WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/NLD/1
31January 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-0390)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from theNetherlands
Introductory Remarks
InconformitywiththerequestoftheTRIPSCouncilfurthertoitsdecisionof21November1995
(document IP/C/5 of30November 1995) theGovernment oftheKingdom ofTheNetherlands is
honouredtosupplytheCouncil,inresponsetothechecklistprovidedtoit,withthefollowinginformation
regarding thenational enforcement lawsandpractices intheNetherlands.
Such information canonlybeofaverygeneral nature anditshould notbeseenorusedas
anything other thananintroduction toDutch civil, administrative andcriminal procedures inthefield
ofintellectual property. Specific problems, claims andquestions should bedealtwithbyinstructing
lawyers orreverting tothecontact points notified under Article 69oftheAgreement.
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
Introduction
Therulesofcivilprocedure arefound mainly intheDutch Code ofCivil Procedure, theAct
ontheOrganization oftheJudiciary andthe1968 European Treaty onJurisdiction andRecognition
inCivil andCommercial Matters which isvalid within thecountries oftheEuropean Union.
Under theActontheOrganization oftheJudiciary, thejudiciary comprises theHoge Raad
orSupreme Court, thefiveGerechtshoven orCourts ofAppeal, the19Rechtbanken orDistrict Courts
andthe64Kantongerechten orCantonal Courts.
There isnojurytrialinTheNetherlands. Judges areindependent andappointed forlife(that
is,untiltheageof70)byRoyal Decree. AJudge canonlybedismissed byhiscolleagues inthe
judiciary. Although lower courts dogenerally follow andcertainly payattention tothedecisions of
theHoge Raad,there isnostare decisis rule.
Cases areheard byoneorthree Judges.
1Document IP/C/5.IP/N/6/NLD/1
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Fundamental principles ofDutch laware:
- proceedings areheldinpublic;
- bothparties must beafforded theopportunity toforward theirpoint ofview orally
orinwriting;
- there must betwocourts hearing thefactsofthecaseandappeal totheHoge Raad
onpoints oflaw;and
- allcourt decisions must bemotivated, stating thegrounds forthedecision infull.
Under strict financial andother conditions, litigants maybeeligible forlegalaid.
Damages, injunctions, andother measures sought aregoverned bytherules intherelevant
Acts(forinstance theCopyright ActandtheActonNeighbouring Rights) aswellastheDutch Civil
Code.
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
Cases involving alleged infringement ofintellectual property rights should ingeneral bebrought
before therechtbank inthedistrict where thedefendant hasitsdomicile, or,barring suchofficial
domicile, hisactual residence. Ifthedefendant hasnoresidence inanyofthecountries oftheEuropean
Union, therechtbank oftheplaintiff 'sdomicile iscompetent tohearthecase. Aspecific proceedings
onshort-term notice known askortgeding (discussed below) maybebrought before thecourt inthe
district where themeasures willhavetobetaken.
Cases involving patents canonlybebrought before theRechtbank inTheHague (DenHaag).
Cases valued atlessthanDFL 5.000,- should bebrought before thekantongerecht .
Appeal iswithoneoftheGerechtshoven .
There isnoneedtoaskforpermission (certiorari )toappeal fromtheappellate court'sdecision
withtheHoge Raad,buttheHoge Raad willdecide upon points oflawandnotre-examine thefacts.
Incasesinvolvingtrademarksanddesignstherechtbanken,thegerechtshovenandtheHogeRaad
canasktheBenelux-gerechtshof (consisting ofDutch, Belgian andLuxembourg Judges) torender a
preliminary ruling ontheinterpretation oftheUniform Benelux Trademark Act(BTA) ortheUniform
Benelux Design Act(BDA).
TheCode ofCivil Procedure orCCPcontains aseparate chapter oncommercial arbitration.
TheNational Arbitration Institute provides foradministrative support, regulations andnames of
prospective arbitrators. Iftheprerequisites oftheCCParefulfilled, anarbitrary award canbeenforced
afterthePresident oftheRechtbank hasapproved thedecision, which approval isgiven unless the
decision wasrendered inviolation oftherulesofdueprocess. Incaseparties haveagreed toarbitrate
(inwriting) civilcourts arenolonger competent tohearthecase. Without prejudice tothefullarbitration
proceedings, however, provisional measures canusually beobtained from civilcourts.
Various branch organizations including theAssociation ofArchitects (BNA) haveincluded
arbitration provisions intheirgeneral conditions.IP/N/6/NLD/1
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2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPR's?Howmaytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytherightholder?
Under Article 27oftheCopyright Act1912theauthor mayinstigate proceedings against third
party infringers evenifhehastransferred hisrights. Theauthor maybring acaseforinfringement
ofmoral rights. Incaseofjointauthorship, either author isentitled tobring aclaim.
Thetransferee isentitled toassert therights transferred tohim. Author andpublisher may
bring theiractions jointly orseparately.
Copyright licensees whohavenotcontracted foranindividual righttolitigate should cooperate
withtheauthor. Onthesame footing, thePatent Act,theBTAandtheBDA allow licensees tobring
acasebefore court ifandtotheextent thattheyhavereceived therighttodosofrom thelicensor.
Copyright classactions arepossible fororganizations, suchascertain foundations, designated
asrepresentatives ofrightholders.
Allpartiesshouldberepresentedbyaprocureuroranofficialrepresentativebeforetherechtbank,
thegerechtshof andtheHoge Raad.AllDutch lawyers areprocureurs withtherechtbank where their
lawoffices aresituated.
Because ofthetechnicalities ofHoge Raad pleadings, lawyers tendtorequest acorrespondent
procureur from oneoftheHague lawfirms (where theHoge Raad issituated) torepresent them.
Before thekantongerecht onemayrepresent oneself.
There isnomandatory personal appearance byeither plaintiff ordefendant, unless theyhave
beencalled aswitnesses.
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
TheDutch system doesnotinvolve pre-trial discovery; itisbased ontherulethateachparty
must (beready to)prove itsstatements. Thecourt isempowered toorder aparty torender proof
following Article 177CCP. Apart frompresenting thecourt withwritten materials, thewitness hearing
isoneofthemost important ways ofdoing so.Please notethatthecourt asksthequestions.
Incaseaparty wishes toavailitself ofinformation prior toinstigating proceedings, onemay
petition thecourt forpermission tohaveapreliminary witness hearing. Thisisgranted unless the
rechtbankfindsthatthepetitionismadeforvexatiousreasonsorwouldotherwisecontravenedueprocess.
Article 843aCCP provides forthedisclosure ofcertain materials.
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Under theequality ofarmsruleeachpartyisentitled tobegiven acopyofallmaterials presented
tothecourt inevidence. Incaseofsensitive information, thecourt andparties 'lawyers usually discuss
priortothewitness hearing howthenecessary information canbeobtained without either party having
todivulge trade secrets which arenotrelevant tothecase.IP/N/6/NLD/1
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5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
- injunctions;
- damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees;
- destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements for
their production;
- anyother remedies.
There arevarious remedies inintellectual property cases which depend entirely onthefacts
ofthecaseandthenature oftheinfringement. Commonly, thefollowing remedies aresought:
- declaratoryjudgements(wrongfulactor,sometimes,legalityofcertainactiondemanded
byplaintiff whofearspostponed action plussubstantive claim fordamages afterwards);
- courtorder toabstain fromcertain activities, usually reinforced byconditional damages
incaseofnon-compliance;
- court order toact,suchasrecalling illegally published books, official correction of
unjust allegations, publication ofcourt decision innewspaper ormagazine;
- recalling illegal copies fordestruction;
- theprovision ofinformation about suppliers orbuyers;
- claim onorevendestruction ofproduction equipment usedfortheinfringing goods.
Ondemand, measures canbeordered provisionally enforceable meaning thatappeal doesnot
preclude thewinning party from enforcing thejudgement. Thedefendant isentitled todemand that
theparty enforcing thedecision putupabankguarantee tocover costs etc.incaseofreversal.
Injunctive relief canbesought inordinary proceedings butonemight want torevert tothe
kortgeding .Thisprocedure isaspecific provision inDutch procedural lawwhich wasoriginally
intended tooffer aprovisional remedy onlybutovertheyears hasestablished itself asanexcellent
waytoquickly settle adispute through thecourts. Akortgeding isheldafterthewritofsummons
containing thegrounds oftheclaim isserved ondefendant andheisgiven anopportunity torespond
before thecourt. Thekortgeding ispresided overbyasenior judge.
Ifnecessary, judges mayhearcases onshort notice orinweekends. Itisuptotheplaintiff
toseetoitthatthedefendant isdulysummoned, inconformity withthecourt'sorders, which will
statetheultimate dateforsuchsummons tobeserved.
Thecriteria foruseofanyoftheremedies areextensive, varied, andhighly dependent onthe
factsandcircumstances ofthecase. They arefound ingeneral Acts(Civil Code) aswellasspecific
Acts(theCopyright Act). Injurisprudence, provisions havebeenrefined andelaborated uponbythe
Hoge Raad.
Thenature andextent oftheinfringement, theintentions oftheinfringer -merely byaccident
oronpurpose -questions ofreasonableness andfairness, legitimate expectations, andother general
principles oflawwillberelevant forthecourt'sdecision.IP/N/6/NLD/1
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Thegeneral rulesondamages arefound inArticles 6:95-6:110 CC.Damages canbeawarded
based onthefactual method (actual damages sustained) orabstract method whereby thecostsofrepair
areawarded irrespective ofwhether theplaintiff doesinfactmake suchrepairs. Thecourt mayalso
decide exaequo etbono.Actual orabstract damages canbemitigated bythecourt.
Should, atthetimeofthedecision alldatanotyetbeavailable, thendamages canbe"listed
andmetinaccordance withthelaw"following Articles 612-615b CCP. Thiswillentail aseparate
procedure.
Infringement maygiverisetoawards forrecovery ofprofits aswellasdamages (Articles 27
and27a,Copyright Act;Article 16,ActonNeighbouring Rights; Article 70,paragraph 4,Patent Act;
Article 13a,paragraph 4,BTA; andArticle 14,paragraph 3,BDA).
Immaterial damages canbeawarded further toArticle 6:106 CC.
Damages incaseofnon-compliance aregoverned byArticles 611a-611i CCP.
Theawarding ofcostsoftheproceedings isregulated byArticles 56-58 CCP. These include
theRegistry Feeranging from DFL 350,- toDFL 6.625,- withtherechtbank andDFL 420,- to
DFL 8280,- withthegerechtshof ortheHoge Raad,depending onthemonetary value ofthecase.
Thedefendant inakortgeding paysDFL330,- irrespective ofthevalue ofthecase. Thecourt may
alsoaward compensation forcosts ofthebailiff 'sservices.
Lawyer 'sfeesareawarded through using ageneral tariffscheme based onthenumber ofofficial
writs andappearances aswellasthemonetary value ofthecase. Please beaware thatthese donot
relate to,andwillingeneral notcover, the(hourly) ratesoffeenotes. Forlawyers admitted tothe
Dutch Bar,litigating acasebased oncontingency feesisforbidden.
Expenses ofwitnesses, interpreters, andexperts aredealt withseparately. Theparty who
summons awitness isresponsible towards thewitness forreimbursement oftravel andother expenses.
Incasehewins, thecosts form partofthemonetary costs awarded bythecourt.
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?
TheBTAandtheBDAcontain specific provisions giving therightholder thepossibility toclaim
information from theinfringer, forinstance todivulge theorigins oftheinfringing goods, see
Article 13bis,paragraph 5,BTA andArticle 14bis,paragraph 5,BDA.
There isnoformal provision ineither theCivil Code, theCopyright ActorthePatent Act
forthisclaim, buttherightholder isfreetodemand thattheinfringer name hissources and/or the
amounts ofillegal goods involved, bothonorder torecall ordestroy illegal products andtoassess
damages. Innumerous cases thisdemand hasmetwithapproval bythecourts.
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat
"remedial measures" areapplicable tothem?
Incasetheplaintiff cannot substantiate hisallegations, hewillgenerally beordered topaythe
costsoftheproceedings inaccordance withthetariffs setoutabove. Furthermore, thedefendant mayIP/N/6/NLD/1
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bring a(counter-) claim against theplaintiff, forinstance, fordamages tohisreputation inhaving been
wrongfully enjoined.
Incivilprocedures theroleofofficials islimited, (see,however, therulesonborder measures
andcriminal proceedings below). TheStateasrightholder orinfringer istreated likeaprivate party
anditsofficials arenotliable anymore thanother employees ofother (private orcommercial) entities
would havebeen. Actions inthenormal course ofworkaretheresponsibility oftheemployer following
Article 6:170 CC.
TheStateisnotliable for"wrongful" court decisions unless anyprocedure would contravene
thefundamental human rights assetoutintheEuropean Convention onHuman Rights. There isno
caseonrecord since theintroduction oftheConvention in1950 where acomplaint ledtodamages
connected withintellectual property rights having tobepaidbytheState. Inallother cases, inthe
Dutch legalsystem parties 'rights areprotected through thepossibilities ofappeal andcassation with
theHoge Raad.
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Itisextremely difficult togiverulesofthumb withrespect toduration andcostsofproceedings,
since thisdepends entirely onthecourse ofaction chosen byparties, thenature andcomplexity ofthe
case, thepeople involved, etc.
(b) Administrative proceedings
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
Asseenfromtherepliestothequestionsabove,intellectualpropertyprotectionintheNetherlands
isessentially amatter forprivate rules, ifnecessary reinforced byprovisions ofthecriminal code.
TheNetherlands dohaveseparate administrative legislation. Onemayappeal fromanorder,
defined asawritten ruling ofanadministrative authority constituting ajuristic actunder public law
(Article 8:1oftheGeneral Administrative Act(AWB)). Before appealing, oneshould make anobjection
against theorder withtheadministrative body toenable thisbody tore-examine itsprocedures and
themerits ofitsdecision. Irrespective oftheoutcome ofthisre-examination, theperson towhom
theorder hadbeenaddressed mayseekaremedy incourt. There areseparate chambers within the
rechtbanken known asthesector bestuursrecht which arecompetent tohearthecase.
Thesector bestuursrecht mayquash anorder inwhole orinpartanddemand thatthe
administrative authorities render anewdecision, taking intoaccount thecourt order. Sometimes the
court decides todirect thatthelegalconsequences ofadecision shallbeallowed tostand, inwhich
casetheplaintiff isusually awarded damages. Occasionally thecourt itself renders arevised order.
Contrary tocivillawcases, there isnomandatory representation. Those persons whoare
requested bythecourt toappear should doso(Article 8:27AWB).
There arenocosts involved inmaking anobjection totheorder. Theregistry feewiththe
court onappeal isDFL 200,- fornatural persons andDFL 400,- forothers (such ascorporations).
Thefeeisreimbursable should theappeal begranted. Damages canbedemanded bothwiththesector
bestuursrecht andtherechtbank .IP/N/6/NLD/1
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Following Article 8:29AWB itispossible toaskthecourt nottodivulge theinformation in
certain documents. There isaspecific procedure inwhich thecourt decides whether thereasons for
sucharequest areserious enough andtheopposite party should expressly agree tothewithholding
ofmaterial.
TheActcontains rules onprovisional measures during thefullproceedings, likehalting the
execution oftheorder during theappeal.
There arenospecific provisions intheCopyright Act,theActonNeighbouring Rights and
theBenelux Designs andModels Actdealing withdecisions tobemade bytheauthorities. Under
Article 6bisoftheBenelux Trademarks Actanapplicant mayappeal from adecision nottoaccept
acertain trademark offered forregistration withtheCourt ofAppeals (inLuxembourg, Brussels or
TheHague). TheBureau forindustrial property decides uponrequests forpatents. Appeal ispossible
withtheRechtbank inTheHague (Article 81,Patent Act1995).
Provisional Measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
Themostimportant andwidely usedprovisional measure istheseizure orattachment ofgoods
orassets ingeneral. Under Articles 700andfollowing CCPseizure ofallassets ispossible, including
assets heldbythirdparties, suchasbankaccounts, tosecure thepossibility ofrecovery ofdamages,
etc.
Article 28Copyright Actallows thecopyright holder andthelicensee toseize illegal goods
asiftheywere thecopyright holder 'sproperty ortheproceeds andother monetary gains of
infringements, e.g.theprice ofthetickets incaseofillegal screening ofprotected works. Thisform
ofseizure isgiven explicitly tostopinfringement ofcopyrights, patent rights andneighbouring rights.
Anorder tohandovercounterfeit goods maybedirected against anyone whoistheactual holder/owner
ofsuchgoods, evenifheobtained those ingood faith.
Theholder ofatrademark mayclaim ownership ofinfringing goods ormaterials usedwhen
producing theinfringing goods, orhave them destroyed. Monies probably gained asaresult of
infringement should behanded overtotherightholder. Such claims cannot beupheld, however, if
infringement wasmade ingood faith(Article 13bisoftheBenelux Trademark Act).
Inconformity withArticle 709CCPgoods maybeputincustody withanofficial appointed
bythecourt, suchasaDutch public notary. Thismeasure isappropriate when itisfeared thatgoods
will"disappear" inspiteofaformal attachment orwhen suchattachment hasnotbeensought. Should
seizure and/or custody ofgoods beimpractical thecourt mayappoint anindependent administrator,
asmeant inArticle 710CCP.
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
Seizure isalways possible exparte,without thecourt hearing thedefendant andwithout any
writtenwarning,providedtheapplicantcomplieswithallproceduresandcriteriasetoutbelow,under12.
Having goods putincustody issometimes possible exparte;theapplicant must inform the
opposite partyassoonaspossible about thecustody andthegrounds forthismeasure. Seealsounder 12.IP/N/6/NLD/1
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12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect the
legitimate interests ofthedefendant.
Seizure ispossible onlyfollowing express written Permission ofthePresident oftheRechtbank .
SuchPermission canbeobtained almost anytime andifnecessary onveryshort notice, provided the
applicant sufficiently demonstrates thegrounds forhisclaim, theamount forwhich heisseeking
permission (oranidentification ofthegoods which heaimstoseize) andtheownership ofthegoods
oraccounts tobeseized, inhispetition tothecourt. Applicants canbeordered toputupsecurity
tocover themonetary risksofseizure.
Theactualseizureistakecareofbytheofficialbailiffordeurwaarder,apublicofficialappointed
bytheCrown whowillserve thewritofseizure together withthePermission fromthecourtondefendant
oronthethirdparty.
TheCourt President willalways order thepetitioner toinstigate proceedings, usually within
anywhere from eight to14daysafterthedayofseizure; incasethewritofsummons isnotissued,
ornotissued ontime, theseizure willbelifted asofrightwithout anyfurther decision bythecourt
being necessary.
Furthermore, thedefendant isoffered, inArticle 705CCP, anopportunity todispute theseizure
inkortgeding .Because seizure takes place exparte andonthebasis ofthepresentation ofthecase
bythepetitioner only, court registries tendtoprovide thedefendant withadateforsuchkortgeding
uponveryshort notice. Indeed some registries aimtohaveasenior judge available onwhatonemight
describe asastand-by basis.
Bylawtheseizure following Articles 700andfollowing CCPmustbelifted when thedefendant
putsupsecurity fortheamount forwhich attachment hasbeenallowed.
Thedefendant isatanytimeallowed toputupaclaim fordamages.
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Provided thepetition iswell-founded permission toseize canbeobtained quickly -within a
dayorevenwithin afewhours. Themain proceeding willhavetobebrought before thecourt by
theplaintiff within thetimelimitsetupbytheCourt President inthePermission, usually eightto14days
aftertheseizure.
Thecourt registry costs forsubmitting apetition areDFL 350,- pluslawyer 'sfees.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
Seeanswer toquestion 9.
Special requirements relating 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 otherIP/N/6/NLD/1
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thancounterfeit trademark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement
(footnote toArticle 51). Specify, together withrelevant criteria, anyimports excluded
from theapplication ofsuchprocedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms
union, goods intransit ordeminimis imports). Dotheprocedures apply toimports of
goods putonthemarket inanother country byorwiththeconsent oftheright holder
andtogoods destined forexportation?
16. Provide adescription ofthemain elements oftheprocedures relating tothesuspension
oftherelease ofgoods bycustoms authorities, inparticular thecompetent authorities
(Article 51),therequirements foranapplication (Article 52)andvarious requirements
related totheduration ofsuspension (Article 55). How have Articles 53(security or
equivalent assurance), 56(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofthegoods)
and57(right ofinspection andinformation) been implemented?
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity of
decisions bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofree
circulation?
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and, ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
Atthismoment, changes totheCriminal Code, theCopyright Act,andtheActonNeighbouring
Rights areinpreparation further toRegulation 3295/94 oftheCouncil oftheEuropean Communities
relating toborder measures. AsinallEUMember States, theprovisions ofECregulations aredirectly
applicable intheNetherlands.
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Seeresponsetoquestion1.Thereareseparatesectorswithinthecourtsknownasthestrafkamer.
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Anoverview oftheprovisions concerned would readasfollows:
a. Wetboek vanStrafrecht (Criminal Code)
Article 337:
1. Aperson whoimports intotheNetherlands (without themanifest intention tore-export),
sells, offers forsale,delivers, distributes orstocks forsaleordistribution:
(a) anyfalse, falsified orillegally manufactured trademark;
(b) anygoods which falsely bear,onthemselves orontheirpackaging, thebusiness
name ofanother person;IP/N/6/NLD/1
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(c) orthetrademark towhich another person isentitled, orafalseindication of
origin intheformofthename ofaspecified place together withthename of
afictitious person;
(d) orwhich arecontained inpackaging bearing suchname ormark oraname
ormark closely resembling them, shallbeliable toimprisonment foraterm
notexceeding oneyearortoafineofthefifthcategory (DFL 100,000).
2. Ifthefelony mentioned inthefirstparagraph causes ageneral danger forpersons or
goods, theperson found guilty isliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding fouryears
orafineofthefifthcategory (DFL 100,000).
b. Auteurswet 1912 (Copyright Act1912)
Article 31:aperson who, byintent, violates another person 'scopyright shallbeliable to
imprisonmentforatermnotexceedingsixmonthsorafineofthefourthcategory(DFL25,000).
Article 31a: aperson who, byintent, publicly offers fordistribution, orstocks for
multiplicationordistribution,orstocksforimportationintotheNetherlandsorstocksformotives
ofgainanygood thatcontains aviolation ofanother person 'scopyright, shallbeliable to
imprisonmentforatermnotexceedingsixmonthsorafineofthefourthcategory(DFL25,000).
Article 31b: apersonwhocommitsthefeloniesreferredtoinArticles31and31aAuteurswet
foraliving orasabusiness, isliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding fouryears
orafineofthefifthcategory (DFL 100,000).
Article 32: aperson whopublicly offers fordistribution, orstocks formultiplication or
distribution, orstocks forimportation intotheNetherlands, orstocks from motives ofgain
agood ofwhich hecanreasonable know thatitcontains aviolation ofanother person 's
copyright, shallbeliable toafineofthethirdcategory (DFL 10,000).
Article 32a: aperson who, byintent, publicly offers fordistribution, orstocks for
multiplication ordistribution, orstocks forimportation intotheNetherlands, orstocks from
motives ofgain, anyobjects exclusively destined toremove orevade atechnical protection
ofacomputer programme without permission ofthemaker oralicensed person, shallbeliable
toimprisonment foraterm notexceeding sixmonths orafineofthefourth category
(DFL 25,000).
Article 34:
1. Aperson who, without authorization andbyintent, changes thename ofanywork
ofliterature, science orartprotected bycopyright, thename ordesignation ofitsauthor, or
anyother aspect regarding suchwork inawaythatthiscould cause damage tothehonour
orreputation oftheauthor orhisvalue inthisquality, shallbeliable toimprisonment fora
termnotexceeding sixmonths orafineofthefourth category (DFL 25,000).
c. Wetopdenaburige rechten (ActonNeighbouring Rights)
Article 21: aperson who, byintent, violates therights referred toinArticles 2,6,7aand
8Wetopdenaburige rechten (WNR) shallbeliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding
sixmonths orafineofthefourth category (DFL 25,000).IP/N/6/NLD/1
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Article22:apersonwho,byintent,broadcasts,re-broadcastsorotherwisepublishes,orpublicly
offers fordistribution, orstocks forreproduction ordistribution, orstocks forimportation
intotheNetherlands, orstocks frommotives ofgainaregistration orreproduction thereof of
which heknows thatitviolates therights referred toinArticles 2,6,7aand8WNR, shall
beliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding sixmonths orafineofthefourth category
(DFL 25,000).
Article 23: aperson whocommits thefelonies referred toinArticles 21and22WNR for
aliving orasabusiness, isliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding fouryears ora
fineofthefifthcategory (DFL 100,000).
Article 24: aperson whobroadcasts, re-broadcasts orotherwise publishes, orpublicly
offers fordistribution, orstocks forreproduction ordistribution, orstocks forimportation
intotheNetherlands orstocks frommotives ofgain, aregistration orreproduction thereof of
which hecanreasonably know thatitcontains aviolation oftherights referred toinArticles 2,
6,7aand8WNR, shallbeliable toafineofthethirdcategory (DFL 10,000).
Article 25: aperson who, without authorization andbyintent, changes thename ofany
performance, thename ordesignation ofitsperformer, oranyother aspect regarding such
performance which could cause damage tothehonour orreputation oftheauthor orhisvalue
inthisquality, shallbeliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding sixmonths orafine
ofthefourth category (DFL 25,000).
d. Rijksoctrooiwet 1995 (Patent Act)
Article 79:
1. Aperson who,byintent, violates therightofapatentee byoneoftheactivities referred
toinArticle 53,paragraph 1Patent Act,shallbeliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding
sixmonths orafineofthefourth category (DFL 25,000).
2. Aperson whocommits thecrime referred tointhepreceding paragraph foraliving
orasabusiness, isliable toimprisonment foratermnotexceeding fouryears orafineof
thefifthcategory (DFL 100,000).
3. Incaseofaconviction, ajudge maydecide theverdict tobepublished.
4. Incaseobjects havebeenconfiscated, thepatentee maydemand thatthese objects be
issued tohim,under thecondition thatheapplies totheclerkwithin amonth afterthejudgement
hascome intoforce. Bythisissue, theproperty oftheobjects istransferred tothepatentee.
Thejudge maybindtheissue oftheobject tothecondition thatacompensation bepaidby
thepatentee totheState.
5. Theoffenses referred tointhisArticle arefelonies. Inthefirstinstance, thesefelonies
arejudged exclusively bytheDistrict Court inTheHague.
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
Prosecution ispossible bythePublic Prosecution Service only(Article 167Code ofCriminal
Procedure(Sv)). They areentitled tostartprosecution ontheirowninitiative (exofficio ),butmayalsoIP/N/6/NLD/1
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dosoinresponse tocomplaints. They arenotobliged tostartaprosecution, butmayinstead decide
todismiss acaseforreasons ofpublic interest (Article 167Sv).
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Incasetheprosecution decides thatacasewillnotbeprosecuted, avictim orother person
withadirect interest mayfileacomplaint withthegerechtshof (court ofappeal). Thecourt maydecide
thattheprosecution must becontinued (Article 12Sv).
Being theaggrieved party, avictim mayalsojointhecriminal procedure inorder toaska
compensation ofthedamages suffered (Articles 51a-51fSv). Inthatcase, thejudge mayimpose
thiscompensation asasanction, inaddition toother sanctions (Article 36fCriminal Code (Sr)).
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production;
- other.
Imprisonment andfinesareasdescribed under question 21.
- Seizure ispossible regarding anygoods orobjects thatmayserve asevidence or
demonstrate theillegal obtention ofprofits (Article 94Sv).
- Forfeiture andconfiscation arepossible regarding anyobjects which were obtained
bytheoffence, against which theoffence wasdirected, which were used inthe
commission orpreparation oftheoffence, which havehindered theinvestigation or
which weredestined tobeusedintheoffence (Articles 33a,paragraph 1and36bSr).
Unless theuncontrolled possession oftheobjects concerned conflicts withthelawor
iscontrary topublic interest, therights ofthirdpersons areprotected under Article 33a,
paragraph 2Sr.
- Onthebasis ofArticles 552aand552b Sv,thevictim, aggrieved party orother civil
party mayfilecomplaints regarding theseizure, theforfeiture, theconfiscation ornot
being issued tohimofanyobject ordataheisentitled to.Furthermore, aswas
described under question 21,Article 79,paragraph 4Patent Actcontains aspecial
procedure forissuing infringing goods tothepatentee whowasthevictim oftheoffence.
- Please notethatmoney-laundering isaseparate offence under Articles 416and417Sr.
- Onthebasis ofArticle 36eSr,thepublic prosecutor maystartaseparate procedure
inorder tohavethesanction ofconfiscation ofproceeds ofoffences imposed.
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Ingeneral, therighttoprosecute expires bysuperannuation (Article 70Sr),theperiod ofwhich
depends onthesevereness oftheoffence involved. Besides, theCode ofCriminal Procedure contains
anumber oftimeperiods which influence theduration ofproceedings. Asfarasminimum periodsIP/N/6/NLD/1
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areconcerned, theperiod between thenotice ofsummons tothesuspect andthestartofthetrialmust
beatleast10days(Article 265Sv). Maximum terms aree.g.those forlodging anappeal andfor
filing acomplaint against non-prosecution asdescribed under question 23.Furthermore, onthebasis
ofArticle 6European Convention onHuman Rights, procedures mustbefinished "within areasonable
time/without undue delay". If,depending onthecircumstances oftheindividual case, thisperiod is
deemed tohavebeenexceeded, thecourt maydeclare thecaseclosed.
Dutch criminal lawdoesnotrecognize thepossibility tocondemn asuspect tocontribute in
thecosts oftheprocedure. Regardless oftheoutcome oftheprocedure, theState maycompensate
several categories ofcosts made bytheformer suspect andhisheirs. Thisspecifically refers to
expenditures thathaveserved theinterest oftheinvestigation (e.g.forthepresence ofwitnesses for
thedefence) andexpenditures thathave become useless because theprosecution authorities have
withdrawn theirsummons orappeal. Incasenosanction isimposed, theformer suspect mayalso
becompensated inhistravel andlodging expenditures, waste oftimeandcosts forlegalcounsel.
Information onthecosts ofcriminal procedures ingeneral orthose concerning intellectual
property isnotavailable.