RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE IP/C/W/80
1October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4134)
Council forTrade-Related Aspects Original: English
ofIntellectual Property Rights
REVIEW OFLEGISLATION ONENFORCEMENT
Questions Posed bytheEuropean Communities andtheirMember States
Bymeans ofacommunication from thePermanent Delegation oftheEuropean Commission
dated 10September 1997, theSecretariat hasreceived thefollowing questions that the
European Communities andtheirMember States hadcommunicated toAustralia, Bulgaria, Canada,
theCzech Republic, Hungary, Japan, NewZealand, Norway, Poland, theSlovak Republic, Slovenia,
South Africa, Switzerland andtheUnited States.
Page
Australia 2
Bulgaria 4
Canada 7
Czech Republic 10
Hungary 13
Japan 15
NewZealand 18
Norway 20
Poland 22
Slovak Republic 23
Slovenia 25
South Africa 26
Switzerland 28
United States 30IP/C/W/80
Page2
AUSTRALIA
1. Please explain theprocedure andthelegal basis pursuant towhich Australian lawprovides
forthepaymentofadequateremunerationincaseofGovernmentuseofintellectualproperty(Article44.2
oftheTRIPS Agreement).
2. Could theGovernment ofAustralia please clarify thefollowing. Inwhatmanner andonwhat
legal basis doesAustralian legislation comply withtheobligations under Article 46oftheTRIPS
Agreement?
3. Please explain theprocedure andthelegalbasis pursuant towhich thecompetent authorities
inAustralia inform theperson initiating aprocedure forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods, within
areasonable period, whether theyhaveaccepted theapplication and,where determined bythecompetent
authorities, theperiod forwhich thecustoms authorities willtakeaction (Article 52oftheTRIPS
Agreement).
4. Please explain themanner andthelegalbasispursuant towhich anapplicant forthesuspension
oftherelease ofgoods mustprovide asecurity orequivalent assurance sufficient toprotect thedefendant.
(Article 53.1oftheTRIPS Agreement).
5. Please explain themanner andthelegalbasis pursuant towhich Australian lawprovides for
areview, upon request ofthedefendant, ofborder measures onceproceedings leading toadecision
onthemerits ofthecasehavebeeninitiated (Article 55oftheTRIPS Agreement).
6. Could theGovernment ofAustralia please clarify whether Australian legislation istobe
interpreted asrequiring thepayment totheimporter, theconsignee andtheowner ofthegoods of
appropriate compensation for"anyinjury" caused tothem through thewrongful detention ofgoods
(andnotonlycompensation forthelossordamage thatisattributable toaperiod beginning onorafter
thedateonwhich anaction forinfringement wascommenced) (Article 56oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
7. Please explain theprocedure andthelegalbasis pursuant towhich therightholder aswellas
theimporter shallhavetherighttoinspect counterfeit trademark goods detained bycustoms authorities
(Article 57oftheTRIPS Agreement).
8. Could theGovernment ofAustralia clarify whether Australian legislation explicitly prohibits
there-exportation ofcounterfeit trademark goods from Australia inanunaltered state? Ifso,please
explain andplease alsoexplain thelegal basis. Ifno,please describe thecircumstances, ifany,in
which suchgoods maybere-exported from Australia inanunaltered state(Article 59oftheTRIPS
Agreement).
9. Please explain theprocedure, conditions andlegalbasispursuant towhich, incases ofwilful
trademark counterfeiting onacommercial scale, theremedies ofseizure, forfeiture anddestruction
ofinfringing goods andofanymaterials usedpredominantly intheinfringement existunder criminal
Australian law(Article 61oftheTRIPS Agreement).
10. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofAustralia provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgment;IP/C/W/80
Page3
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofAustralia explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inAustralia andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated.IP/C/W/80
Page4
BULGARIA
1. Could theGovernment ofBulgaria clarify whether Bulgarian lawprovides foreffective action
against anyactofinfringement ofintellectual property rights, notably inrespect oflayout-designs of
integrated circuits, inaccordance withArticle 41.1oftheTRIPS Agreement?
2. Theprovisions ofBulgarian law,which provide forinjunctive relief incases ofinfringement
ofintellectual property rights, donotseemtocontain anymeans toenforce suchinjunctions (e.g.there
arenosanctions available forviolations ofinjunctions). Please explain howthiscomplies with
Article 41.1oftheTRIPS Agreement ("...deterrent tofurther infringements.")?
3. Please clarify thelegalbasispursuant towhich theowner ofrights inatrademark, anindustrial
design oranappellation oforigin mayenforce those rights inaccordance withArticle 42oftheTRIPS
Agreement. Isitintended thatenforcement matters willbeaddressed inamendments toLawNo.95
of5December 1967 which arepresently under preparation orconsideration? Please explain.
4. CouldtheGovernmentofBulgariaclarifywhetherBulgarianlawmakesprovision,inthecontext
ofcivilproceedings fortheenforcement ofintellectual property rights, forameans ofadequately
protecting confidential information inaccordance withArticles 42and43.1oftheTRIPS Agreement?
5. With respect totheinfringement ofrights asregards trademarks, industrial designs and
appellations oforigin:
(a) doBulgarian judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder aparty todesist from
infringement inaccordance withArticle 44.1oftheTRIPS Agreement; and
(b) doBulgarian judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder theinfringer topaythe
right holder damages adequate tocompensate fortheinjury inaccordance with
Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement?
6. DoBulgarian judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder thatgoods thattheyhavefound
tobeinfringing be,without compensation ofanysort,disposed ofoutside thechannels ofcommerce
ordestroyed inaccordance withArticle 46oftheTRIPS Agreement, notably inthecaseoftrademarks,
industrial designs andappellations oforigin?
Inregard tocounterfeit trademark goods, doesBulgarian legislation specify thatthesimple
removal ofthetrademark unlawfully affixed shallnotbesufficient, other thaninexceptional cases,
topermit release ofthegoods intothechannels ofcommerce (Article 46oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
7. DoBulgarian judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder thatmaterials andimplements
thepredominant useofwhich hasbeeninthecreation ofinfringing goods be,without compensation
ofanysort,disposed ofoutside thechannels ofcommerce inaccordance withArticle 46oftheTRIPS
Agreement, notably inthecaseoftrademarks, industrial designs andappellations oforigin?
8. Please explain theprocedure whereby Bulgarian authorities giveeffect totheprovisions of
Section 52oftheTrademarks andDesigns Actandexplain whether andhowsuchprocedure complies
inallrespects withtheprovisions ofSection 2oftheTRIPS Agreement.
9. Does Bulgarian lawpermit relevant judicial authorities toorder aninfringer toinform theright
holder oftheidentity ofthirdpersons involved intheproduction anddistribution ofinfringing goods
orservices andoftheirchannels ofdistribution inaccordance withArticle 47oftheTRIPS Agreement?IP/C/W/80
Page5
10. DoBulgarian judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder prompt andeffective provisional
measures toprevent aninfringement ofanyintellectual property rightfrom occurring inaccordance
withArticle 50.1(a) oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please explain.
11. DoBulgarian judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder provisional measures topreserve
relevant evidence inaudita altera parte inaccordance withArticle 50.1(b) oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Please explain.
12. Does Bulgarian lawprovide fortherights andobligations setforthinArticles 50.3, 50.5, 50.6
and50.7oftheTRIPS Agreement inrespect ofprovisional measures?
13. DoesBulgarianlawprovideforaprocedurewherebyarightholdermayapplyforthesuspension
bycustoms authorities oftherelease intofreecirculation ofgoods suspected ofbeing counterfeit
trademark orpirated copyright goods inaccordance withArticle 51oftheTRIPS Agreement? Ifso,
dosuchprocedures comply withtheprovisions ofArticles 52to57and59oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Please explain.
14. Does Bulgarian lawprovide forcriminal procedures andpenalties tobeapplied incases of
wilful trademark counterfeiting inaccordance withArticle 61oftheTRIPS Agreement?
15. Does Bulgarian lawprovide fortheseizure, forfeiture anddestruction ofinfringing goods in
thecaseofwilful trademark counterfeiting andfortheseizure, forfeiture anddestruction ofmaterials
andimplements thepredominant useofwhich hasbeeninthecommission oftheoffence inthecase
ofwilful trademark counterfeiting inaccordance withArticle 61oftheTRIPS Agreement?
16. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofBulgaria provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgment;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensionsattheborderofcounterfeittrademark,piratedcopyrightgoodsorinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied, whether theyhavebeen
executed andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofBulgaria explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);IP/C/W/80
Page6
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inBulgaria andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated.IP/C/W/80
Page7
CANADA
1. DoCanada 'sprovisions forinterlocutory (including interim) relief permit "effective action"
byholders ofapatent, trademark orcopyright interest topreserve andprotect those interests inthe
short term(Articles 41.1and50oftheTRIPS Agreement)? Isitnotaccurate tostatethattheexisting
statutory and/or common lawstandard forobtaining interlocutory relief, asinterpreted bytherelevant
Canadian courts, makes itextremely difficult forpatent owners, inparticular, toobtain provisional
measures protecting theirproperty interests? Ifthisisthecase,howdoesCanada 'sexisting lawcomply
withitsobligation toprovide remedies which are"expeditious" andwhich deterfurther infringements?
2. DoCanada 's"summary judgment" provisions provide arealistic opportunity forobtaining
anexpeditious remedy against infringement ofintellectual property rights, particularly patent rights?
Please explain (Article 41.1oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
3. Where astatutory rightofappeal isnotavailable fromanadministrative decision concerning
patent, trademark andcopyright interests (such asinthecaseoftheCopyright Board), hasCanada
failed tomeetitsobligation toprovide forreview ofanadministrative decision byajudicial authority?
Does Canada taketheposition thatitisincompliance withArticle 41.4solongas"judicial review"
isavailable, regardless oftheextent towhich suchreview iscircumscribed bystatute orjurisprudence?
4. What istheprocedure oftheFederal Court ofCanada, andthesuperior courts oftheprovinces,
toidentify andprotect confidential information? Isthereasimilar procedure forCanada 'sadministrative
decision-makers? Arethere anyrules ofpractice, orotherwise, which setoutsuchaprocedure
(Article 42oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
5. DoCanadian courts haveaspecific statutory authority toprevent theentry intothechannels
ofcommerce ofgoods which infringe patent rights, i.e.doesthePatent Actcontain provisions equivalent
toSection 53oftheTrade-marks ActorSection 44oftheCopyright Act,ormustarightholder depend
onthecourts 'general discretion toprovide injunctive relief under Section 57ofthePatent Actor
Section 18oftheFederal Court Act?Ifthelatter, canCanadian courts effectively block goods atthe
border under theexisting testforinterlocutory relief (Article 44.1oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
6. What statutory provision, orgoverning jurisprudential rule,ensures thatCanadian courts will
notprovide forrelease ofgoods uponthesimple removal ofthetrademark unlawfully affixed (absent
exceptional circumstances) (Article 46oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
7. Inwhat circumstances, ifany,doCanadian judicial officials havetheauthority toorder an
infringer ofintellectual property rights toinform therightholder oftheidentity ofthirdpersons involved
intheproduction anddistribution ofgoods andservices found tobeinfringing andoftheirchannels
ofdistribution (Article 47oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
8. Under whatstatutory provisions are"public authorities andofficials" suchasmembers ofthe
Copyright Board, theTrademark Opposition Board, orthePatented Medicine Prices Review Board
made liable foractions taken otherwise thaningoodfaith, intheiradministration ofintellectual property
laws? Does Canada interpret Article 48.1TRIPS, torequire liability ofjudicial decision-makers as
"public authorities"? Ifso,howarejudicial decision-makers liable forbadfaithactions (Article 48.2
oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
9. Given thatCanada 'sCopyright Board mayorder acivilremedy (i.e.thepayment ofatariff
ascompensation fortheinfringement ofcopyright), doestheCopyright Board 'sconstitutive Act,IP/C/W/80
Page8
regulations orrulesofprocedure comply withCanada 'sobligation toensure administrative authorities
areempowered to:
(a) identify andprotect confidential information (Article 49inconjunction withArticle 42
oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
(b) order apartytoproduce relevant evidence (Article 49inconjunction withArticle 43.1
oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
(c) order theinfringer topaydamages "adequate tocompensate fortheinjury theright
holder hassuffered" (Article 49inconjunction withArticle 45.1 oftheTRIPS
Agreement)?
(d) order theinfringer topaytherightholder 'sexpenses (Article 49inconjunction with
Article 45.2oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
(e) tograntinjunctions(Article49inconjunctionwithArticle44oftheTRIPSAgreement)?
10. Given theexisting standards forinterlocutory (including interim) relief under Canadian law,
areCanadian judicial authorities abletoorder effective provisional measures, particularly inthearea
ofpatents? How areCanadian courts obliged todiscontinue provisional measures ifprosecution of
theinfringement action isnotinitiated inanexpeditious fashion (Article 50oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
11. DoCanada 'sTrade-marks Actborder measure provisions comply withArticle 51oftheTRIPS
Agreement inthattheylimittherighttoapply foraborder measure topersons withaninterest ina
registered trademark? Please explain.
12. AreCanada 'sCopyright Actborder measure provisions inconsistent withArticle 51ofthe
TRIPS Agreement inthattheylimittheright toapply foraborder measure toowners orexclusive
licensees ofthecopyright? Please explain.
13. Inthecontext ofborder measures ofcounterfeit trademark goods, howisanimporter ’sright
tobeheard "within areasonable period" (astowhether suchasuspension should bemodified, revoked
orconfirmed) protected under Canadian law(Article 55oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
14. With regard tocases thatinvolve theinfringement ofintellectual property, could the
Government ofCanada provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgment;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensionsattheborderofcounterfeittrademark,piratedcopyrightgoodsorinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;IP/C/W/80
Page9
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied, whether theyhavebeen
executed andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofCanada explain andgivepractical examples:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inCanada andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page10
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
1. PursuanttoArticle10oftheConstitutionoftheCzechRepublic,certaininternationalconventions
which areratified andpublished intheCzech Republic inaccordance withapplicable procedures become
partofthedomestic lawoftheCzech Republic andhaveprecedence oversame. Itistheunderstanding
oftheEuropean Communities andtheirMember States thattheTRIPS Agreement belongs tothisgroup
ofinternational conventions.
TheCzech language version ofArticle 41.4oftheTRIPS Agreement states thatthejudicial
review ofinitial decisions onthemerits ofacaseshallbe"with thereservation oflegal provisions
ofaMember onjurisdiction ofitsauthorities concerning theimportance ofthecase". Thisdoesnot
correspond totheEnglish version ofthetextoftheTRIPS Agreement.
Against thisbackground, please explain theinterpretation oftheCzech Republic oftheCzech
language provisions ofArticle 41.4oftheTRIPS Agreement withrespect tojudicial review ofthe
legalaspects ofinitial judicial decisions.
2. DoCzech judicial authorities havetheauthority tocompel theproduction ofevidence bya
party ifthisisnecessary totheother party tosubstantiate itsclaims inaccordance withArticle 43.1
oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please explain.
3. DoCzech judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder that:
(a) infringing goods bedisposed ofoutside thechannels ofcommerce orbedestroyed,
without compensation; and
(b) materials andimplements thepredominant useofwhich hasbeeninthecreation of
infringinggoodsbedisposedofoutsidethechannelsofcommercewithoutcompensation;
inaccordance withArticle 46oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Furthermore, doesCzech legislation specify withregard tocounterfeit trademark goods that
thesimple removal ofthetrademark unlawfully affixed shallnotbesufficient, other thaninexceptional
cases, topermit therelease ofthegoods intochannels ofcommerce (Article 46oftheTRIPS
Agreement)? Please explain.
4. DoCzech judicial authorities havetheauthority toorder provisional measures topreserve
relevant evidence inregard toanalleged infringement inaccordance withArticle 50.1(b) oftheTRIPS
Agreement? Please explain.
5. DoesCzech lawrequire thatprovisional measures berevoked orotherwise cease tohaveeffect,
attherequest ofthedefendant, ifproceedings arenotinitiated within areasonable period inaccordance
withArticle 50.6oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please explain.
6. Inthecaseoftheimportation ofgoods suspected tobepirated copyright goods, dothelaws
oftheCzech Republic provide forthefollowing:
(i) anobligation ontherightholder toprovide adequate evidence tosatisfy thecompetent
authorities thatthere isprima facieaninfringement inaccordance withArticle 52of
theTRIPS Agreement;IP/C/W/80
Page11
(ii) theauthority ofcompetent authorities torequire anapplicant toprovide security or
equivalent assurance inaccordance withArticle 53.1oftheTRIPS Agreement;
(iii) anobligation oncompetent authorities toprovide theimporter andtheapplicant with
prompt notice ofthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods inaccordance withArticle 54
oftheTRIPS Agreement;
(iv) therelease ofgoods intheevent thatproceedings leading toadecision onthemerits
ofthecaseorproceedings prolonging thesuspension havenotbeeninitiated ortaken
inaccordance withArticle 55oftheTRIPS Agreement;
(v) theauthority ofcompetent authorities toorder theapplicant topaytheimporter, the
consignee andtheowner ofthegoods appropriate compensation forinjury caused
through thewrongful detention ofgoods orthrough thedetention ofgoods released
pursuant toArticle 55oftheTRIPS Agreement, inconjunction withArticle 56ofthe
TRIPS Agreement;
(vi) theauthority ofcompetent authorities togivetheright holder andtheimporter an
opportunity toinspect thedetained goods inaccordance withArticle 57oftheTRIPS
Agreement?
7. Inthecaseoftheimportation ofgoods suspected ofbeing counterfeit trademark goods, do
thelawsoftheCzech Republic provide fortherights andobligations setforth inArticles 52to59
oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please explain indetail.
8. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
oftheCzech Republic provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgment;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensionsattheborderofcounterfeittrademark,piratedcopyrightgoodsorinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied, whether theyhavebeen
executed andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation criminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment oftheCzech Republic explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);IP/C/W/80
Page12
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
intheCzech Republic andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page13
HUNGARY
1. Hungariancourtstypicallyawardquitemodestdamagestosuccessfulplaintiffsincasesinvolving
intellectual property rights. Given thispractice, please explain howHungary complies withArticle 45.1
oftheTRIPS Agreement ("...adequate tocompensate fortheinjury...") and41.1 oftheTRIPS
Agreement ("...remedies which constitute adeterrent tofurther infringements").
2. Please clarify:
(a) howlongthecivilprocedures forenforcing anintellectual property rightwilltakeunder
current courtpractice inHungary (from initiation oftheprocedure through theissuance
ofajudgement bythecourt offirstinstance);
(b) whatwould beregarded astheaverage length oftimeinvolved inthedisposition of
acriminal caseinvolving IPRinfringements;
(c) whether, asaresult, Hungarian lawimplements Article 41.2oftheTRIPS Agreement,
which states thatenforcement procedures shallnotentail unwarranted delays.
3. Inpractice, theexpenses awarded toasuccessful complainant inacivilenforcement action
aresignificantlylessthantheparty’sactualexpenses.Inaddition,thecourtshaveadiscretiontoestablish
therateofattorneys ’feesawarded. Thelevelofsuchfeesvaries toagreat extent. Inlightofthis
practice, please explain howHungarian lawcomplies withArticle 45.2oftheTRIPS Agreement.
4. PleaseexplainhowHungarycomplieswithArticle48.1oftheTRIPSAgreement,whichprovides
that"judicial authorities shallhavetheauthority toorder aparty atwhose request measures weretaken
andwhohasabused enforcement procedures toprovide toaparty wrongfully enjoined orrestrained
adequate compensation fortheinjury suffered because ofsuchabuse".
5. Please explain howHungary complies withtherequirement ofArticle 50.1oftheTRIPS
Agreement toprovide "prompt andeffective" provisional measures.
6. Please explain whether Hungary provides procedures forthesuspension ofrelease bycustoms
authoritiesofsuspectedcounterfeittrademarkgoodsorpiratedcopyrightgoodsasrequiredbyArticles51
to60oftheTRIPS Agreement.
7. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofHungary provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensionsattheborderofcounterfeittrademark,piratedcopyrightgoodsorinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;IP/C/W/80
Page14
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofHungary explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inHungary andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page15
JAPAN
1. CouldtheGovernmentofJapanpleaseclarifythefollowing.Whatistheprevailinginterpretation
of"technical andbusiness secrets" inArticle 281oftheJapanese Code ofCivil Procedure bycourts
andlegaldoctrine inJapan? Does iteffectively prevent thatanytypeofconfidential information would
berequired tobesubmitted byaparty tocivilproceedings against thatparty’swill? Ifso,could the
Government ofJapan please explain howandonwhatlegalbasissuchconfidential information would
beprotected (Article 43.1oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
2. Please explain theprocedure andthelegalbasis pursuant towhich aJapanese court hasthe
authority tograntaninjunction preventing theentry intothechannels ofcommerce inJapan ofimported
goods thatinvolve theinfringement ofanintellectual property right, immediately aftercustoms clearance
ofsuchgoods (Article 44.1oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
3. Please explain how, inpractice, Japanese legislation implements Article 45.1oftheTRIPS
Agreement withrespect totheobligation thatdamages oftheright holder fortheinjury he/she has
suffered should becompensated adequately.
4. InorderingthetypeofremediesdescribedinArticle46oftheTRIPSAgreement,willaJapanese
court takeintoaccount theneedforproportionality between theseriousness oftheinfringement and
theremedies ordered aswellastheinterests ofthirdparties? Please explain howandonwhatlegal
basis thisisdone(Article 46oftheTRIPS Agreement).
5. Isitthecasethatpursuant totheJapanese Trademark Lawitwould besufficient, withregard
tocounterfeit trademark goods, toremove thetrademark unlawfully affixed topermit release ofthe
goods intothechannels ofcommerce inJapan? Please explain (Article 46oftheTRIPS Agreement).
6. Inwhat circumstances would anofficial beheldpersonally liable toappropriate remedial
measures foractions taken intheadministration ofanylawpertaining totheprotection orenforcement
ofintellectual property rights? Would apublic authority beliable toappropriate remedial measures
incircumstances other thantheillegal exercise ofpublic power, e.g.where anofficial hasacted
negligently? Ifso,please explain theconditions andthelegalbasis forsuchliability (Article 48of
theTRIPS Agreement).
7. Aretherespecific rulesinJapanese lawaimed atpreventing, asaprovisional measure against
infringement, theentry intothechannels ofcommerce ofimported goods immediately aftercustoms
clearance? Intheabsence ofsuchrules, please explain howsuchentry isprevented inpractice
(Article 50.1oftheTRIPS Agreement).
8. Could theGovernment ofJapan please clarify when anotice ofanorder forapreliminary
injunction inaudita altera parte mustbeserved ontheparties affected andwhatthelegalbasis isfor
thisrequirement (Article 50.4oftheTRIPS Agreement).
9. Please explain theprocedure andthelegalbasis pursuant towhich aprovisional measure to
preserve relevant evidence inregard toanalleged infringement, asreferred toinArticle 50.1(b) of
theTRIPS Agreement, shall, attherequest ofthedefendant, berevoked orotherwise cease tohave
effect, ifproceedings leading toadecision onthemerits ofthecasearenotinitiated within areasonable
period (Article 50.6oftheTRIPS Agreement).
10. Could theGovernment ofJapan please clarify whether there exists anyperiod within which
customs authorities should inform arightholder whohaslodged anapplication forthesuspension ofIP/C/W/80
Page16
release bycustoms authorities ofinfringing goods, incases theyhaveaccepted theapplication and,
ifso,whatisthelegalbasis forthisobligation (Article 52oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
11. Istherearequirement under Japanese lawthattheimporter andtheapplicant shallbepromptly
notified ofthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods pursuant toArticle 51oftheTRIPS Agreement and,
ifso,whatisthelegalbasis? Please explain (Article 54oftheTRIPS Agreement).
12. Please explain theprocedure andthelegal basis pursuant towhich Japan hasimplemented
Article 55oftheTRIPS Agreement.
13. Please explain which measures areavailable inJapanese lawtoensure thatanyinspection of
goods detained bycustoms authorities pursuant toSection 21bis, §4oftheJapanese Customs Tariff
Lawiswithout prejudice totheprotection ofconfidential information (Article 57oftheTRIPS
Agreement).
14. Article 58oftheTRIPS Agreement laysdown theconditions thatneedtobefulfilled where
competent authorities actupon theirowninitiative insuspending therelease ofallegedly infringing
goods. With regard tothis"exofficio action" please clarify thefollowing issues:
- Isthere arequirement under Japanese lawthattheimporter andtheapplicant shall
bepromptly notified ofthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods pursuant toArticle 58(b)
oftheTRIPS Agreement and,ifso,whatisthelegalbasis? Please explain.
- Please explain theprocedure andthelegal basis pursuant towhich Japan has
implemented Article 55oftheTRIPS Agreement inconjunction withArticle 58(b)
oftheTRIPS Agreement.
- Inwhatcircumstanceswouldanofficialbeheldpersonallyliabletoappropriateremedial
measures foractions taken intheadministration ofanylawpertaining totheprotection
orenforcement ofintellectual property rights? Would apublic authority beliable to
appropriate remedial measures incircumstances otherthantheillegal exercise ofpublic
power, e.g.where anofficial hasactednegligently? Ifso,please explain theconditions
andthelegalbasis forsuchliability (Article 58(c) oftheTRIPS Agreement).
15. InorderingthetypeofremediesdescribedinArticle59oftheTRIPSAgreement,willaJapanese
court takeintoaccount theneedforproportionality between theseriousness oftheinfringement and
theremedies ordered aswellastheinterests ofthirdparties? Please explain howandonwhatlegal
basis thisisdone.
16. Please explain theprocedure andthelegalbasispursuant towhich counterfeit trademark goods
shallnotbeallowed tobere-exported inanunaltered stateorbesubjected toadifferent customs
procedure, other thaninexceptional circumstances (Article 59oftheTRIPS Agreement).
17. Areimports ofanon-commercial nature excluded fromtheapplication oftheborder measures
setoutinPartIII,Section 4oftheTRIPS Agreement, asimplemented bytheJapanese Customs Tariff
Law, irrespective ofthenumber ofgoods involved andtheirmanner ofimportation (Article 60ofthe
TRIPS Agreement)?IP/C/W/80
Page17
18. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofJapan provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofJapan explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inJapan andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page18
NEW ZEALAND
1. Isitcorrect thatunder NewZealand lawthesimple removal ofanunlawfully affixed trademark
isgenerally sufficient topermit therelease ofthegoods concerned intothechannels ofcommerce in
NewZealand (Article 46oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
2. Isconfidential information inthecontext ofaninspection pursuant toArticle 57oftheTRIPS
Agreement afforded protection under NewZealand lawand,ifso,onwhat basis? Please explain
(Article 57oftheTRIPS Agreement).
3. Would aNewZealand court orcustoms authority allow counterfeit trademark goods tobe
re-exported inanunaltered stateorbesubjected toadifferent customs procedure, having regard to
Section 142(b) oftheCopyright Act1953andRegulation 7(2)oftheTrade Marks (Border Protection
andTransitional Applications) Regulations 1994 (Article 59oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
4. Forthepurposes ofthisreview, theEuropean Communities andtheirMember States relied
upon theprovisions of,interalia,theNewZealand Geographical Indications Act1994. However,
although theActhasbeenadopted, itisstilltobebrought intoforce bytheGovernor-General byOrder
inCouncil. Could theGovernment ofNewZealand clarify when theGeographical Indications Act1994
isexpected tocome intoforce?
5. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofNewZealand provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgment;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensionsattheborderofcounterfeittrademark,piratedcopyrightgoodsorinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofNewZealand explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;IP/C/W/80
Page19
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inNewZealand andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page20
NORWAY
1. AccordingtoArticle45oftheTRIPSAgreement,Membersmay"inappropriatecases"authorise
thejudicial authorities toorder recovery ofprofits and/or payment ofpre-established damages even
wheretheinfringerdidnotknowingly,orwithreasonablegroundstoknow,engageininfringingactivity.
TheCopyright Act,theTrademarks Act,theDesigns Act,thePatents ActandtheActRelating
toPlant Breeders 'Rights givetherightholder theabove-explained rights whereas theMarketing Act
andtheLayout-Designs Actdonotgivesuchrighttotheright holder. Does thismean, thatinthe
latter caseno"appropriate cases" areassumed? Could theGovernment ofNorway explain thereason
forthisdifference among thequoted laws?
2. Could theGovernment ofNorway clarify howitimplements Article 46oftheTRIPS Agreement
incases ofgoods where illegal geographical indications forwines andspirits areused?
3. Under Article 50.1(b) oftheTRIPS Agreement, thejudicial authorities shallhavetheauthority
toorder provisional measures topreserve relevant evidence inregard tothealleged infringement. Could
theGovernment ofNorway please clarify whether Section 15-2oftheEnforcement ofClaims Actgives
thecourts sucharight? Please clarify.
4. Could theGovernment ofNorway explain howitimplements Article 50.6oftheTRIPS
Agreement, which provides thatprovisional measures mayberevoked orcease tohaveeffect upon
request bythedefendant, ifproceedings leading toadecision onthemerits ofthecasearenotinitiated
within areasonable period determined bythecourt, or,intheabsence ofsuchdetermination, notto
exceed 20working daysor31calendar days, whichever isthelonger.
5. According toArticle 53.1oftheTRIPS Agreement, thecompetent authorities shallhavethe
authority torequire anapplicant toprovide asecurity orequivalent assurances sufficient toprotect
thedefendant andthecompetent authorities andtoprevent abuse. Under Norwegian law,thecourts
willonlyhavetheauthority torequire theclaimant toprovide security orequivalent assurance toprotect
thedefendant .Please explain thereasons whyNorwegian lawdoesnotprovide forarighttorequest
thattheclaimant shallprovide security orequivalent assurance alsotoprotect thecompetent authorities .
6. According toArticle 59oftheTRIPS Agreement, theauthorities shall not,inregard to
counterfeit trademark goods, allow there-exportation oftheinfringing goods inanunaltered state,
other thaninexceptional circumstances. Itistheunderstanding oftheEuropean Communities and
theirMember States thatthisprovision isnotimplemented inthenewprovisions oftheNorwegian
CustomsActandtheNorwegianEnforcementofClaimsActrelatingtobordermeasures.Pleaseexplain.
7. AccordingtoArticle61oftheTRIPSAgreement,Membersshallprovideforremedies"sufficient
toprovide adeterrent, consistently withthelevelofpenalties applied forcrimes ofacorresponding
gravity". Itistheunderstanding oftheEuropean Communities andtheirMember States that,under
Norwegian law,penalties forinfringing intellectual property rights, except incasesofserious copyright
infringement (imprisonment upto3years), arefinesorimprisonment forupto3months. Inlight
ofthis,could theGovernment ofNorway clarify:
(a) whythepenalties for(serious) infringement oftrademarks, designs, patents andplant
breeders'rights,aresignificantlymorelenientthanthepenaltiesforseriousinfringement
ofcopyright protected works;
(b) whether andhowthisdifference intreatment complies withNorway 'sobligations under
theTRIPS Agreement; andIP/C/W/80
Page21
(c) whether itisNorway ’sintention tomake thepenalties for(serious) infringement of
trademarks, patents, designs andplantbreeders 'rights more strict. Ifthisisthecase,
whatisthetimetable?
8. According toArticle 61oftheTRIPS Agreement, available remedies shall, among other, in
appropriate cases ofwilful trademark counterfeiting, alsoinclude theseizure, forfeiture anddestruction
oftheinfringing goods andofanymaterials andimplements thepredominant useofwhich hasbeen
inthecommission oftheoffence. Could theGovernment ofNorway clarify whether suchapossibility
isgranted under theTrademarks Act? Ifno,howdoesNorway comply withArticle 61oftheTRIPS
Agreement?
9. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofNorway provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofNorway explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inNorway andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page22
POLAND
1. Considering thetime-consuming andcostly nature ofcivilcourt proceedings inPoland, please
clarify whether Polish civilprocedures comply withtherequirements ofArticle 41.2oftheTRIPS
Agreement, which provides thatenforcement procedures shallnotbeunnecessarily complicated or
costly, orentail unreasonable time-limits orunwarranted delays.
2. Please explain howPolish lawcomplies withtherequirements ofArticles 42and43ofthe
TRIPS Agreement, which require thatenforcement procedures provide ameans toprotect confidential
information obtained during thecourse ofproceedings.
3. Please explain indetail howtheCustoms Code of9January 1997 willcomply withPartIII,
Section 4oftheTRIPS Agreement relating toborder measures.
4. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofPoland provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiled, including theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofPoland explain andgivepractical examples:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inPoland andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page23
THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
1. Under theConstitution oftheSlovak Republic international conventions which areratified
andpublished intheSlovak Republic inaccordance withapplicable procedures become partofthe
domestic lawoftheSlovak Republic andhaveprecedence oversametotheextent ofanycontradiction.
SuchratifiedandpublishedinternationalconventionsmaythereforebesaidtosupplementSlovakdomestic
lawincases where there isnocontradiction between thetwo. Itistheunderstanding oftheEuropean
Communities andtheirMember States thattheTRIPS Agreement hasnotyetbeenofficially published
intheSlovak Republic inaccordance withrelevant constitutional requirements. Please explain.
2. What isthestatus oftherecodification bytheSlovak Republic ofLawNo.99/1963 onCivil
Procedures (hereinafter referred toasthe"Slovak Code ofCivilProcedure") andofLawNo.392/1992
onCriminal Law? How doesthenewlegislation implement PartIIIoftheTRIPS Agreement?
3. Aretheenforcement procedures asspecified intheTRIPS Agreement available under thelaws
oftheSlovak Republic soastopermit effective action without unwarranted delays inaccordance with
Articles 41.1and41.2oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please explain.
4. Please explain whether andhowSlovak lawpermits relevant judicial authorities tocompel
theproduction ofevidence byanopposing party, subject toconditions which ensure theprotection
ofconfidential information inappropriate cases, inaccordance withArticle 43.1 oftheTRIPS
Agreement?
Ifthisisnotthecase, doestheGovernment oftheSlovak Republic intend toinclude sucha
provision intherecodification oftheSlovak Code ofCivil Procedure?
5. Please explain whether andhowSlovak lawpermits relevant judicial authorities tomake
preliminary andfinaldeterminations onthebasis ofinformation presented tothem incases where a
partytoaproceeding voluntarily andwithout goodreason refuses access toorotherwise doesnotprovide
necessary information orsignificantly impedes aprocedure relating toanenforcement action in
accordance withArticle 43.2oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Ifthisisnotthecase, doestheGovernment oftheSlovak Republic intend toinclude sucha
provision intherecodification oftheSlovak Code ofCivil Procedure?
6. Please explain whether andhowSlovak lawpermits relevant judicial authorities toorder the
disposal outside thechannels ofcommerce, without compensation ofanysort,of:
(a) goods thattheyhavefound tobeinfringing; and/or
(b) materials andimplements thepredominant useofwhich hasbeeninthecreation of
theinfringing goods,
inaccordance withArticle 46oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Please alsoexplain whether andhowSlovak lawpermits relevant judicial authorities toorder
thedestruction ofinfringing goods inaccordance withArticle 46oftheTRIPS Agreement? Ifthis
isnotthecase, doestheGovernment oftheSlovak Republic intend toinclude suchaprovision inthe
recodification oftheSlovak Code ofCivil Procedure?IP/C/W/80
Page24
7. Please explain whether Slovak lawpermits relevant judicial authorities toorder aninfringer
toinform therightholder oftheidentity ofthirdpersons involved intheproduction anddistribution
ofinfringing goods orservices andoftheirchannels ofdistribution inaccordance withArticle 47of
theTRIPS Agreement? Ifthisisnotthecase,willthistypeofprovision beincluded intherecodification
oftheSlovak Code ofCivil Procedure?
8. Does Slovak lawprovide foraprocedure whereby arightholder mayapply forthesuspension
bycustoms authorities oftherelease intofreecirculation ofgoods suspected ofbeing counterfeit
trademark orpirated copyright goods inaccordance withArticle 51oftheTRIPS Agreement? Ifso,
dosuchprocedures comply withtheprovisions ofArticles 52to57and59oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Please explain.
9. Does Slovak lawrequire competent authorities toactupontheirowninitiative andtosuspend
therelease ofgoods inaccordance withArticle 58oftheTRIPS Agreement? Ifso,doesSlovak law
alsocomply withtheprovisions ofArticle 58,paragraphs (a)to(c)oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please
explain.
10. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
oftheSlovak Republic provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment oftheSlovak Republic explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
intheSlovak Republic andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page25
SLOVENIA
1. What isthetypical length oftimenecessary toenforce therespective intellectual property rights
inSlovenia? Should delays occur, whatarethereasons (Article 41.2oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
2. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofSlovenia provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofSlovenia explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inSlovenia andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?
3. Could theGovernment ofSlovenia clarify whether arightholder hasthepossibility toapply
forprovisional measures withthejudicial authorities and,iffounded, could suchmeasures beadopted
inaudita altera parte?
4. What border measures areinplace orplanned tocomply withSlovenia ’sobligations under
Articles 51to60oftheTRIPS Agreement?
5. Please explain whether and,ifso,howenforcement rulesdiffer between copyright andindustrial
property? Ifso,whatarethereasons? Arethere anyplans toharmonise enforcement provisions?IP/C/W/80
Page26
SOUTH AFRICA
1. Interms ofArticle 41oftheTRIPS Agreement, Members areobliged toensure:
(a) thatenforcement procedures areavailable under theirlawssoastopermit effective
action against anyactofinfringement ofintellectual property rights; and
(b) thatsuchprocedures include expeditious remedies; butprovided
(c) thatsuchprocedures provide safeguards against abuse.
Thus,inrelationto(c)inparticular,safeguardsarebuiltintotheproceduralobligationsspecified
intheTRIPS Agreement. Forexample, Article 41.4provides thatparties toproceedings shallhave
anopportunity forreview byajudicial authority ofatleastthelegalaspects ofinitial judicial decisions
onthemerits ofacase. Itistheunderstanding oftheEuropean Communities andtheirMember States
thataninterlocutory injunction (or,asitisknown inSouth African law,atemporary interdict) ordered
bytheHigh Court isneither reviewable norappealable.
- Isourunderstanding ofthecurrent legal position inSouth Africa correct? Please
explain.
- Ifso,andintheabsence thenoftheopportunity ofareview oranappeal, what
safeguards arebuiltintotheprocedures available against theabuse byanapplicant
ofproceedings foratemporary interdict?
2. Itistheunderstanding oftheEuropean Communities andtheirMember States thatanumber
ofdecisions bytheRegistrar ofTrade Marks arecurrently outstanding formore thanayearsincethey
wereargued before theRegistrar. Howdoesthiscomply withArticle 41.3oftheTRIPS Agreement?
3. Article 45oftheTRIPS Agreement provides thatjudicial authorities havetheauthority toorder
theinfringer topaytherightholder ’sexpenses. Bythesame token, butinopposite circumstances,
Article 48oftheTRIPS Agreement provides thatthejudicial authorities shallhavetheauthority to
order theapplicant topaythedefendant ’sexpenses. Inbothcases these expenses mayinclude
"appropriate attorney ’sfees".
Could theGovernment ofSouth Africa please clarify whether "expenses" would comprise the
actual expenses ofthevictorious party (such ascounsel ’sandexpert ’sfees,travel, accommodation
andthelike)? Please explain.
4. Wearegiven tounderstand that,inanaction fortheinfringement ofaSouth African intellectual
property right, thediscovery ofdocuments bytheopposing parties islimited to"documents andtape
recordings relating toanymatter inquestion insuchaction".
Does thismean thatajudicial authority presiding intheaction would not,intheusual case,
havetheauthority toorder theinfringer toinform therightholder oftheidentity ofthirdparties involved
intheproduction anddistribution oftheinfringing goods orservices andtheirchannels ofdistribution
(Article 47oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
5. TheAppellate Division oftheSupreme Court ofSouth Africa (now theSupreme Court of
Appeal) recently laiddown, inclearandsuccinct terms, whatanapplicant foranAnton Piller order
hastoestablish. Thismayfairly bereferred toas"acommon lawAnton Piller order". IntheIP/C/W/80
Page27
Counterfeit Goods Bill,which iscurrently passing through theSouth African parliamentary process,
relatively elaborate provisions aremade forthegrant ofanAnton Piller order. This, inturn, may
fairly betermed "astatutory Anton Piller order".
Could theGovernment ofSouth Africa clarify thefollowing points:
- Inthelightoftheavailability ofacommon lawAnton Piller order whatistheneed
forastatutory Anton Piller order?
- Since therequirements toobtain acommon lawAnton Piller order appear tobeless
stringent thanastatutory Anton Piller order, would notanapplicant intheusual case
make anapplication foracommon lawAnton Piller order (andnotastatutory Anton
Piller order)?
- DotherequirementsofacommonlawAntonPillerorderandthe"statutoryAntonPiller
Order" comply withArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement? Please explain.
6. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofSouth Africa provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofSouth Africa explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inSouth Africa andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page28
SWITZERLAND
1. Dothe26Swiss cantonal codes ofcivilprocedure and/or codes ofjudicial organisation provide,
according toArticle 42oftheTRIPS Agreement, means toidentify andprotect confidential information
ofaparty intending, inorder tosubstantiate itsclaim, tosubmit suchconfidential information toa
judicial authority?
2. DoArticle 63oftheSwiss ActontheProtection ofCopyrights andArticle 57oftheSwiss
ActontheProtection ofTrademarks, inaccordance withArticle 46oftheTRIPS Agreement, empower
thejudicial authorities todispose ofthematerials andtheimplements which arepredominantly used
toproduce theinfringing goods?
3. DoArticle 65oftheSwiss ActontheProtection ofCopyright, Article 59oftheSwiss Act
ontheProtection ofTrademarks, Article 28oftheSwiss ActontheProtection ofIndustrial Designs
andArticle 77oftheSwiss ActontheProtection ofPatents givetoarightholder andinthelightof
thejudgement oftheFederal Supreme Court, dated 14December 1988 (ATF 114II435), thesame
scope ofprotection withrespect toprovisional measures asstated inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement?
4. Dothe26cantonal codes ofcivilprocedure empower thejudicial authorities, according to
Article 50.7oftheTRIPS Agreement, toorder theapplicant uponrequest ofthedefendant, toprovide
tothedefendant anappropriate compensation foranyinjury caused byprovisional measures?
5. Dothe26cantonalCodesofCivilProcedure,accordingtoArticle50.2oftheTRIPSAgreement,
enable judicial authorities toadopt measures inaudita altera parte?
6. DoArticle 70oftheSwiss ActonProtection ofTrademarks andArticle 76oftheSwiss Act
onProtection ofCopyright, according toArticle 51oftheTRIPS Agreement, alsoenable alicensee
oftheowner oftheright tolodge anapplication inwriting withthecompetent authorities forthe
suspension bythecustoms authorities oftherelease intofreecirculation ofsuchgoods?
7. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
ofSwitzerland provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.IP/C/W/80
Page29
Furthermore, could theGovernment ofSwitzerland explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
inSwitzerland andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?IP/C/W/80
Page30
THE UNITED STATES OFAMERICA
1. TheUnited States 'response toitemeightintheChecklist ofIssues onEnforcement states that
"theUnited States Government isnotinaposition toprovide dataontheactual duration orcostof
proceedings concerned withtheenforcement ofintellectual property rights." Publicly available data,
however, indicates thatanenforcement action intheUnited States federal courts typically requires
several years toreach afinaljudgement andthatthecosts ofsuchactions, including attorneys ’fees,
often reach US$1million ormore. Inlightofthisinformation, please explain howtheUnited States
Government ensures compliance withtherequirements ofArticle 41.2oftheTRIPS Agreement.
2. Under theAmerican Rule, theclaimant anddefendant inaproceeding toenforce intellectual
property rights generally mustbeartheirownattorneys ’fees. Inmany cases, attorneys ’feescanexceed
thepotential damages forinfringement. Asaresult, theAmerican Ruleactsasadeterrent against
pursuing acivilenforcement action, except incases involving significant damages. Please explain
howtheUnited States complies withtherequirement ofArticle 41.1oftheTRIPS Agreement that
"Members shallensure thatenforcement procedures asspecified inthisPartareavailable under their
lawsoastopermit effective action against anyactofinfringement ofintellectual property rights covered
bythisAgreement".
3. Given thefactthatthequality oftheUnited States Patent andTrademark Office ’sexamination
procedures iscompromised byscarce resources andlargevolumes ofpatent applications, andthatthere
isnoprovision forindependent re-examination ofapatent, aUnited States patent mayissue without
undergoing arigorous examination toensure validity. Nevertheless, anypatent issued bythePatent
Office isentitled toapresumption ofvalidity inanysubsequent enforcement action, andinvalidity
must beshown by"clear andconvincing" evidence. Please explain howapplying thepresumption
ofvalidity andahighevidentiary standard inthese circumstances complies withtherequirement of
Article41.2oftheTRIPSAgreementthatproceduresconcerningtheenforcementofintellectualproperty
rights shallbe"fairandequitable".
4. Pursuantto19U.S.C.§1526,UnitedStatescourtshavetheauthoritytoorderseizure,forfeiture
anddestruction ofimported goods bearing acounterfeit American trademark owned byanAmerican
entity. Thestatute doesnotprovide similar authority forgoods bearing acounterfeit trademark owned
byaforeign citizen orcorporation.
Please explain howthisprovision complies withArticle 46oftheTRIPS Agreement, which
requires thatjudicial authorities havetheauthority toorder disposition ordestruction ofinfringing
goods. Inaddition, please explain howthisprovision complies withArticle 3oftheTRIPS Agreement.
5. TheUnited States 'response toitem16oftheChecklist ofIssues onEnforcement states that
United States Customs regulations "have beenamended toprovide ‘adhoc’application contemplated
inArticle 51". Thecited United States regulations, however, provide forexofficio action bythe
United States Customs Service based onrecordation ofacopyright ortrademark. There isnoexpress
provision foranapplication bytherightholder tosuspend imports ofspecific counterfeit trademark
orpirated copyright goods asrequired byArticle 51oftheTRIPS Agreement. Inaddition, please
explain thestatus ofUnited States 'plans toadopt theregulations referenced intheresponse toitem16
andexplain howtheresulting procedures willcomply withtherequirements ofArticles 52to60.
6. Please explain howtheprocedures forExOfficio Action inrelation toborder measures comply
withtherequirements ofArticle 55oftheTRIPS Agreement, which areincorporated byreference
inArticle 58.IP/C/W/80
Page31
7. Withregardtocasesthatinvolvetheinfringementofintellectualproperty,couldtheGovernment
oftheUnited States provide dataonthenumber of:
- lawsuitsthathavebeenfiledincluding theirrespective outcome andtheaverage length
from thefiling ofacomplaint untilthefinaljudgement;
- injunctions thathavebeenissued (asdefined inArticle 44oftheTRIPS Agreement)
andexplain howsuchinjunctions arebeing enforced;
- provisional measures (asdefined inArticle 50oftheTRIPS Agreement) thathavebeen
granted andtheaverage length toobtain suchmeasures (from therequest);
- suspensions attheborder ofcounterfeit trademark/pirated copyright goods orinrelation
togoods where other intellectual property rights areinfringed;
- criminal cases including thesentences thathavebeenapplied; whether theyhavebeen
executed; andplease alsoexplain whatkindofinfringement ofanintellectual property
rightwould beregarded asaviolation ofcriminal law;
- seizures and/or destruction ofcounterfeit trademark andpirated copyright goods.
Furthermore, could theGovernment oftheUnited States explain andgivepractical examples of:
- howthecompensation fordamages oftheinfringement ofintellectual property rights
iscalculated (Article 45.1oftheTRIPS Agreement);
- whatwould beregarded as"expenses oftherightholder" which havetobereimbursed
pursuant toArticle 45.2, firsthalfofthefirstsentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement and
howtheywould becalculated;
- whether attorney ’sfeescanbereimbursed andhowsuchfeeswould becalculated;
- whether Article 45.2, second sentence, oftheTRIPS Agreement hasbeenimplemented
intheUnited States andhowsuch"damages" would becalculated?
8. Section 337oftheUnited States Tariff Act,asamended, gives United States 'rightholders
thepossibility torequest theUnited States International Trade Commission todeclare unlawful, under
certain conditions, theimportation orsaleofarticles thatinfringe validUnited States 'patents, registered
trademarks, registered copyrights orregistered mask works ofasemiconductor chipproduct. Please
explain whythisprocedure islimited toforeign goods andnotextended todomestic products. Against
thisbackground, please alsoexplain howsuchlegislation complies withtheUnited States 'obligations
under therelevant WTO Agreements.