WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
30April 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-1879)
Original: French Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Replies byBelgium
Revision
Bymeans ofacommunication fromthePermanent Mission ofBelgium, dated 17March 1997,
Belgium hassubmitted theattached responses totheChecklist ofIssues onEnforcement
(document IP/C/5), which replaces andcomplements theresponses submitted earlier anddistributed
indocument IP/N/6/BEL/1.
1Document IP/C/5.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page2
I. CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND REMEDIES
A. Civil andadministrative procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRs
(a) General rules
1. Material jurisdiction
TheJustice ofthePeace hasjurisdiction inrespect ofalllegalactions involving anamount
notexceeding BF75,000 (Article 590,Judicial Code, JC). Itrules inthelastinstance concerning
actions involving anamount notexceeding BF50,000 (Article 617JC).When theamount oftheaction
isnotspecified, theplaintiff maychoose between theJustice ofthePeace ontheonehand, andthe
commercial court orthecourt offirstinstance ontheother, depending onthecase. Nevertheless,
ifattherequest ofthedefendant theJustice ofthePeace estimates thevalue oftheaction tobeclearly
inexcess oftheamount corresponding tohisjurisdiction, heshallreferthecasetothecourt offirst
instance ortothecommercial court (Article 592.3 JC).
Byvirtue ofthissame article, thecourt mayreferthecasetotheJustice ofthePeace atthe
request ofthedefendant, iftheamount involved intheaction doesnotexceed thatfalling within the
latter'scompetence.
Thecourt offirstinstance hasjurisdiction totryallactions excepting those devolving directly
upon theCourt ofAppeal andtheCourt ofCassation (Article 568JC). Thecourt offirstinstance
hasgeneral jurisdiction, which means thatallactions notfalling within thespecific jurisdiction ofother
courts shallbebought before it.
Thecommercial court shallexercise jurisdiction infirstinstance (Article 573JC)inrespect
of:
- Disputes between businessmen overactsdeemed tobecommercial bythelawandwhich
donotfallwithin thegeneral jurisdiction ofJustices ofthePeace orthejurisdiction
ofthecourts.
Disputes concerning anactdeemed tobecommercial bythelawandwhich doesnotfallwithin
thegeneral jurisdiction ofJustices ofthePeace mayalsobebrought before thecommercial court even
iftheplaintiff isnotabusinessman. Inthisconnection, alljurisdiction clauses predating theemergence
ofthedispute areautomatically void.
2. Local jurisdiction
Apart from cases where thelawespecially designates thejudge having jurisdiction totrya
matter, itmay, atthechoice oftheplaintiff, bebrought before (Article 624JC):
1. Thejudge oftheplace ofthedomicile ofthedefendant oroneofthedefendants;
2. thejudge oftheplace where theobligations indispute oranyoneofthem originated
orwhere theyarebeing, havebeenorought tobeperformed;
3. thejudge ofthedomicile elected fortheperformance oftheact;IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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4. thejudge oftheplace where theprocess server hasspoken tothedefendant inperson
ifneither thelatter nor,ifappropriate, anyofthedefendants isdomiciled inBelgium
orabroad.
Intheabsence ofspecific rulesconcerning material andlocaljurisdiction forcertain intellectual
property rights, thegeneral rules shallapply.
(b) Specific rules
1. Copyright andneighbouring rights
TheJustice ofthePeace shalltrycopyright cases where theamount involved doesnotexceed
BF75,000 (Article 590JC).
Thecourt offirstinstance shall trycopyright cases where theamount exceeds BF75,000
(Article 569.7).
Incopyright infringement cases, Article 627oftheJCenvisages exclusive jurisdiction forthe
judge intheplace where theinfringement occurs (Article 627.5 JC).
Thelawof30June19942concerning copyright andneighbouring rights provides forthe
possibility ofanaction forsuspension.
Article 87.1oftheaforementioned lawof30June1994 envisages thatthepresident ofthe
court offirstinstance ofthedistrict where theinfringement takesplace shallhaveexclusive competence
toorder suspension measures.
Thelawof30June1994 transposing toBelgian lawtheEuropean Directive of14May1991
onthelegalprotection ofcomputer programs envisages:
- Thatcourts offirstinstance shall trycases concerning theapplication ofthislaw
regardless oftheamount ofmoney atstake (Article 13.1; Article 569.24 JC);
- fortheactions covered inArticle 13.1, exclusive jurisdiction ofthecourt convening
attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal within whose jurisdiction theinfringement occurs
or,iftheplaintiff sochooses, thecourt convening attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal
inwhosejurisdictionthedefendantoroneofthedefendantshashisdomicileorresidence
(Article 13.2; 627.13 JC).
2. Trademarks
Seegeneral rules.
Inpractice, disputes willinmostcases bebrought automatically before thecommercial court
ifthedefendant ordefendants arebusinessmen.
Itshould bepointed out,however, thatonlythecourt offirstinstance inBrussels triescases
concerning theannulment ofcollective trademarks (Article 569.8 andArticle 569,infine,oftheJC).
2Moniteur Belge of27July1994.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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Article 37,A,ofthelawof19March 1962ontrademarks provides that,except fortheexpress
contractual assignment oflocal jurisdiction, itshallbedetermined, inregard totrademarks, bythe
domicile ofthedefendant orbytheplace where thedisputed obligation arose, where ithasbeenor
should beperformed. Thelegaltextallows theplaintiff fullfreedom tochoose, based onanyofthese
criteria, thejudge before whom hewillbring theaction, inother words thelawdoesnotestablish
anorder ofpreference among these criteria.
When theaforementioned criteria arenotsufficient todetermine localjurisdiction, theplaintiff
maybring thesuitbefore thecourt ofhisdomicile orresidence, or,ifhehasneither domicile nor
residence onBenelux territory, before thecourt ofhischoice, whether inBrussels, TheHague or
Luxembourg.
3. Geographical indications
Thecommercial court shallruleinfirstinstance onactions concerning registered designations
oforigins. (Article 574.3 JC).
4. Patents
Actions concerning patents fallwithin theexclusive jurisdiction ofthecourt offirstinstance.
Regardless oftheamount ofmoney involved, Justices ofthePeace havenocompetence insuchcases
(Article 73.1ofthelawof28March 1984 onpatents). Article 73.1.2 settles cases where aproblem
ofinfringement isconnected withamatter ofunfair competition byconfirming thejurisdiction ofthe
court offirstinstance, thereby excluding thatofthepresident ofthecommercial court deriving from
thelawof14July1991. Thisisinkeeping withtherules ofconnection (Article 30JC).
Asregards localjurisdiction, thelawof28March 1984 setsforth tworules:
- Thatexclusive jurisdiction totryactions concerning patent infringements ortosetthe
amount ofthecompensation envisaged inArticle 29(compensation paidbyathird
party who,between thetimewhen thepatent application wasmade public andthedate
ofthegrant ofthepatent, made useoftheinvention inawaythatwould beforbidden
afterthatperiod byvirtue ofthepatent), restswiththecourt convening attheseatof
theCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction theinfringement orexploitation tookplace
or,iftheplaintiff sochooses, thecourt convening attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal
inwhose jurisdiction thedefendant oroneofthedefendants isdomiciled orresident.
Thiscentralization iswarranted bythecomplexity ofthesubject, which makes acertain
specialization desirable, which inturnmakes foruniformity oflegal practice and
reinforces legalguarantees;
- thelawlaysdown supplementary rules inmore precise terms:
Article 73.2ofthelawunder reference
Exclusive jurisdiction totrypatent infringement cases ortosettheamount of
compensation envisaged inArticle 29(working ofaninvention before thegrant of
thepatent, inawaythatisforbidden oncethepatent isobtained) restswiththecourt
convening attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction theinfringement
orexploitation takes place, or,iftheplaintiff sochooses, thecourt attheseatofthe
Court ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction thedefendant oroneofthedefendants hashis
domicile orresidence.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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Article 73.4ofthelawunder reference
Thecourt convening attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction the
defendant oroneofthedefendants hashisdomicile orresidence shallhaveexclusive
jurisdiction totry:
1. Actions forapatent application orapatent;
2. actions todetermine reciprocal obligations inregard tocompulsory patent
licensing;
3. actions fortheannulment ofapatent;
4. disputes overcontracts assigning apatent application orapatent;
5. disputes concerning contracts forthegrant ofalicence towork aninvention
forwhich apatent application hasbeenfiledorwhich ispatented, aswellas
those concerning contracts assigning suchalicence;
6. disputes overpatented inventions andtherelated know-how, asenvisaged in
Article 10ofthelawof10January 1955, when theconciliation envisaged under
thisArticle hasfailed.
Article 73.5setsfortharuleofjurisdiction thatapplies tothedefendant whohasneither
domicile norresidence inBelgium: theplaintiff shallfiletheaction before thecourt
convening attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction theplaintiff is
domiciled orresident.
5. Industrial designs
Seegeneral provisions.
Article 16ofthelawof25October 1966 onindustrial designs provides thatcivilcourts have
exclusive jurisdiction toruleonactions brought onthebasis ofthislaw.
Barring express contractual assignment oflocal jurisdiction, itisdetermined, inregard to
industrial designs, bythedomicile ofthedefendant orbytheplace where thedisputed obligation arose,
hasbeenorshould beperformed.
Iftheabove-mentioned regulations areinsufficient todetermine localjurisdiction, theplaintiff
maybring thesuitbefore thecourt ofhisplace ofdomicile orresidence or,ifhehasneither domicile
norresidence onBenelux territory, before thecourt ofhischoice, whether inBrussels, TheHague
orLuxembourg.
6. Layout-designs (topographies) ofintegrated circuits
Thelawof10January 1990onthelegalprotection oftopographies ofsemiconductor products
envisages:
- Thatthecourtsoffirstinstanceshalltrycasesconcerningtopographiesofsemiconductor
products regardless oftheamount ofmoney involved intheaction (Article 16.1of
thelawunder reference; Article 569.23 JC);IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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- thatexclusive jurisdiction totrythecase(Article 16.2oftheaforementioned lawand
Article 627.12 JC)restswith:
1. Thecourt convening attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction
theinfringementiscommittedor,iftheplaintiffsochooses,thecourtconvening
attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction thedefendant orone
ofthedefendants hashisdomicile orresidence;
2. thecourt attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction theplaintiff
hashisdomicile orresidence, when thedefendant oroneofthedefendants
hasnodomicile orresidence intheKingdom.
7. Protection ofnewplant varieties
Thelawof20May1975 ontheprotection ofnewplant varieties provides thatdisputes over
civilrights arising from thislawshall come within thejurisdiction ofthecourt offirstinstance
(Article 38.1; Article 569.20 JC)
Thecourtintheplacewheretheinfringementoccurshasexclusivejurisdictioninactionsbrought
inregard totheprotection ofnewplant varieties (Article 627.5 JC).
8. Inventions andtrade secrets related tonational defence andState security3
Suits filedinregard tothedivulgation andimplementation oftheabove trade secrets and
inventions shallfallwithin thejurisdiction ofthecourt offirstinstance (Article 569.11).
2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourts bytheright holder?
(a) General rules
Anyperson whohastherighttobring anaction andstands togainfromitmaylaythematter
before thecompetent authority, which willrender ajudgement onthemerits ofthecase(Articles 17
and18oftheJudicial Code).
Theparties arerequired toappear inperson ortoberepresented byalawyer when theaction
isbeing introduced aswellasthereafter (Article 728.1 JC).Theparties mayalsoberepresented before
theJustice ofthePeace, thecommercial court andtheother courts bytheirspouse orbyarelative
orassociate bearing awritten power ofattorney officially approved bythecourt (Article 728.2 JC).
Thejudge mayevenorder, exofficio ,theappearance inperson oftheparties orofoneofthem
(Article 992JC). When oneoftheparties isalegalperson governed bypublic orprivate law,the
ruling ororder shalldesignate theagent or,asappropriate, theauthorities orlegalrepresentatives of
saidlegalperson whomustappear before thecourt (Article 994JC).Thedecision toorder thepersonal
appearance oftheparties mayneither beopposed norappealed against (Article 996JC).
3SeeArticle 73oftheTRIPS Agreement.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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(b) Specific rules4
1. Copyright andrelated rights
Asregards actions forsuspension ascontemplated inthelawof30June1994, Article 87.1
designates thenatural orlegalperson whomayrequest suspension. Itmaybeanyperson affected,
anauthorized rights administration entity oraprofessional orinterprofessional group withlegal
personality.
2. Patents
Article 52.2ofthelawof28March 1984 onpatents setsforththecategories ofpersons who
mayinstitute actions forinfringement.
These maybe:
- Theowner, thatistheperson holding titleatthetimeoftheinitiation oflegal
proceedings, ifheisthetrueinventor;
- thebeneficial owner, byoperation oftherules ofordinary law;
- theholder ofacompulsory licence, provided thathehaspreviously andunsuccessfully
given notice totheowner orbeneficial owner toact.Thisprovision isnecessary to
ensure theeffectiveness ofthecompulsory licence. Itapplies therefore onlyincases
offailure tomake useofacompulsory licence;
- thebeneficiary ofanexclusive licence, solongasthecontract doesnotwithdraw from
saidbeneficiary thefaculty inprinciple conferred onhimbylaw;
- finally, anyholder ofalicence whether compulsory orcontractual, exclusive ornot,
mayatalltimes voluntarily takepartininfringement proceedings initiated bytheowner
orbeneficial owner inorder toobtain compensation forhisowninjury.
3. Trademarks
Asregards collective trademarks, Article 26ofthelawof19March 1962 provides thatthe
righttoappear incourt toclaim protection foracollective trademark isreserved totheowner ofthe
trademark.
Nevertheless, theregulations foruseandcontrol maygrant tothepersons allowed tousethe
trademark theright toactjointly withtheowner ortoassociate themselves withortakepartin
proceedings initiated byoragainst thelatter.
Likewise, theregulations foruseorcontrol maystipulate thattheowner, acting onhisown,
maymake mention ofthespecific interests oftheusers ofthetrademark andinclude inhisaction for
compensation thespecific damages suffered byoneormore ofthem.
4Inregard topersons whohavetheright toinstitute anaction forsuspension based onArticle 95ofthelaw
of14July1991 ontrading practices andconsumer information andprotection, seeanswer toquestion 5below.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page8
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
Itisincumbent oneachoftheparties tosubstantiate itsallegations (Article 870JC). Ifan
infringement hasactually taken place, itcanbeproved bylegalprocess. Thejudge maynevertheless
order anyparty tothedispute toproduce anyevidence atitsdisposal (Article 871JC).
When there areserious, precise andcoinciding presumptions thatoneoftheparties orathird
party possesses adocument containing proof ofarelevant fact,thejudge mayorder thatthedocument
oradulycertified copythereof should beincluded inthebriefoftheproceeding (Article 877JC).
Ifthedocument isinthepossession ofathirdparty, thejudge willpreliminarily invite said
party todeposit theoriginal oracopyofsaiddocument inthebriefoftheproceeding, inkeeping with
theprocedures andtime-frame specified byhim. Thethirdparty mayformulate itsobservations in
writing orinchambers. Theparties areauthorized toexamine saidobservations andrespond tothem
(Article 878JC).
Thedecision ordering thesubmission oftheoriginal orcopyofadocument states theidentity
oftheparty orthethirdparty which mustsubmit saiddocument, aswellastheapplicable procedures
andtime-frames (Article 879JC).
Anyparty orthirdparty which refuses, without alawful reason, tosubmit adocument ora
copy pursuant tothedecision ofthecourt, maybesanctioned forsuchdamages asmaybedeemed
appropriate (Article 882JC).
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Belgian lawcontains nospecific provisions guaranteeing protection ofconfidential information.
Thejudicial authorities must therefore bearinmind Article 43.1oftheTreaty onthispoint.
Rulings arerendered inpublic hearings. These aregoverned byArticle 1380 oftheJudicial
Code which provides thatclerks ofthecourt andtrustees inpublic registries shall, without acourt
order, deliver authenticated copies, duplicates orextracts ofsuchjudgements toanyone requesting
them, within thelimits oftheirpowers, withliability incosts anddamages.
Thejudge shalldecide astotheconfidentiality oftheinformation tobeincluded intheruling.
Itshould bepointed outthatthebriefcontaining thedifferent documents isopentoconsultation
bytheparties toaproceeding.
Attorneys mustrespect theobligation ofprofessional secrecy stipulated inArticle 458ofthe
Penal Code.
5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
- Injunctions;
- damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees;IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page9
- destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements for
their production;
- anyother remedies.
(a) Injunctions
1. General rule
Article 95ofthelawof14July1991ontradepractices andconsumer information andprotection
provides thatthepresident ofthecommercial court shallascertain theexistence andorder thecessation
ofanact,evenacriminally sanctioned one,thatconstitutes abreach oftheabove-mentioned law.
Thisproceeding onthemerits ofacasewhich, asstated inArticle 100ofthelaw,isformulated
andinitiated inproceedings inchambers, iscalled anaction forsuspension. Thepresident ofthecourt
hasverybroad competence byvirtue oftheprinciple adopted bytheCourt ofCassation, whereby the
violationofanyprovisionoflaworregulationsconstitutesanactcontrarytohonestcommercialpractices.
Article 96ofthislawnevertheless provides thatArticle 95doesnotapply toinfringements
sanctioned bythelawsonpatents, trademarks forproducts orservices, industrial designs andcopyright.
Article 98ofthesame lawsetsoutthepersons whohavethecapacity toinitiate anaction for
suspension.
These are:
1. Those directly affected;
2. theMinister, except when aproceeding concerns anaction contemplated inArticle 93
ofthelaw(allactscontrary tohonest commercial practices bywhich avendor causes
harm orcause harm totheprofessional interests ofoneorseveral other vendors);
3. Aprofessional orinterprofessional group withitsownlegalpersonality, excepting when
theproceeding concerns anactcontemplated inArticle 94oftheLaw(anyactcontrary
tohonest commercial practices bywhich avendor causes harm ormaycause harm
totheinterests ofoneorseveral consumers);
4. Aconsumer protection association withitsownlegalpersonality, provided thatitis
represented ontheConsumption Council orthatitisdulyrecognized bytheMinister
ofEconomic Affairs, except when theproceeding concerns anactcontemplated in
Article 93ofthelaw(seeabove).
Notwithstanding theprovisions ofArticles 17and18oftheJudicial Code, theassociations
andgroups contemplated under points 3and4above mayinstitute legal action indefence oftheir
collective interests asdefined intheirregulations.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page10
2. Specific rules
(a) Copyright andneighbouring rights
Thelawof30June1994concerningcopyrightandneighbouringrightsprovidesforthepossibility
ofanaction forsuspension.
Article 87.1oftheaforementioned lawof30June1994 envisages that:
"ThePresident ofthecourt offirstinstance inthedistrict where theinfringement occurs shall
haveexclusive jurisdiction toorder suspension. Heshallascertain theexistence andorder
thesuspension ofanyinfringement ofcopyright oraneighbouring right.
Theaction shallbeformulated andinitiated inproceedings inchambers.
Aruling shallbemade ontheaction notwithstanding anycriminal proceedings instituted based
onthesame facts.
Thejudgement shallbeprovisionally enforceable, regardless ofanyappeal andwithout the
deposit ofasecurity, except where thejudge orders thatsuchsecurity beprovided."
(b) Patents
Article 52.4oftheLawof28March 1984 onpatents provides thatthecourt shallissue a
suspension order toanyinfringer, attherequest oftheinjured party.
(c) Layout -designs (topographies) ofintegrated circuits
Article 13oftheLaw of10January 1990 onlegal protection forthetopographies of
semi-conductor products provides that,attherequest ofaninjured party, thecourt mayissuearuling
forsuspension oftheinfringement toanyinfringer.
(d) Trademarks
IthasbeenseenthatArticle 96oftheLawof14July1991ontradepractices expressly excludes
theapplicability ofactions forsuspension ascontemplated inArticle 95ofthesamelawtoinfringements
penalized bytheLawontrademarks. Nevertheless, theCourt ofCassation hasconfirmed anestablished
precedent whereby thisexclusion didnotcover cases where theuseofatrademark though notan
infringement, constitutes unlawful useofthetrademark.
Further, thejudge ruling onsuspension isalsocompetent totrybreaches ofservice marks
predating 1January 1987 andofwhich noconfirmatory deposit hasbeenmade.5
Finally, when theprotection being sought isnotforthemark asatrademark butassomething
else,forexample anon-commercial company name orevenatradename, theaction forsuspension
mayapply.
5Article 96.2, Lawof14July1991.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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(e) Industrial designs
Article 14.5oftheLawof25October 1966onindustrial designs provides thatanaction may
notbebrought based onlegalprovisions repressing unfair competition foractsthatconstitute nomore
thananinfringement ofanindustrial design.
(b) Damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses including attorney 'sfees
Thejudge mayorder theinfringer topayadequate compensation totherightholder fordamages
suffered bythelatter asaresult oftheinfringement ofhisintellectual property rights:
- Onthebasis ofageneral provision (Article 1382 oftheCivil Code). Thisgeneral
provision states thatanyhuman actthatcauses injury toanother person obliges the
person, bywhose acttheinjury iscaused, tocompensate forit.Thisisapplicable
eveniftheperson atfaultwasnotaware thattheactconcerned wasinbreach ofan
intellectual property right;
- onthebasis ofaspecific provision.
1. Copyright
TheLawof30June1994oncopyright andneighbouring rights permits actions fordamages.
Article 87.2oftheaforementioned lawof30June1994 envisages that:
"The handing overofthecounterfeit objects andplaques, moulds, matrices orother utensils
thatwereuseddirectly tocommit theinfringement thatmaystillbeinthepossession ofthe
defendant, maybeordered aspartofthecompensation duetotheplaintiff.
Ifthedefendant actsinbadfaith, heshallbeissued witharuling fortheconfiscation ofthe
counterfeit objects andtheplaques, moulds, matrices andother utensils thatwereuseddirectly
tocommit theinfringement or,asappropriate, anorder topayasumofmoney equal tothe
price ofthese objects orofother goods already sold."
2. Topography
TheLawof10January 1990 onlegalprotection oftopographies ofsemi-conductor products
prescribes thatthecourt may, upon application oftheinjured party, order anyinfringer topay
compensation totheplaintiff forthedamages caused bytheinfringement.
3. Patents
Article 52.4oftheLawof28March 1984onpatents provides that,attherequest oftheinjured
party, thecourt mayorder anyinfringer topaycompensation totheplaintiff fordamages caused by
theinfringement.
4. Trademarks
Article 13oftheLawof19March 1962 provides thattheowner isentitled toclaim
compensation foranydamages suffered asaresult oftheuseofthedisputed trademark bytheauthor
oftheinfringement.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page12
Article 13.A.4 ofthislawfurther allows theowner ofthetrademark, inaddition toanaction
fordamages orinitsstead, tobring anaction fortherecovery ofprofits derived from theunlawful
useofthetrademark, aswellasanaction forastatement ofaccounts inthatconnection. Thelaw
states thatthecourts shallreject theaction iftheyareoftheopinion thattheuseisnotinbadfaith
orthatthecircumstances ofthecasedonotjustify theruling being sought.
5. Industrial designs
Article 13.4oftheLawof25October 1966 provides thatthelicensee, acting together with
theowner, mayinitiate proceedings forcompensation ofanydamages suffered asaresult ofthe
infringement ofanexclusive right.
Thejudge mayorder theinfringer toreimburse therightholder anycourt expenses incurred.6
Attorney 'sfeesmaynotberecovered, subject toanorder topaycosts.7
Eachparty therefore bears itsownattorney 'sfees,regardless oftheoutcome ofthetrial. This
principle isatoddswithArticle 45oftheTRIPS Agreement which provides thatthejudicial authorities
shallalsohavetheauthority toorder theinfringer topaytherightholder expenses, which mayinclude
appropriate attorney 'sfees.
(c) Destruction orotherdisposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements fortheirproduction
1. General rules
Thejudicial authorities shallhavetheauthority toorder thatgoods thattheyhaveascertained
tobeinbreach ofaright should beexcluded from commercial circuits ordestroyed, without
compensation.
Thedestruction ofgoods isameasure which canobviously becontemplated onlyaspartof
anaction onthemerits ofacase, asitisanything butprovisional.
When destruction isrequested inBelgium, itisgranted without toomuch difficulty. There
areevencases inwhich theholder alsohasthepossibility oftaking delivery ofthedisputed products.
Ingeneral, thedecision provides thatthecostsofdestruction ordelivery oftheproducts shall
beborne bytheinfringer.
Thejudge mayorder theseizure ofworks infringing intellectual property rights (alsocalled
seizure-description): Patentees, holders ofsupplementary protection certificates formedicinal products,
holders ofandapplicants forplantbreeders 'rights, theirsuccessors intitleandtheowners ofcopyright,
may, withthepermission ofthejudge given upon application, arrange foroneorseveral experts
appointed bythejudge, toundertake adescription oftheequipment, machines, works, plantvarieties,
reproductive andpropagating material andofallallegedly counterfeit objects andprocedures, aswell
asdrawings, documents, calculations, writings, plants orparts ofplants thatmayhelptoprove the
alleged infringement, andtoolsthathaveproduced thedisputed items (Article 1481JC).Thepetition
shalltaketheformofaunilateral application andmusttherefore necessarily besigned byanAttorney
(Article 1026 JC).
6Cf.answer toquestion 8.
7Cf.answer toquestion 8.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page13
Thejudge ordering theseizure mayusethesame order toforbid theholders ofthecounterfeit
objects toalienate them, appoint atrustee, place theobjects under sealand,iftheactsinquestion have
produced revenue, toauthorize theattachment ofsuchfunds (Article 1481 JC).
Thepetition shallcontain anelection ofdomicile inthecommunes where thedescription must
bemade. Thepatent, thesupplementary protection certificate formedicinal products, theplantbreeders '
rightoracopyofthefiledapplication dulycertified byService fortheProtection ofNewVarieties
and,ifappropriate, thesupporting documents, must beattached tothepetition (Article 1482 JC).
Thejudge mayrequire theapplicant todeposit asecurity, inwhich casethejudge'sorder is
delivered onlyupon receipt ofproof ofthedeposit ofthesecurity (Article 1483 JC).
Theparties mayattend orberepresented atthedrawing upofthedescription ifspecially
authorized todosobythejudge ordering theseizure (Article 1484 JC).
Theseizure -description isalways carried outonthestrength ofanauthorization bythejudge
ordering seizure, which authorization isalsoawarrant tosearch thepremises ofathird party
(Article 1485 JC). Theseizure isvalid foronemonth (Article 1488 JC)anddiffers from ordinary
lawaccording towhich seizures areinprinciple effective forthree years. Thesummons toappear
atthetrialonthemerits ofthecasemust beissued within amonth ofthedateofsubmission ofthe
expert 'sreport oroftheattachment oftherevenue8(Article 1488 JC).
Attherequest ofthecreditor andincases requiring immediate action, thejudge mayissue
anorder ofdistraint ofattachable goods belonging tothedebtor (Articles 1413 to1428 JC).
Furthermore, thejudge mayalsoissue anorder ofattachment inrespect ofathird party
(Articles 1445 to1460 JC). Thisisanactbywhich thecreditor confiscates from athirdparty sums
ofmoney orproperty owed bysaidthirdparty tohisdebtor.
Seizures areintended toplace safely "inthehands ofthelaw"goods belonging tothedebtor,
to"block" suchgoods soastoprevent thedebtor ofdisposing ofthemtothedetriment ofhiscreditors.
2. Specific rules
(a) Patents
Article 52.4oftheLawof28March 1984 envisages thatincaseofbadfaith, thecourt may
rulethattheinfringing objects andtheinstruments ormeans specifically usedtoproduce themshould
beconfiscated anddelivered totheplaintiff.
8Article 1488 provides thatifinthemonth following thedateofsubmission oftheexpert 'sreport orofthe
attachment ofrevenue, thedescription isnotfollowed byasummons toappear atthetrialonthemerits ofthe
caseatthecourt inthejurisdiction inwhich thedescription wasmade, theorder issued bythejudge inpursuance
ofArticle 1481 shall cease tobeeffective, andtheapplicant maynolonger useitormake itpublic. Thisis
without prejudice todamages.
Asregards patents andsupplementary protection certificates formedicinal products, thesummons isissued
toappear atthetrialonthemerits atthecourt convening attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inthejurisdiction
inwhich theinfringement orexploitation hastaken place or,iftheplaintiff sochooses, atthecourt convening
attheseatoftheCourt ofAppeal inwhose jurisdiction thedefendant oroneofthedefendants hashisdomicile
orresidence.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page14
Where appropriate, thecourt willaward asumofmoney equal totheprice ofobjects already
sold.
(b) Topographies
Article 14oftheLawof10January 1990 provides thatincaseofbadfaith, thecourt may
rulefortheconfiscation anddelivery totheplaintiff ofsemi-conductor products infringing anexclusive
right, andoftheinstruments andmeans specifically usedfortheirproduction.
(c) Trademarks
Article 31bis,1oftheLawof1962 enables therightholder toclaim ownership ofmoveable
goods infringing hisrightorofthegoods usedfortheirproduction, ortorequire thattheybedestroyed
orplaced outofuse.
Thisclaim maybeenforced against sums ofmoney presumed tobeearned asaresult ofthe
infringement. Theclaim willberejected iftheinfringement hasnotbeencommitted inbadfaith.
(d) Other remedies
1. Publication
Thecourt mayalsoorder thepublication oftheruling. InBelgium, asthismeasure istreated
asaformofcompensation, itisinprinciple ordered onlyinatrialonthemerits. There arenevertheless
some exceptions. Thus, inthecaseofaservile infringement, when thecounterfeit product could in
itself cause serious harm totheconsumer, thejudge sitting inchambers maybeinclined torulefor
publication.
(a) Copyright
Article 87.1oftheLaw30June1994concerning copyright andneighbouring rights provides
thatinaddition tothesuspension ofthedisputed act,thepresident ofthecourt may, asheseesfit,
order thepublication ofallorpartoftheruling, attheexpense ofthedefendant.
(b) Topographies
Article 13infine,ofLawof10January 1990 onthelegalprotection ofthetopographies of
semi-conductor products provides thatthecourt mayorder thepublication oftheruling.
(c) Patents
Article 53ofthelawof28March 1984 onpatents provides thatthecourts mayorder the
publication oftheruling.
2. Returning counterfeit goods
Once theinfringer hassoldthegoods theybelong tohisclients. Insuchacase,thecourt cannot
order himtotakethem back. Itmaynevertheless order himtowrite tohisclients toinform them
oftheexistence ofacourt ruling.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page15
3. Penalty payment
Attherequest ofoneparty, thejudge maysentence theother party, ifthemain sentence is
notsatisfactory, topayasumofmoney known asapenalty payment, though without prejudice toany
damages thatmaybeadjudged. Nevertheless, thepenalty payment maynotbeimposed intheevent
ofaprevious ruling topayasumofmoney, norinthecaseofactions fortheexecution ofwork contracts
(Article 1385bis,JC).
Forexample, thejudge mayattach apenalty payment toanorder tocease using aninfringing
trademark, tofurnish commercial information, todestroy certain objects orwrite toclients.
Thismeans thatthedefendant issentenced topayalump sum,beitfornon-compliance with
theorder given, oranamount perday(orperhour) ofdelay incomplying withtheorder.
Thepenalty payment benefits theplaintiff. Itisameans ofpressure totally independent of
other measures ofcompensation. Inother words, theamount ofdamages thatcould bepayable by
theparty ordered tomake apenalty payment isnotinfluenced bytheexistence ofsuchpenalty payment.
- Trademarks
Byvirtue ofArticle 13bis,5oftheLawof1962, thecourt may, uponapplication oftheright
holder, order theauthor oftheinfringement toprovide allinformation athisdisposal concerning the
origin oftheinfringing goods andtomake available allrelated information.
Thisprovision allows therightholder toreconstitute thechain ofproduction anddistribution
ofthecounterfeit objects, thusgetting atthesource oftheinfringement.
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany, dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform theright holder oftheidentity ofthird persons involved intheproduction
anddistribution ofthegoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheirchannels ofdistribution?
Seeanswers toquestions 3and5.
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat "remedial
measures" areapplicable tothem?
Abuse oftherighttoinstitute proceedings maybepenalized bytheaward ofdamages ifthe
aggrieved party sorequests, pursuant toArticle 1382 oftheCivil Code.
Such anaction isdeemed tobefrivolous andvexatious. Theexercise oftheright tobring
legalaction becomes abuse ifitrepresents amanifest faultwhich reveals malicious intent orbadfaith.
Thisisnever presumed. Theparty alleging abusive proceedings byhisadversary mustsubstantiate
theexistence ofserious misconduct andthedamage caused byit.
Thesame ruleexists inregard toappeals. When anappeal judge rejects amain appeal, he
alsouses thesame ruling toaward anydamages sought forfrivolous andvexatious appeal
(Article 1072bisJC).
Furthermore, saidfrivolous andvexatious appeal could incur afine,which matter willbe
exclusively dealtwithatahearing scheduled inthesame ruling foradatesoonthereafter. Thefine
ispayable totheTreasury. Itmayalsobeawarded independently ofdamages forfrivolous appeal.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page16
Inkeeping withconsistent practice oftheCourt ofCassation, theStateisliable fortheactions
ofitsofficials, theState anditsorgans being jointly andseverally liable inthatregard. TheState is
liable fortheactions ofjudges.
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
(a) Costs
Article 1017 oftheJudicial Code provides thatinprinciple, allfinaljudgements include an
order fortheparty losing thecasetopaycosts, unless there arespecific lawsthatprovide otherwise
andwithout prejudice toapossible agreement between theparties, which would beincluded inthe
ruling.
Costs include (Article 1018 oftheJudicial Code):
(a) Stamp duty9,registry charges10,andregistration fees11;
(b) emoluments andsalaries forthedrafters oflegaldocuments12;
(c) thecostofacertified copyofacourt decision;
(d) thecostofallinvestigatory measures inparticular, witnesses '13andexperts 'fees;
(e) travel andaccommodation expenses forjudges, clerks ofthecourt andtheparties,
when suchtravel hasbeenordered bythejudge;
(f) thecostoflegaldocuments thathavebeendrawn upexclusively forthepurposes of
thetrial;
(g) compensation forcourt costs. Suchcompensation isintended partly tooffset lawyers '
feespayable bytheparty winning thecase. Such payments areregulated byRoyal
Decree14;
(h) execution costs (Article 1024 oftheJudicial Code).
9Pursuant toArticle 8oftheRegent 'sDecree of26June1947 containing theStamp Duty Code, afeeshall
becharged fordocuments served byprocess servers other thandeeds ofprotest andrecords ofpublic sales of
moveables; dulycertified copies, duplicates orextracts ofsaiddocuments.
10Include enrolment fees, feesfordrafting andfordespatch (Articles 268to274oftheRoyal Decree of
30November 1939 containing theCode ofFees forRegistration, Mortgages andRegistry Services).
11Pursuant toArticle 142oftheCode ofRegistration fees, a3percentcharge maybelevied forallcourt
decisions andjudgements, handed down inrespect ofallmatters, involving anorder whether final, provisional,
principal, ancillary orconditional, topaysums ofmoney orsellmoveable goods. Thisruleiswaived inrespect
ofinjunctions anddecisions handed down inrespect ofappeals against saidinjunctions (Article 143). Thisfee
ispayable incaseofajudgement, even aninterim judgement. Ontheother hand, therecords ofconciliation
proceedings (Article 733), notbeing judicial documents even inform, arenotsubject tothefeementioned in
Article 142.
12These emoluments aresetbytheRoyal Decree of30November 1976 which laysdown theschedule of
charges forcivilandcommercial documents drawn upbyprocess servers.
13Thewitnesses 'feeissetbyRoyal Decree of27July1972.
14Theamount ofthecompensation forcourt costs issetbytheRoyal Decree of30November 1970, which
contains aschedule ofcosts recoverable bythejudge, inpursuance ofArticle 1022 oftheJudicial Code.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page17
Thefollowing arenotincluded incosts:
(a) Lawyers 'fees;
(b) costs incurred inrelation tobriefs andopinions;
(c) arbitrary andunnecessary costs, thatis,arbitrary andunnecessary costs tobeborne
bytheministerial officer whoincurred them.15
Theparties must advance allthese feesduring theproceedings.
Nevertheless, inorder toensure thatindigent persons alsohaveaccess tothecourts toenforce
theirrights, theJudicial Code hasprovided forlegalaidandforprodeo.
Asenvisaged inArticles 664to699oftheJC,legalaidmeans fullyorpartly dispensing those
whodonothavethefunds necessary tobearthecostsofaproceeding, evenanextrajudicial proceeding,
frompaying stamp duties, feesforregistration, registry services andcopies ofcourt rulings, aswell
astheother costs entailed inaproceeding. Italsoensures theservices oftheMinistère desofficiers
publics etministériels freeofcosttothose concerned.
Beneficiaries oflegalaidaredispensed fromadvancing thefeesentailed incourt proceedings.
These feesmay,however, berecovered subsequently fromthebeneficiary oflegalaidifitisascertained
thathisfinancial situation haschanged since thedecision togrant legalaid.
Prodeo,which isenvisaged inArticles 455and455bisoftheJC,isprovided bytheBarCouncil
ofeachbar.Persons withinsufficient income canthusbenefit from theservices ofalawyer freeof
cost.
(b) Duration
Wearenotinaposition tosupply statistics astotheduration oftheseproceedings. Thisvaries
withtheimportance ofthecase.
B. Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
(a) Administrative procedures
Pursuant toArticles 144and145oftheConstitution, disputes concerning civilrights fall
exclusively within thejurisdiction ofthecourts. Inprinciple, disputes concerning intellectual property
rights fallwithin theexclusive competence ofthecourts.
Nevertheless theCouncil ofStatemaywellbecalled upon tomake aruling onanappeal for
theannulment ofanadministrative decision concerning anintellectual property right. TheCouncil
ofStateshallnevertheless havenojurisdiction tohanddown aruling onamatter theexamination of
which would entail apronouncement astotheexistence orthescope ofanintellectual property right.
15Article 866oftheJudicial Code.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page18
(b) Competent jurisdiction
Theadministrative division oftheCouncil ofStateshallhanddown decisions onappeals for
annulment onaccount ofinfringement offormal requirements ofsubstance orrequirements prescribed
under penalty ofnullity, excess ofjurisdiction orabuse ofauthority, filedagainst decisions and
regulations ofthedifferent administrative authorities oragainst administrative adjudicatory decisions
(Article 14,Coordinated Laws ontheCouncil ofState, RCof12January 1973, Moniteur Belge of
21March 1973).
(c) Conditions tobemetbytheappellant foranappeal forannulment tobeadmissible
Theappellant mustbecapable oforcompetent toinstitute legalaction andmuststand togain
fromtheappeal. Ifanaction atlawistobeadmissible, theperson bringing theaction musthavethe
capacity, orifitisacorporation under public law,therequired competence forthatpurpose.
(d) Rules concerning court attendance
Theappellant mayintroduce, pursue andcomplete anylegalaction brought before theCouncil
ofState. Itisnotcompulsory foralawyer tobeinvolved.
Article 19.2oftheCoordinated Laws ontheCouncil ofState envisages that: "The parties
mayberepresented orassisted byattorneys registered withtheBarAssociation or,pursuant tothe
Judicial Code, byanyperson established inamember StateoftheEuropean Communities, where he
hashadauthorization topractice asalawyer foratleastthree years".
(e) Measures ofinvestigation
TheCouncil ofStatemayrequest alluseful information fromanyauthority, mayrequest any
document, require additional explanations from theparties, interrogate them oranyother persons,
conduct on-the-spot verifications, engage experts anddecide ontheirterms ofreference.
(f) Remedial measures thatmaybeordered bytheCouncil ofState
(1) Annulment ofthecontested decision, entirely orinpart:
Anannulled decision nolonger exists and,inprinciple, isdeemed never tohaveexisted. The
decision annulling anadministrative decision isapplicable ergaomnes .
(2) Nopower toissue injunctions:
Inprinciple, theCouncil ofState isnotempowered toissue injunctions toadministrative
authorities.
Thisnotwithstanding, theCouncil ofStatemayimpose apenalty payment ontheadministration
under certain conditions. Inthatregard, Article 36oftheCoordinated Laws provides that:
"1. When therestoration oflegality means thattheannulment ofajuridical actsuchas
mentioned inArticle 14must befollowed byanewdecision bytheauthorities orbyanew
actonthepartoftheauthorities, theperson uponwhose application theannulment wasmade
may, iftheauthority doesnotmeetitsobligations, request theCouncil ofState toimpose a
penalty payment ontheauthority inquestion. When anannulment order involves anobligation
fortheadministrative authority torefrain fromtaking certain decisions, theperson uponwhoseIP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page19
application theannulment order isissued mayrequest theCouncil ofState toinstruct the
authority, under penalty ofafine,towithdraw thedecisions taken byitinviolation ofthe
obligation ofrestraint deriving fromtheannulment order. Theapplication willbeadmissible
onlyiftheapplicant hasrequested theauthority, byregistered letter, totakeanewdecision
andifatleastthree months haveelapsed since thenotification oftheannulment order. The
penalty payment cannot beincurred before notification oftheorder setting theamount.
2. TheCouncil ofStatemaysetthepenalty payment asaglobal amount, orasanamount
perunitoftimeorperinfringement. Inthetwolatter cases theCouncil mayalsosetanamount
beyond which nopenalty payment isincurred.
3. Thechamber thathasimposed thepenalty payment may, upon theapplication ofthe
authority sanctioned, annul thepayment, suspend thedeadline foraperiod tobesetbyit,or
reduce thepenalty payment intheevent ofpermanent, temporary orpartial incapacity ofthe
sanctioned authority tocomply withthemainruling. Ifthepenalty payment isincurred prior
tothisincapacity, thechamber canneither annul norreduce it.
4. Thepenalty payment envisaged inparagraph 1above shallbeeffected attherequest
oftheapplicant andwiththeintervention oftheMinister forHome Affairs. Itshallbeallocated
toabudget fundwithin themeaning ofthelawof27December 1990establishing budget funds.
Thisfundiscalled the"Penalty Payments Management Fund."
(3) Nopower toaward damages:
Aparty suffering damages asaresult ofanadministrative measure mayseekcompensation
forsaiddamages before thecourts onthebasis ofArticles 1382 and1383 oftheCivil Code.
(4) Nopower tosetaside decisions:
TheCouncil ofState isnotempowered toreplace anannulled administrative decision with
anewdecision.
II. PROVISIONAL MEASURES
A. Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thattraditional authorities mayorder, and
thelegal basis forsuchauthority.
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect thelegitimate
interests ofthedefendant.
Thejudicial authorities areempowered toorder theadoption ofexpeditious andeffective
provisional measures toprevent anactthatmayinfringe anintellectual property rightand,inparticular,
toprevent theintroduction ofgoods intocommercial circuits.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page20
(a) Characteristics andconditions
Sitting alone, thePresident ofoneofthethree courts (firstinstance, labour, commerce) shall
becompetent totakeprovisional decisions onissues thatmust besettled without delay. Thejudge
shall make aruling after theplaintiff has"applied forinterim relief" (Articles 584to589, JC;
Articles 1035 to1040). Anapplication forinterim relief maybefiledincomplete independence of
anytrialonthemerits16.Itmayalsotaketheform ofaninterlocutory application inrelation toan
action filedinanother jurisdiction. Finally anapplication forinterim relief maybefiledattheend
ofproceedings, ifitisnecessary todecide onurgent problems ofcompliance.
Theintervention ofthejudge inchambers presupposes:
- Urgency, thatis,thatimmediate steps must betaken toavoid significant damages;
- thattheruling issued isprovisional innature. Thepresident ofthechamber doesnot
handdown judgements establishing rights inrelation tothelegalsituation oftheparties.
Inprinciple, thesolepurpose ofhisdecision istoarrive atanaccommodation between
theparties while theyawait adecision fromthejudge ofthemerits, whoisinnoway
bound bytheruling ofjudge inchambers.
(b) Procedure
Inprinciple, theapplication forinterim relief isinstituted bywritserved bytheprocess server.
Thetime-frame forthesubpoena isinprinciple twodays. Incaseofextreme urgency, thistime-frame
canbeshortened bythepresident ofthechambers attherequest oftheplaintiff. Itmayalsotakethe
formofvoluntary attendance incourt pursuant toordinary lawwithin themeaning ofArticle 706JC.
Thecontentious procedure would befollowed inthatcase.
Nevertheless, ifabsolutely necessary, thematter canbebrought before thepresident bywritten
application (Article 584). Theinitiation ofproceedings inthiswayisauthorized bywayofexception
insituations ofextreme urgency, when eventheshortening ofthetime-frame forthesubpoena allowed
under Article 1036 isnotsufficient. Thejudicial authorities arethenempowered totakeprovisional
measures without theother party being heard, inparticular, inacasewhere anydelay maycause
irreparable harm toarightholder orwhen there isaprovable riskofdestruction ofevidence.
Theuseofawritten application instead ofasubpoena toappear inchambers, thelatterproviding
thebasic guarantee ofcontentious proceedings, isnotallowed whenever thebilateral proceedings can
beeffectively used.
Itisinteresting tonotethatforsome timenowArticle 19.2oftheJudicial Code hasagain
been finding evermore frequent application. ThisArticle provides that"thejudge may, asan
interlocutory measure, render apreliminary investigatory ruling oraruling tosettle thesituation of
theparties provisionally".
Thankstothisprovision,thecourttryingthecaseonmeritsmay,forexample,issueaprovisional
ruling prohibiting theuseofadisputed trademark under penalty ofafine,without making aruling
onthesubstance ofthecase.
16Seenevertheless thecaseofseizure intheevent ofinfringement (answer toquestion 5).Thejudicial
authorities must therefore takeintoaccount Article 50.6 oftheTreaty onthispoint.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page21
Likewise, pursuant toArticle 19oftheJudicial Code, thecourts mayadmit anaction brought,
evenwithaviewofobtaining adeclaration toprevent theinfringement ofaseriously threatened right,
intheevent, forexample, where theuserofatrademark fearsbeing himself challenged bytheowner
ofanother trademark, or,inthereverse situation, where theowner ofanoriginal trademark hasevery
reason tofeartheimminent danger oftheuseofadisputed trademark.
When theaction isinitiated andinvestigated based onaunilateral application, thejudge will
verify theapplication, investigate thematter andmayconvoke theapplicant andtheintervening party
soastoheartheirexplanations (Article 1028 JC).
Theruling isexplained, andishanded down inchambers. Theclerkofthecourts serves notice
oftheruling totheapplicant andtotheintervening parties, ifappropriate, byofficial correspondence
andwithin three daysofitspronouncement.
TheCode setsoutprecisely theremedies forappeal andsetting aside bywhich anorder issued
upon aunilateral application maybechallenged.
1. Theapplicants orintervening parties maylodge anappeal iftheorder isinjurious to
theirinterests (Article 1031JC).Thisappeal mustbeinitiated byunilateral application
drafted inkeeping withArticle 1026 JCandsubmitted totheclerk ofthecourts in
theappellate jurisdiction. Thetime-frame isonemonth asfrom thenotification of
theorder being challenged (Articles 1030 to1031 JC). Thisremedy isnotopento
thirdparties whomaybeprejudiced bytheorder.
2. Athird-party appeal maybeentered against thedecision byanyperson nothaving
participated intheunilateral proceeding inthesame capacity (Articles 1033, 1034,
1025 JC). Thismustbesubmitted within onemonth ofthedatewhen theorder was
notified totheopposing thirdparty.
3. Theapplicant andtheparties whoparticipated intheunilateral proceeding may, ifthe
circumstances havechanged andsubject toanyrights acquired byathirdparty, request
theamendment orsetting aside oftheorder (Article 1032 JC).
(c) Possible provisional measures
Anymeasure thatisnotfinal(final measures, forexample, arethedestruction ofmerchandise
orclaiming ownership ofit)mayberequested andgranted bythejudge inchambers.
Forexample, thejudge inchambers byorder:
- Apenalty payment;
- orders forbidding use;
- therendering ofaccounts17;
- unexpert evaluation;
- anadvance onthetransfer ofprofits17;
- publication ofthedecision.
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
17Seethesection ontrademarks above.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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(a) Duration
These proceedings arerather expeditious. Although wehavenostatistics inthisregard, it
maybesaidthatingeneral theylastanything from afewdaystoafewweeks infirstinstance.
(b) Cost
Seetheanswer toquestion 8.
B. Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
Articles 17and18oftheCoordinated Laws ontheCouncil ofState provide that:
Article 17
"1. When anadministrative decision orregulation maybeannulled under Article 14.1,
theCouncil ofStateshallhaveexclusive competence toorder thesuspension ofitsexecution.
Oncetheparties havebeenheard orcalled aswitnesses, thesuspension isordered inajudgement
giving thereasons onwhich itisbased andhanded down bythechamber competent torule
onthemerits ofthecase. Inacaseofextreme urgency, itmaybeissued provisionally by
thepresident ofthechamber orbythejudge designated byhimforthatpurpose, subject to
confirmation bythechamber within 45daysoftheapplication. Iftheurgency issuchthat
theparties orsome ofthem cannot beheard, theorder ofsuspension shallalsosummon the
parties toappear within three daysbefore thecompetent chamber, which willruleonthe
confirmation ofsuspension. Thepresident ofthechamber whohasordered theprovisional
suspension orthejudge designated byhim,maynotsitinthechamber thatwillruleonthe
maintenance ofthesuspension.
2. Thesuspension ofexecution canonlybeordered ifserious arguments areputforward
thatcanjustify theannulment ofthedisputed decision orregulation andoncondition thatthe
immediate execution ofthedecision orregulation could cause serious injury which would be
difficult tomake good. Rulings handed down byvirtue ofparagraphs 1and2aresubject neither
toappeal northird-party appeal. Thedecisions bywhich suspension hasbeenordered may
bepostponed ormodified attherequest oftheparties.
3. Theapplication forsuspension shallbeinitiated byarequest different fromtheaction
forannulment andatthelatest, together withthelatter. Itsetsforththearguments andfacts
which, intheapplicant 'sopinion, justify thesuspension or,asappropriate, theadoption of
provisional measures. Thesuspension orother provisional measures ordered before thefiling
ofaction forannulment ofthedecision orregulation shallbeimmediately lifted bythepresident
ofthechamber whoordered them ifheobserves thatnoaction forannulment invoking the
arguments thathadjustified them hasbeenintroduced within thetime-frame laiddown inthe
rules ofprocedure.
4. Thechamber shallmake aruling within 45daysontheapplication forsuspension.
Ifsuspension hasbeenordered, itmakes aruling ontheaction forannulment within sixmonths
ofthehanding down oftheorder.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page23
5. Attherequestoftheapplicant,thedecisionorderingsuspensionorprovisionalsuspension
oftheexecution ofadecision oraregulation mayimpose apenalty payment ontheauthority
concerned.
6. Ifthegeneralassemblyoftheadministrativedivisiondoesnotannulthedisputeddecision
orregulation, thesuspension shallimmediately cease tobeeffective. Insuchacase,thematter
isreferred tothechamber towhich ithadbeensubmitted initially, foranexamination ofany
other arguments."
Article 18
"When anapplication forsuspension ofadecision orregulation isbrought before theCouncil
ofStatepursuant toArticle 17,italone may,provisionally andunder theconditions prescribed
inArticle 17.2.1, order anymeasures necessary tosafeguard theinterests oftheparties or
ofpersons whostand togainfromtheresolution ofthematter, except formeasures tosafeguard
civilrights.
Once theparties havebeenheard ordulysummoned aswitnesses, these measures shallbe
ordered byadecision stating thereasons onwhich itisbased andtaken unanimously bythe
chamber competent toruleonthemerits.
Incaseofdireurgency, themeasures maybeordered ontheapplication oftheparty whohad
requested suspension, bythepresident ofthechamber orthejudge designated byhimforthat
purpose, subject toconfirmation bythechamber within 45daysoftheapplication. Iftheparties
havenotbeenheard, theorder shall summon them toappear within three daysbefore the
chamber, which willmake aruling onthemaintenance ofmeasures thatmaynothavebeen
complied with."
III. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS RELATED TOBORDER MEASURES
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable alsoin
respect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other thancounterfeit
trade mark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement (footnote toArticle 51).
Specify, together with relevant criteria, anyimports excluded from theapplication ofsuch
procedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms union, goods intransit ordeminimis
imports). Dotheprocedures apply toimports ofgoods putonthemarket inanother country
byorwiththeconsent oftheright holder andtogoods destined forexportation?
(a) Pursuant toArticle 1ofCouncil Regulation (EC)No.3295/94 of22December 1994, which
laysdown measures toprohibit therelease forfreecirculation, export, re-export orentry under a
suspensive procedure ofcounterfeit andpirated goods, suspension oftherelease ordetention ofgoods
maybeapplied inrelations withnon-EEC member countries when thegoods are:
- Placed onthemarket;
- inthecustoms warehouse;
- inexternal transit;
- forinward processing while under thesuspensive procedure;
- forprocessing inbond;
- fortemporary admission;
- forexport;
- forre-export.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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(b) Without prejudice toapplication ofArticle 29oftheCode ofCriminal Procedure, which obliges
official toinform theRoyal Prosecutor ofanyoffence, thefollowing areexcluded fromthescope of
theaforementioned regulation:
- Temporary storage;
- internal transit;
- inward processing under theeconomic regime;
- outward processing;
- freezones andbonded warehouses.
(c) Suspension oftherelease ordetention ofgoods onlyapplies togoods thatinfringe thefollowing
intellectual property rights:
- Trade marks;
- copyright andneighbouring rights;
- industrial designs rights.
(d) Goods ofanon-commercial nature inthepersonal luggage oftravellers within thelimits fixed
forcustoms-free entry arealsoexcluded from thescope oftheregulations inquestion.
(e) Theaforementioned regulations donotapply togoods bearing atrade mark withtheconsent
oftheowner ofthetrade mark orprotected bycopyright orneighbouring ordesign rightandwhich
havebeenmanufactured withtheconsent oftheowner oftherightbutareplaced inoneofthesituations
referred toinparagraph (a)above without thelatter'sconsent.
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 orequivalent assurance), 56
(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofthegoods) and57(right ofinspection and
information) been implemented?
(a) TheDirector-General oftheCustoms andExcise Authority isresponsible forreceiving and
dealing withrequests foraction byowners ofrights. Suchrequests should bemade tothefollowing
address:
Administration centrale desdouanes etaccises
Division Procédures douanières (direction 13)
Section Contrefa çonetPiraterie
Citéadministrative del'Etat-Tour Finances
Boulevard dujardin botanique, 50-Bte37
1010 Brussels
Tel: 32+2+210.31.64
Fax: 32+2+210.32.47
(b) Suspension oftherelease ordetention ofgoods maybeauthorized during aperiod of10working
daysfrom thedateoftheapplicant 'snotification inorder toallow theowner oftherighttoprovide
evidence ofreferral ofthecasetothelegalauthority competent totakeasubstantive decision.
(c) Proof ofthestatus ofowner oftheright, which must accompany therequest, consists of:IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
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- Proof ofregistration;
- proof ofdeposit;
- anyevidence proving thestatus ofauthor ororiginal owner.
Thefirsttwomeans mentioned (proof ofregistration andproof ofdeposit) apply totheowners
oftrademarks orindustrial design rights. Forboththeserights, thetwomeans ofproof mustbetaken
intoconsideration. Ifthesupporting document isaBenelux certificate ofdeposit issued more than
oneyearpreviously, however, proof thatthecertificate isstillvalid isrequired.
Regarding thethirdmeans ofproof cited, Article 6.2oftheLawof30June1994oncopyright
andneighbouring rights provides that: "Unless otherwise proved, theauthor shallbedeemed tobe
theperson identified assuchonthework withhisownname orasignpermitting hisidentification."
Ifthere isadispute, proof istheresponsibility oftheinfringer (defendant), whomust usealllegal
means toshow thattheperson claiming tobetheowner oftherightisnotinfacttheowner.
Attention ishowever drawn tothefollowing special cases:
- Works ofcollaboration: forjointworks ofcollaboration andworks ofcollaboration
thatcanbeseparated, covered byArticles 4and5oftheaforementioned Law
respectively, itwillbenoted thattherights belong totheco-authors (ortheirsuccessors
intitle)for70years afterthedeath ofthelastsurviving co-author;
- anonymous andpseudonymous works: anonymous works (which donotbearany
indication oftheauthor 'sname) orpseudonymous works (where theauthor conceals
hisidentity under aborrowed name) mayappear tobeexceptions totherulethatthe
original owner isthecreator. Since thetrueauthor isnecessarily unknown, ithad
tobedetermined whowould betheowner oftherights inrelation tothirdparties and
especially whohadtheright toinstitute legal proceedings. Inthisparticular case,
Article 6.3oftheaforementioned Lawprovides thatthepublisher ofananonymous
orpseudonymous work isdeemed tobetheauthor inrelation tothirdparties. This
assumption isonlyvalidinrelation tothirdparties. Inother words, thecreator isstill
theowner oftherights inrelation tothepublisher, unless heassigns hisrights tothe
latter;
- posthumous works: Article 2.6oftheaforementioned Lawstates thatanyperson who,
afterexpiryofcopyrightprotection(70yearsaftertheauthor'sdeath),lawfullypublishes
orcommunicates tothepublic forthefirsttimeaworknotpreviously published benefits
from protection equal totheauthor 'seconomic rights. Ittherefore follows that,for
posthumous works published lessthan70years afterthedeath oftheauthor, theheirs
orlegatees remain theowners ofrights inthework.
With regard tothetitleunder which aperson whoisnottheowner oftherightisauthorized
toutilize theright, boththeharmonized Benelux Laws ontrade marks andindustrial designs aswell
astheCommunity trademark regulations provide thatthegranting ofarightofusemustbethesubject
ofalicensing agreement andthat,inorder tobeusedasevidence against third parties, itmust be
registered inthetrademark register (ortheindustrial design register, whichever isrelevant). Aperson
claiming thetitlereferred toinArticle 2(b)oftheimplementing regulations mustprovide proof that
hisrighttoalicence hasbeenentered intheregister. Inaddition, thetrade mark procedure includes
aspecial category oftrade marks whose useisauthorized foraspecified group ofpersons. These
arecollective trade marks, which areregistered assuchinthename ofanassociation orgroup of
enterprises. Deposit ofsuchtrademarks mustbeaccompanied byregulations onuseofthetrademark
indicating thepersons authorized touseitontheirproducts. Inthisparticular case(ofrather limitedIP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page26
scope), thetitleoflegitimate userofthetrademark mustbeproved inconformity withtheregulations
onusedeposited.
Iftherepresentative isbound byanagency contract totheowner oftherightoranyother person
authorizedtousetherightssetoutinCouncilRegulation(EC)No.3295/94,hemayprovehisentitlement
asarepresentative bypresenting apower ofattorney signed bytheprincipal. Thepower ofattorney
maybeaprivate agreement oranauthenticated agreement (seeArticle 1985 oftheCivil Code).
Iftheperson represents acommercial company oracommercial-type non-trading company,
hemayprove hisstatus asarepresentative ofthecompany bypresenting acopyoftheactsofassociation
(statutes ofthecompany) oracopyoftheirpublication intheOfficial Journal ofthecountry where
thecompany hasitsheadquarters.
Under theBenelux system ofharmonized laws, anynatural orlegalperson mayrepresent an
applicant provided thathepresents apower ofattorney. Thisobligation alsoapplies tolawyers
responsible forapplying foratrademark orindustrial design right. InBelgium, however, thegeneral
lawonlegalproceedings states thatalawyer registered withthebarisdeemed torepresent hisclient
because hehasthesupporting documents. Itappears logical toapply thisruletotheactofalawyer
infiling theapplication referred toinRegulation No.3295/94. Where relevant, themeasures taken
bythecustoms authorities must befollowed bylegalproceedings.
Article 73oftheLaw of30June 1994 onCopyright andNeighbouring Rights
(M.B. 27July1994, err.M.B. 22November 1994) states that"societies administering rights have
therighttoinstitute legalproceedings todefend therights thatarestatutorily theirresponsibility".
(d) Security equivalent tothecustoms orstatistical value ofthegoods, according towhether or
notthegoods arefrom theCommunity, foraminimum amount ofBF100,000 mustbeprovided by
theowner oftherightwithin 10working daysfollowing suspension ofthegoods. Thesecurity isto
cover costs suchasstorage anddamages payable totheimporter ifitisproved thatthegoods arenot
counterfeit orpirated.
(e) Inapplication oftheprovisions onprofessional secrecy inArticle 320oftheGeneral Customs
andExcise Law, coordinated on18July1977, asample ofthegoods maybeinspected bytheowner
oftherightbutnoother information maybegiven tohim.
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity ofdecisions
bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofreecirculation?
Nofeesarepayable forprocessing therequest when itismade bytheowner oftheright.
Thedecision granting therequest foraction made bytheowner oftheright isvalid for
sixmonths andrenewable upon request.
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
Counterfeit orpirated goods forwhich norequest foraction hasbeenfiledbytheowner of
therightmaybedetained forthree working days. Before expiry ofthisperiod, theowner oftheright
mustsubmit arequest foraction: ifhedoesnot,thegoods arereleased following completion ofcustoms
formalities.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page27
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
Without prejudice totheother rights ofaction opentotheowner ofatrademark which isfound
tohavebeencounterfeited ortheowner ofacopyright orneighbouring rightorofanindustrial design
right which isfound tohavebeenpirated, Member States takethemeasures necessary toallow the
competent authorities:
- Asageneral ruleandinaccordance withtherelevant provisions ofdomestic law,to
destroy goods found tobecounterfeit orpirated ordispose ofthemoutside commercial
channels insuch awayastopreclude injury totheowner oftheright, without
compensation ofanysortandatnocosttotheExchequer;
- totake, inrespect ofsuchgoods, anyother measures which effectively deprive the
persons concerned oftheeconomic benefits ofthetransaction.
Thefollowing inparticular arenotregarded ashaving sucheffect:
- Re-exporting thecounterfeit orpirated goods intheunaltered state;
- other thaninexceptional cases, simply removing thetrade marks which havebeen
affixed tothecounterfeit goods without authorization.
IV. CRIMINAL PROCEDURES
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Article 1ofthePenal Code contemplates three types ofpunishable acts:
"Anactthatincurs aserious penalty under thelawisacrime.
Anactthatincurs acorrectional penalty under thelawisanoffence.
Anactthatincurs aminor penalty under thelawisabreach."
Infringements ofdedicated intellectual property lawsaregenerally classified asoffences.
Offences aretriedbycourts offirstinstance (described ascorrectional courts) (Article 179oftheCode
ofCriminal Procedure).
Itisnoteworthy thatpolice courts havejurisdiction totryoffences thathavebeenclassified
asbreaches (Article 137oftheCode ofCriminal Procedure).
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
(a) Copyright andneighbouring rights
(SeeChapter VIII,section 2ofthelawof30June1994oncopyright andneighbouring rights,
published intheMoniteur Belge of27July1994).
Article 80ofthelawunder reference describes theoffence ofinfringement andsimilar offences.
Itreads asfollows:IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page28
"Any malicious orfraudulent breach ofcopyright orneighbouring rights constitutes theoffence
ofinfringement.
Thesame applies tothemalicious orfraudulent useofthename ofanauthor ortheholder
ofaneighbouring rightoranydistinctive signadopted byhimtoidentify hisworkorhisservice;
anyobjects thusproduced shallbedeemed tobecounterfeit.
Those whoknowingly sell,hire,make available forsaleorhire,keepinstorage forhireor
sale,orintroduce counterfeit goods intoBelgian territory forcommercial purposes shallbe
guilty ofthesame offence".
Comment: Theprovisions ofBook 1ofthePenal Code shallapply. Thismeans thattherules
ofordinary criminal lawinregard toparticipation, repeated offences, attenuating
circumstances, andsoon,areapplicable.
(b) Trademarks
(SeeArticles 8to14ofthelawof1April 1879 concerning trademarks, published inthe
Moniteur Belge of3April 1879).
Thefollowing arepunishable under Article 8oftheaforementioned law:
"A. Those whohaveinfringed atrademark andthose whohavemade fraudulent useof
acounterfeit trademark;
B. Those whohavefraudulently affixed toormade toappear onproducts theyhave
produced orinwhich theytradeatrademark belonging toanother, whether byadding
orremoving some partthereof orbyanykindofalteration;
C. Those whohaveknowingly sold, placed onsaleorincirculation products bearing a
counterfeit trademark oratrademark fraudulently affixed tothem."
Comment: Theprovisions ofBook 1ofthePenal Code shallnotapply. Articles 9,10and11
oftheLawof1879contain provisions regarding thetreatment ofparticipation, repeated
offences andattenuating circumstances.
(c) Geographical indications
(SeeChapter IIIentitled "Registered designation oforigin" ofthelawof14July1991ontrade
practices andconsumer information andprotection, published intheMoniteur belge of
29August 1991.)
Based onArticle 20oftheaforementioned law,itisforbidden:
"1. touseadescription bypresenting itasaregistered designation oforigin when such
description hasnotbeenrecognised asaregistered designation oforigin;
2. tomanufacture, offerforsaleandsellunder aregistered designation oforigin, products
thatdonotmeet theprerequisites established fortherecognition ofaregistered
designation oforigin;IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page29
3. tomanufacture, offer forsaleandsellunder adesignation oforigin, products not
covered byacertificate oforigin when suchacertificate isrequired."
Comment: Theprovisions ofBook 1ofthePenal Code shall apply (Article 110ofthe
above-mentioned lawontrade practices.
(d) Industrial designs
There arenospecific criminal provisions inthisregard.
(e) Patents
There arenospecific criminal provisions inthisregard.
(f) Layout-designs (topographies) ofintegrated circuits
There arenospecific criminal provisions inthisregard.
(g) Protection ofundisclosed information
Byprohibiting "anyactcontrary tohonest tradepractices bywhich aseller harms ormaycause
harm totheprofessional interests ofoneormore other sellers", Article 93oftheLawof14July1994
ontrade practices andconsumer information andprotection provides protection fortrade secrets.
Thisisnotacriminal lawprovision inthestrict sense. Theaffected party maybring anaction
forsuspension before thecommercial court. "Those whodonotcomply withajudgement oradecision
handed down (...)asaresult ofanaction forsuspension", shallbesubject toafineofBF200,000
toBF4,000,00018(Article 104oftheabove-mentioned law).
(h) Control ofanti-competitive practices incontractual licences
Thelawof5August 1991ontheprotection ofeconomic competition (published intheMoniteur
belge of11October 1991) provided forasystem ofadministrative sanctions against practices thatrestrict
competition.
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
Under Article 1ofthelawof17April 1878 containing thepreliminary titleoftheCode of
Criminal Procedure, itistheMinistry ofHome Affairs thatmayinitiate criminal prosecution.
Asregards trademarks, public proceedings canonlybeinitiated asaresult ofacomplaint by
theinjured party (Article 14ofthelawof1April 1879 ontrademarks).
Fortheother offences, theMinistry ofHome Affairs mayinitiate proceedings exofficio .
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings andifso,who?
18Theamounts given aretherealamounts. Thismeans thataccount hasbeentaken ofArticle 1oftheLaw
of5March 1952 (published intheMoniteur belge of3April 1952, latest amendment doneon24December 1993,
published on31December 1993) providing thattheamount ofthefines shall beincreased by1,990 décimes.IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page30
Anyperson maynotify theauthorities ofbreaches ofwhich theyareaware.
Obviously, mere denunciation doesnot,strictly speaking, initiate criminal proceedings. The
Ministry ofHome Affairs shallindependently decide ontheappropriate course ofaction tobetaken
inresponse todenunciations.
Under thelawontrademarks, criminal proceedings canonlybeinitiated when acomplaint
isfiledbytheaggrieved party.
Anyaggrieved person mayinitiate criminal proceedings bysuing fordamages before atrial
judge, (Article 63oftheCode ofCriminal Procedure).
Itshould benoted thatArticle 73ofthelawoncopyright andneighbouring rights provides
thatsocieties administering rights mayinitiate legalaction indefence oftherights forwhich theyare
statutorily responsible.
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- Imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure, forfeiture anddestruction ofinfringing goods andmaterials andimplements
fortheirproduction;
- other.
(a) Copyright andneighbouring rights
(SeeChapter VIII,Section 2ofthelawof30June1994oncopyright andneighbouring rights)
1. Imprisonment
(SeeArticle 81oftheabove-mentioned law)
Anyrepetition oftheoffence ofcounterfeiting orother similar offences shallbepunished by
imprisonment ranging from3months to2years (andbyafineofbetween BF20,000 andBF20,000,000
oranyoneofthese penalties).
Comment: Imprisonment isforeseen onlyincases ofrepeated offences.
2. Monetary fines
(SeeArticle 81ofthelawunder reference)
Theoffence ofcounterfeiting andsimilar offences aresubject toafineofbetween BF20,000
andBF20,000,000.
Repeat offenders shallbepunished byimprisonment (ranging from3months to2years) and
afineranging from BF20,000 toBF20,000,000, oroneofthese penalties only.
3. Seizure
(SeeArticle 82ofthelaw30June1994)IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page31
Anyproceeds received from thefraudulent execution orrepresentation ofcopyright ora
neighbouring rightmaybeseized asobjects ofcriminal origin. They shallbeawarded totheclaimant
inproportion totheshare thathiswork orservice would havehadintherepresentation orexecution
andshallbetaken intoaccount inevaluating compensation.
Inaddition tothisprovision ofthelawof1994, noteshould alsobetaken ofArticle 42.3of
thePenal Code, which states: "Any pecuniary benefits derived directly fromtheoffence, anygoods
andvaluables thathavereplaced them andanyrevenue derived from theinvestment ofsuchbenefits
shallbesubject tospecial forfeiture."
4. Other
Thecourt mayorder thepublication ofthejudgement (Article 83ofthesame law).
Iftheoffence isrepeated, thecourt mayorder thedefinitive ortemporary closure ofthe
establishment usedbytheindicted person. (Article 85oftheabove-mentioned law).
(b) Trademarks
(SeeArticles 8to14ofthelawof1April 1879 concerning trademarks)
1. Imprisonment
Anyone whohascommitted oneoftheoffences outlined inArticle 8oftheaforementioned
law(seeanswer toquestion 21)shallincur aprison sentence ranging from 8daysto6months (and
afineofbetween BF5,200 andBF400,000), oroneofthese penalties only.
2. Monetary fines
Anyone whohascommitted oneoftheoffences outlined inArticle 8oftheaforementioned
law(seeanswer toquestion 21)shallbesubject toaprison sentence ranging from8daysto6months
(andafineofbetween BF5,200 andBF400,000), ortooneofthese penalties only.
3. Seizure/forfeiture/destruction
Article 12ofthelaw1879 isquoted hereunder:
"Products bearing acounterfeit trademark orafraudulently affixed trademark, aswellasthe
tools andimplements usedtocommit theoffence maybeconfiscated, entirely orinpart,if
theyareinpossession oftheoffender.
Theconfiscated objects maybeawarded totheplaintiff suing fordamages, oruptotheamount
ofthedamages.
Inallcases, thecourt mayorder thedestruction oftheinfringing goods".
Together withthisprovision ofthelawof1879, account must alsobetaken ofArticle 42,
3ofthePenal Code, which states: "Any pecuniary benefit derived directly fromtheoffence, anygoods
andvaluables thathavereplaced suchbenefits andanyrevenue derived from theinvestment ofsuch
benefits shallbesubject tospecial forfeiture."IP/N/6/BEL/1/Rev.1
Page32
4. Other
Thecourt mayorder thepublication oftheruling (Article 13ofthelawunder reference).
(c) Geographical indications
Article 103ofthelaw14July1991ontradepractices andconsumer information andprotection
provides forafineofbetween BF100,000 andBF4,000,000 onanyone whomaliciously infringes
aregistered designation oforigin.
(d) Industrial designs
There arenocriminal sanctions inthisregard.
(e) Patents
Idem.
(f) Layout-designs (topographies) ofintegrated circuits
Idem.
(g) Undisclosed information
Seeanswer toquestion 21(g)
(h) Control ofanti-competitive practices incontractual licenses
Seeanswer toquestion 21(h)
25. Describe provisions governing thelength andanycostofproceedings Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Pursuant toArticle 21ofthepreliminary titleoftheCode ofCriminal Procedure, legal
proceedings shall bebarred bylimitation after fiveyears asfrom thedaywhen theoffence was
committed.
Iftheoffence hasbeendowngraded toabreach, thetime-frame willbeoneyearonly.
Limitation mayonlybeinterrupted forthepurposes ofinvestigations orprosecutions (Article 22
ofthepreliminary title). Asimilar time-period (fiveyears oroneyeardepending onthecase) will
starttorunfollowing interruption oflimitation. Intheevent oftheinterruption oflimitation, the
time-period cannot exceed twice theperiod oflimitation initially envisaged.
Theeffective duration ofproceedings willdepend onthecomplexity ofthematter, theattitude
oftheparties andthecourt'scase-load.
Inthisconnection itisimportant totakeaccount ofthepractice oftheEuropean Court ofHuman
Rights asregards therightofevery person tohavetheircaseheard within areasonable period oftime.
Itisnotpossible togiveageneral answer tothequestion ofthecostofcriminal proceedings.