringed upon maybeawarded irrespective ofwhether the
general conditions forclaiming damages aremet.
Theguideline forestablishing theamount oftheremuneration isthattheinfringer shall
atleastpayareasonable licence fee.
(ii) Damages, etc.
Damages maybeclaimed inaccordance withallDanish ActsonIPRs, cf.theCopyright
Act, Section 83(1), thePatent Act, Section 58(1), theRegistered Designs Act,
Section36(1),theTrademarkAct,Section43(1)andtheTopographiesAct,Section14.
Theamount ofdamages isalways estimated bythecourts, theprinciple being thatthe
plaintiff mayclaim 100percentindemnification forhisloss.IP/N/6/DNK/1
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Under Danish law,itisrecognized thataplaintiff mayclaim damages forhislossof
sale,thelossconnected duetodisruptions onthemarket aswellascertain losses
regarding"internal"expenses,includingexpensesincurredpriortoinitiatinglegalaction
inorder toestablish theexistence ofaninfringement, e.g.investigations, acquisitions,
etc.
Normally, lossofsaleisthelargest oftheamounts mentioned. Damages maybe
claimed where therightholder hasaready-made production which cannot besoldas
planned andwhere thisisduetoanyactions oftheinfringer. Lossofsalemayalso
becovered where production hasnotbeencompleted, andinthissituation calculation
ofthelossincludes recovery ofprofits asastarting point.
Specifically asregards copyright infringements itfollows from theCopyright Act,
Section 83(3), thatacopyright holder mayobtain compensation fornon-financial
damages. Thisright maybeexercised where aninfringement ofdroit moral has
occurred.
TheAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 312(1), provides thatthelosing party pays
tothewinning party thecostscaused bytheproceedings unless theparties haveagreed
otherwise orunless thecourt -duetospecial circumstances -decides otherwise.
However, there isnopossibility forobtaining damages forexpenses heldthatwere
notnecessary fortheproceedings, cf.Section 312(2).
(c) destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements for
their production
Asanaccessory totheinjunction (andincaseoftheinfringer 'sviolation oftheinjunction),
thebailiff 'scourt mayseizetheinfringing goods andtoolsusedforthemanufacture oftheinfringing
products, cf.theAdministration ofJustice Act,Section 645. Inaconfirmatory action, thecourt may,
ifrequested bytheplaintiff, require thedestruction oralteration ofthegoods andtools, cf.theCopyright
Act,Section 84,thePatent Act,Section 59,theRegistered Designs Act,Section 37,theTrademark
Act,Section44andtheTopographiesAct,Section15(1).Therightholdermayalsoacquiretheinfringing
goods ataprice laiddown bythecourt.
(d) anyother remedies
Iftheinfringer deliberately violates aninjunction, penalty intheformoffinesorimprisonment
maybeimposed. Theinfringer mayalsobefound liable topaydamages, cf.theAdministration of
Justice Act,Section 651.
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany, dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform theright holder oftheidentity ofthird persons involved inthe
production anddistribution ofthegoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheir
channels ofdistribution?
Attherequest oftheopposing party, thecourt mayonaconcrete basis impose anobligation
ontheinfringer tosupply information onanythird parties involved, where thesubmission ofsuch
information doesnotleadtoanysubstantial lossfortheinfringer, cf.theAdministration ofJustice
Act,Sections 298ff.,cf.Section 171,andthecomments provided toquestion 4above. Ifthedecision
ofthecourt isnotfollowed, thecourt maygivethenon-compliance damaging effect against suchparty
when deciding onthemerits.IP/N/6/DNK/1
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7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Iftheplaintiff loses thecase, hewillbedeemed topaythecosts ofthedefendant.
Incases where thebailiff 'scourt hasissued aninjunction which isnotupheld bythecourt
intheconfirmatory action thedefendant mayinaddition tocosts claim damages forlossinflicted by
theinjunction.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat
"remedial measures" areapplicable tothem?
Asarule,adefendant onwhom anorder hasbeenwrongfully enjoined owing toawrongful
orinappropriate decision cannot holdthejudge liable forhaving reached adecision which isnotupheld
bythehigher courts.
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Aconfirmatory action hastobebrought before thecourt within twoweeks fromtheissuance
oftheinjunction (incertain cases within eight days).
There arenostatistics available concerning theduration andcosts insuchproceedings.
(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
Asarule,enforcementofIPRinfringementcasesmayonlybeprovidedbythecourts.However,
withregard torequirements related toborder measures theDanish Customs Authorities maysuspend
therelease forfreecirculation, export, re-export orplacing under asuspensive procedure ofpirated
orcounterfeit goods.
Administrative procedures areavailable withrespect torevocation ofpatents andtrademarks.
Provisional Measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
Please seetheanswers toquestion 5above.
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
Section 646,cf.Sections 495and493(2), oftheAdministration ofJustice Actprovides that
provisional measures maybeordered eventhough theinfringer isnotpresent, andeventhough previous
notice hasnotbeengiven totheinfringer. Instead, thecourt may, however, decide topostpone the
proceedings ifitislikely thatthedefendant hasavalid reason forbeing absent.IP/N/6/DNK/1
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Ifadelay mayjeopardize theenforcement, thecourt mayorder aprovisional measure without
hearing theevidence ofthedefendant first. Thiswillbethecaseife.g.adelay islikely tocause
irreparable damage totherightholder orifthere isademonstrable riskofevidence being destroyed.
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect the
legitimate interests ofthedefendant.
Aninterim injunction isinitiated onthebasisofawritten petition tothecourt, cf.Section 646
oftheAdministration ofJustice Act.Thepetition shallclearly identify theactswhich aretobesubject
totheinjunction. Theproceedings takeplace atahearing before thebailiff 'scourt which issues the
injunction.
Previous notice isnormally given tothedefendant, and,accordingly, thedefendant willbe
abletotakepartinthehearing andprovide evidence forhisdefence.
Whenaninteriminjunctionisgranted,theclaimantisunderanobligationtoinstigateproceedings
against theinfringer toconfirm theinjunction within 8/14daysfrom theissuing oftheinjunction.
Upon request fromtheplaintiff, thecourtshalllendtherightholder assistance inorder touphold
theinjunction. Forthispurpose, thecourt mayseize goods andtools, cf.Section 645ofthe
Administration ofJustice Act.
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Please seetheanswer toquestion 8provided above.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures .
Provisional remedies mayonlybeissued bythecourts.
Special Requirements Related toBorder Measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable
alsoinrespect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other
thancounterfeit trademark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement
(footnote toArticle 51).
Theapplicable legislation inconnection withseizure anddetention ofpirated goods ismainly
ECRegulations No.3295/94 andNo.1367/95 aswellasDanish ActNo.1091of20December 1995
andtheDanish Ministerial Order No.1134 of21December 1995. ECRegulation No.3295/94 is
directly applicable under Danish law,andtheDanish Actmentioned above mainly provides legalbasis
forimposing penalties oninfringers oftheprohibition setoutinArticle 2oftheRegulation. TheDanish
Ministerial Order alsosupplements ECRegulation No.3295/94 withrespect totheprovisions regarding
theapplicant 'sprovision ofsecurity.
According totheECRegulations, pirated goods, i.e.counterfeit trademark goods andpirated
copyright goods, maybesubject tosuspension bythecustoms authorities withrespect torelease intoIP/N/6/DNK/1
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freecirculation, export, re-export orentry under asuspensive procedure applicable tocounterfeit and
pirated goods. Alsotheimport ofpirated goods which infringe arighttoaspecific design orpattern
maybeprevented, cf.ECRegulation No.3295/94, Article 1.Apart fromthisaddition, theprovisions
setoutintheECRegulation verymuch correspond tothose oftheTRIPS Agreement. Accordingly,
other infringements arenotcovered bytheECRegulation orbysupplementary Danish rules.
Suspension oftherelease ordetention ofgoods maybesubject totheabove procedure where
thegoods originate fromcountries outside theEUandare"placed onthemarket", including butnot
limited to:
- inthecustoms warehouse;
- inexternal transit;
- forinward processing under thesuspensive procedure;
- forprocessing inbond;
- fortemporary admission;
- forexport; and
- forre-export.
Specify, together withrelevant criteria, anyimports excluded from theapplication ofsuch
procedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms union, goods intransit or
deminimis imports).
Import ofgoods fromother EUMember States cannot besubjected totheprocedure. Also,
pursuant toArticle 10ofECRegulation No.3295/94, theprocedure isnotapplicable tonon-commercial
goods imported bytravellers intheirpersonal luggage within thefixedlimits foradmittance oftax-free
goods.
Cf.above under question 15goods inexternal transit arealsoconsidered tobeplaced onthe
market andaccordingly subjected totheprocedure. Nodeminimis rules apply.
Dotheprocedures apply toimports ofgoods putonthemarket inanother country by
orwiththeconsent oftheright holder andtogoods destined forexportation?
Genuine goods, i.e.goods placed onthemarket withtheconsent oftherightholder, mustbe
released intofreecirculation onthemarket, cf.ECRegulation No.3295/94, Article 1(4).
Pirated goods destined forexport areincluded intheprovisions oftheECRegulation, Article 2,
and,accordingly, suchgoods maybesubject tosuspension bythecustoms authorities.
16. (a) Provide adescription ofthemain elements oftheprocedures relating tothe
suspension oftherelease ofgoods bycustoms authorities, inparticular the
competent authorities (Article 51),therequirements foranapplication (Article 52)
andvarious requirements related totheduration ofsuspension (Article 55).
Therightholder hastofileanapplication fortheinterception ofpirated material totherelevant
localcustomandtaxofficeresponsibleforreceivinganddealingwithrequestsforactionsbyrightholders.
Theapplication shallcontain:
- Adetailed description ofthegoods toenable thecustoms authorities torecognize the
goods. Thismaybedonebysubmitting photos, samples orwritten descriptions.IP/N/6/DNK/1
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- Documentation substantiating thattheapplicant istherightholder orthatheholds a
partial rightofuseetc.derived from thelatter. Where therights areregistered, this
maybedonebysubmitting theregistration documents fromtheDanish Patent Office.
Please notethattheright toatrademark maybeobtained without registration, and
thatcopyright isnotsubject toregistration inDenmark. Inthese situations, the
rightholder mustsubmit otherforms ofdocumentation inorder tosubstantiate hisright,
and,where theapplicant isarepresentative, anauthorization from therightholder.
Therightholder shall alsogiveother forms ofrelevant information enabling thecustoms
authorities todecide onthematter. Totheextent possible, suchinformation shallinclude:
- thelocation ordestination ofthegoods;
- identification oftheshipment orthecollies;
- expected arrival ordateofdispatch ofthegoods;
- form oftransportation used;
- thename oftheimporter, exporter orother holders ofthegoods; and
- theanticipated place anddateofarrival ofthegoods.
After receiving theapplication, thecustoms authorities notify theapplicant ofthedecision made
bythecustoms authorities assoonaspossible.
Ifthecustoms authorities decide toassist inthematter, therightholder isnotified oftheperiod
ofintervention fixed bythecustoms authorities. Thisperiod maybeextended. Normally, theperiod
ofintervention isthree months and,inpractice, thecustoms authorities extend theperiod upon
application.
After thenotification ofthesuspension oftherelease tobring thecasebefore thecourt, the
rightholder hastenworking days. Ifthelocalcustoms andtaxadministration isnotnotified ofany
court proceedings within tenworking days, thegoods willbereleased. Under certain circumstances,
thisperiod oftime may beextended byamaximum ofanother tenworking days, cf.
ECRegulation 3295/94, Article 7(1)andDanish Statutory Order 1134/1995, Section 6.
Suspension oftherelease ordetention ofgoods willbeupheld untilafinaldecision isreached
bythecompetent court.
(b) How have Articles 53(security orequivalent assurance), 56(indemnification of
theimporter andoftheowner ofthegoods) and57(right ofinspection and
information) been implemented?
Thecustoms authorities areentitled torequire thattherightholder provides security, cf.EC
Regulation No.3295/94, Article 3(6). Theamount ofthesecurity depends ontheactual possible harm
resulting from thesuspension.
According toArticle 3(6)oftheECRegulation, security provided bytherightholder willbe
usedtocover anydamages andexpenses incurred bytheinfringer iftherightholder isheldliable where
nopirated material isdiscovered. Damages areassessed inaccordance withthelossoftheinvolved
persons, including thecosts incurred bytheauthorities asaresult ofthedetention ofthegoods.
Accordingly theamount varies from casetocase.
Therightholder isgiven theopportunity toinspect theshipments ofsuspected pirated material
orcounterfeitgoods,cf.ECRegulationNo.3295/94,Article6(1).TherightholdermayalsobeprovidedIP/N/6/DNK/1
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withinformation ofthename andaddress oftheinfringer toenable therightholder topursue hisrights
before theordinary courts.
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity of
decisions bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofree
circulation?
Pursuant toSection 2oftheDanish ActNo.1091 of20December, theapplicant istopay
afeeofDKK 500forfiling theapplication. Hereafter, thecompetent customs officials willexamine
theapplication andprovide theapplicant withawritten answer assoonaspossible. Normally, the
decision togrant arequest foraction made bytherightholder isvalid foraperiod ofthree months
andrenewable upon request from therightholder.
Following thenotification fromthecustoms authorities therightholder hastenworking days
tobring thecasebefore thecourt which makes thefinaldecision onthemerits, cf.above under
question 16(a).
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
According toECRegulation No.3295/94, Article 4,thecustoms officials mayinitiate
proceedingsregardingsuspectedpiratedimportsontheirowninitiativeifitappearsevidenttothecustoms
officials thatthegoods arecounterfeit orpirated.
Where thename oftherightholder isknown tothecustoms authorities, therightholder will
benotifiedwithinacoupleofdays.Withinthreeworkingdays,therightholdershallapplyforsuspension
ofrelease andisthengiven atime-limit oftenworking daysfrom thedateoftheapplication tofile
acomplaint withthecourt. Where suchcomplaint isnotfiledwithin tendays, thegoods willbereleased.
After thispoint, thetimelineisasdescribed above.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
According toArticle 8ofECRegulation No.3295/94, thecustoms authorities may, when
infringement hasbeenestablished bythecourts, order thatthegoods bealtered, destroyed orhanded
overtothestate, typically fordestruction. Itisinsufficient: (i)tore-export thecounterfeit orpirated
goods inanunaltered state; (ii)tosimply remove thetrademarks affixed tothecounterfeit goods;
or(iii)toapply under adifferent customs procedure.
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Asstated above under question 1,infringement proceedings regarding IPRsarebrought before
theordinary courts. Thisapplies tobothcivilandcriminal aspects ofaninfringement case.
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Danish actsonIPRs alllaydown provisions regarding penalties where IPRs areinfringed.IP/N/6/DNK/1
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Withrespect totheinfringement ofpatent rights, design rights andtrademarks, onlydeliberate
infringements arepenalized, cf.thePatent Act,Section 57,theRegistered Designs Act,Section 35,
theTrademark Act,Section 42andTopographies Act,Section 16.However, asforinfringement of
copyright, both deliberate andgrossly negligent actsarecriminalized, cf.theCopyright Act,
Sections 76-80.
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings?
Asarule,instigation ofcriminal proceedings inIPRinfringement cases aresubject toprivate
prosecution. Where proceedings areexceptionally initiated bythepublic authorities, suchproceedings
willbeinitiated bythepublic prosecutor.
Aretheyrequired todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
Only insituations ofgross infringements ofIPRs-when professional crimes takeplace -the
public prosecutor initiates proceedings.
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Criminalenforcementofinfringementofintellectualpropertyissubjecttotheprincipleofprivate
prosecution. Acasehastobebrought before thecourt bytheinjured party himself athisownfinancial
risk. Proceedings aresubject tothecivilprocedural rulessetoutintheAdministration ofJustice Act.
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- imprisonment
Where infringement iswilful andtheproduction iscommercial, apunishment ofup
tooneyearofimprisonment maybeimposed, theCopyright Act,Section 76(2), the
Patent Act,Section 57,theTrademark Act,Section 42,andtheRegistered Designs
Act,Section 35.
- monetary fines
Thecourts consider civilremedies tobetheproper wayinwhich infringement may
bestopped, andfinesarerarely imposed ontheinfringer. However, practice shows
anincreasing tendency forimposing fines, andinthisrespect practice alsoshows a
tendency foranincrease inthesizeofthefines.
- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production
Since thecivilprocedural rulesareapplicable under private prosecution, thecourt may
accordingly seizethegoods andrequire thedestruction oralteration ofthegoods and
toolsifthisisclaimed bytherightholder, cf.theanswer provided above toquestion 5.
TheAdministration ofJustice Actcontains provisions regarding search thatalsomay
beapplied.IP/N/6/DNK/1
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25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Inpractice, cases ofinfringement areseldom conducted solely ascriminal cases. Accordingly,
atypical casecovers anapplication foraninjunction, andthefollowing confirmatory action isoften
combined withapleaforpunishment. Asforduration andcostsofproceedings, please seetheanswer
provided above under question 8.
There arenostatistics available concerning duration andcosts insuchproceedings.