WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/LIE/1
18February 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-0638)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from Liechtenstein
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
Liechtenstein hasonlyoneCourt District. There arethree instances: theLandgericht (First
instance District Court), theObergericht (Court ofAppeals) andtheOberster Gerichtshof (Supreme
Court). Incases touching constitutional questions, theStaatsgerichtshof (Constitutional Court) may
bethelastinstance. Infringement cases fallintothecompetence ofthese courts.
2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytheright holder?
Anyrightholder mayassert hisrights. Anatural person doesnothavetoberepresented in
court. Acompany orother moral person willusually berepresented according toherminutes of
incorporation, etc.Inanycase, theymayberepresented byanattorney admitted inLiechtenstein.
Ifthejudge decides toasktherightholder (orhis/her/its organs) personally, failing presence willbe
athis/her/its charge.
According to§371ZPO(Civil Procedure Code) thegiving ofevidence intheformofhaving
aparty interrogated maybeordered uponrequest orexofficio .Taking evidence byajudge requested
todosoispermissible onlyifthepersonal appearance ofaparty meets withinsurmountable obstacles
orwould involve outofallproportion highcosts.
There isnoobligation foraparty toappear before court. Where aparty summoned toappear
foraninterrogation does notshow upwithout furnishing sufficient reasons inaccordance with
§381ZPO, thecourtmustdecide astowhatinfluence thisbehaviour istohaveasregards thediscovery
ofevidence, dulytaking intoaccount allcircumstances.
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
(a) Inaccordance with§183,para.1,No.2ZPO, thejudge mayorder thatapartysubmits
documents orother objects forjudicial inspection initspossession. Iftheparty does
notmeettheorder,thiscanonlybetakenintoconsiderationattheevaluationofevidence.
1Document IP/C/5IP/N/6/LIE/1
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(b) Ifaparty claims thatadocument containing anessential piece ofevidence isinthe
hands oftheopponent (orathirdparty), thecourt mayupontherequest oftheclaiming
party order theopponent (orthethirdparty) topresent suchdocument. Information
material andprobably alsopictures andsound carriers areplaced atanequal footing
withdocuments (§318ZPO).
Insuchcases theopponent mayrefuse presentation ofthedocument only:
- ifitrefers tofamily matters;
- ifthepresentation would violate anobligation ofhonour;
- ifdisclosure ofthedocument would betothedetriment oftheparty orofthirdpersons
ormight entail danger ofprosecution;
- ifbypresenting thedocument theparty would violate itsdutytoobserve secrecy;
or
- ifthereareother material obstacles justifying refusal ofpresentation ofthedocument.
Butiftheopponent (orthethirdparty) isobliged topresent thedocument according tocivil
law,ifthedocument byitscontent isacommon document ofbothparties (adocument isconsidered
acommon oneifitiswritten intheinterest ofallparties concerned ordocuments themutual legal
relations) orifalsotheopponent hasreferred toitforthepurpose ofgiving evidence, theopponent
(orthethirdparty) must submit thedocument.
Theorder totheopponent tosubmit thedocument isnotexecutable (contrary toanorder of
presentation issued toathird party). Iftheopponent doesnotfulfil hisdutyofdisclosure ofthe
document orhasonpurpose destroyed orotherwise invalidated it,theinfluence ofsuchadeedonthe
judgement ofthecaselieswithin thediscretion ofthejudge.
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Procedural lawinLiechtenstein doesnotprovide foranyspecial marking orprotection of
confidential evidence.
Inaccordance with§172ZPOthepublic istobeexcluded exofficio ifpublic morals orpublic
order seem tobeindanger oriffactsoffamily lifeneedtobediscussed andproven.
Inaccordance with§219ZPO theparties mayinspect procedural records, alsointhecase
ofprocedural records ofother courts orintellectual property rights material submitted bywitnesses.
Third parties haveaccess toinspection onlyupontheconsent ofbothparties orintheevent thatthey
canfurnish prima facieevidence oftheirlegalinterest.
5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
- injunctions;
- damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees;
- destructionorotherdisposalofinfringinggoodsand
materials/implements fortheir production;
- anyother remedies.IP/N/6/LIE/1
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Anyone whose exclusive rights under copyright lawwere infringed may:
- lodge aclaim forinjunction, alsoiftheinfringement ismerely tobeanticipated;
- lodge aclaim fordiscontinuation ofthestatus quoconstituting aviolation ofthelaw
(thisincludes destruction oftheobjects ofencroachment andalsotherendering unusable
ofthemeans ofencroachment, i.e.themeans exclusively used fortheillegal
duplication);
- under certain conditions request thepublication ofacourt decision ontheclaim for
discontinuance anddestruction;
- where anexploitation rightisconcerned, request reasonable compensation;
- inthecaseofguilty violation ofthelawrequest thereplacement oftheproperty damage
including thelostprofit plusareasonable compensation forthedisadvantages not
consisting inlossofmoney.
Furthermore, aperson entitled tocompensation mayrequest fromtheperson sentenced topay
areasonable remuneration, areasonable compensation, damages, and/or profits made.
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany, dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform theright holder oftheidentity ofthird persons involved inthe
production anddistribution ofthegoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheir
channels ofdistribution?
Arighttoinformation isnotprovided forinthetwoinstances mentioned inthequestion.
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat
"remedial measures" areapplicable tothem?
Inaccordance with§41ZPOtheparty fullylosing anaction mustremunerate allopponents
forallthecosts incurred foranadequate prosecution anddefence during thecourt proceedings. If
theclaim seems nottobeprobable enough, thejudge hasthediscretion todemand security fromthe
plaintiff. Furthermore, thedefendant mayclaim damages. Incaseofamalicious suing oftheplaintiff,
heispunishable byafineuptoSwF. 1,000 additionally.
Iftheendangered party isdeprived oftheclaim forwhich theinterim injunction wasgranted,
iftherequest isproved unjustified oriftheparty doesnotmeetthedeadline forbringing anaction
orinstitutingtheexecution,thepartyhavingobtainedtheinteriminjunctionmustindemnifytheopponent
forallmonetary disadvantages suffered from theinterim injunction. Iftheinterim injunction was
obviously brought about outof(pure) mischief, theparty mustbepunished witharespective fineto
beassessed individually indueconsideration ofthecircumstances ofacaseuponrequest oftheopponent.
Asfarasthestateliability isconcerned, asreferred tointhesecond sentence ofquestion 7,itcan
bepointed outthatinaccordance withArticle 1oftheStateLiability Act(AHG), LawGazette, 1966,
No.24andaccording totheprovisions oftheCivil Law, thegovernment andtheother legalentities
areliable fordamage caused bypersons acting asorgans executing thelawbyillegal behaviour towards
whomever. Thisliability alsoextends tonegligence. Damages canonlybemade interms ofmoney.
Nolimitation inrespect oftheamount oftheliability isforeseen. Theacting organ isnotpersonally
liable totheperson whosuffered thedamage.IP/N/6/LIE/1
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8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
(a) Duration ofproceedings
Thefollowing concentration measures should beemphasized: thecollection ofmaterial rests
withthefirstinstance; theprohibition ofrenewal applies tothehigher instances. Theprinciple of
oralpresentation helps tostreamline proceedings; inaccordance with§257ZPOprepared written
statements ofthecaseareonlypermissible uptothestartofthedispute proceedings. Hearings and
deadlines mustbestipulated exofficio .Although inaccordance with§179ZPOtheparties maysubmit
newstatements andpieces ofevidence untiltheendoftheoralproceedings, suchbehaviour maybe
declared improper ifthenewapplications andpieces ofevidence wereobviously notoffered earlier
forthepurpose ofdelaying theproceedings andiftheiradmission would, inactual fact,essentially
prolong theproceedings. Acceptance ofevidence offered may, inaccordance with§275ZPO, be
refused upon request orexofficio ,ifthecourt gains theconviction thatsuchevidence isonlyoffered
inorder toprolong theproceedings. Where theacceptance ofapieceofevidence meets withtheobstacle
ofuncertain duration, thecourt must, upon request, fixaduedateaftertheexpiry ofwhich the
proceedings arecontinued irrespective ofanyevidence notyetfurnished. Ifstatements orevidence
arefurnished outoftime, thecourt may, upon request orexofficio ,charge theparty concerned, also
iftheparty winsthecase, withtheindemnification inpartorinfullofthecosts oftheproceedings
(cost fine) inaccordance with§44ZPO, orcharge itforthecosts incurred (cost separation) in
accordance with§48ZPO. Theparty having caused adelayed duedateoraprolonged hearing must
becharged withthecosts incurred therefor inaccordance with§142ZPO.
ThelastcaseonIPRinLiechtenstein courts wascommenced inspring 1995; thefirstinstance
sentence rendered insummer 1995, thesecond instance sentence inDecember 1995. Actually the
caseispending inthethirdinstance.
(b) Costs
Costs depend onthevalue incause. There isaseparation between thelawyer 'stariff andthe
court fees. Bothareregulated inactsandordinances respectively. Thecostsofaproceeding comprise
thecourt fees(including alsoother costsincurred) andallother costs(inparticular therepresentation
costs ofthelawyer).
Thefeetobepaidtothestatefortheexecution oftheproceedings depends onthevalue in
dispute. Itisalump sumperinstance appealed toforthedecision andafeefortheprotocol depending
ontheduration oftheproceedings, inparticular thenumber andduration ofcourt hearings.
Tothismustbeadded possibly further costs (inparticular thecosts incurred forexperts and
feespaidtowitnesses), theamount ofwhich cannot evenbeapproximated inview ofthedifferent
circumstances encountered ineachprocedure.
Thecosts ofthelawyer arecalculated according toasystem ofratesgraded onthebasis of
thevalue indispute. Quota-litis agreements arenotpermitted.
If,inthecontext oftheabove-mentioned proceedings, thevalue indispute cannot bemarked
withfigures, itusually amounts toSwF. 100,000 asfixedbyanordinance oftheChamber ofAttorneys.
Duetothelackofrespective international agreements, except withAustria andSwitzerland,
aforeign party usually willbeliable togivesecurity forthecostsoftheproceeding andtheattorney.IP/N/6/LIE/1
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(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
Administrative procedures arenotprovided forinthefieldofintellectual property rights law.
Provisional Measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
TheIPRlawsprovide forprovisional measures (Art. 51URG, Art.30MSchG [current version
oftheTrademark Act], Art.57nMSchG [revised Trademark Act]2,Art.28MMG).
Inaccordance with§270EO(Execution Act)thecourt may, upon request, issue aninterim
injunction inorder tosecure therights ofaparty before andduring proceedings andalsoduring the
execution process. Interim injunctions maybeissued inorder tosecure pecuniary claims andalso
other claims. Interim injunctions inorder tosecure pecuniary claims arenotpermissible inasfaras
theparty can,forthesame purpose, obtain execution procedures ontheproperty oftheopponent.
Such interim injunctions mayotherwise beissued ifthere istheprobability thatintheirabsence the
opponent would behave inawaysoastorender thecollection oftheoutstanding money difficult or
impossible fortheendangered party, orifthesentence would havetobeexecuted abroad. Thesecurity
measures tobeissued maybethefollowing:
- thecustody andadministration ofmovable physical objects oftheopponent ofthe
endangered party;
- totalprohibition oftransfer orpawning ofmovable physical objects;
- inhibition ofthirdparties (theopponent oftheendangered party isdenied allforms
ofdisposition inrespect oftheclaim andthird parties areordered nottomake any
payments duetotheopponent oftheendangered party untilfurther notice, nottohand
overobjects theopponent isentitled toanddonothing whatsoever which might render
anexecution difficult orimpossible).
Interim injunctions toprovide security forother rights maybeissued ifandwhen itistobe
anticipated thatintheirabsence theprosecution orrecovery oftheclaim inquestion might berendered
verydifficult oraltogether impossible. Oneofthecomplications referred tointhiscontext would be
theexecution ofthesentence abroad. Oralsoifsuchaninjunction appears necessary inorder toprevent
thethreat ofviolence orirrecoverable damage.
Aninterim injunction ordering theprevention ofaviolation ofintellectual property rights or
related rights, patent rights, trademark rights, model rights orsemi-conductor rights mayalsobeissued
ifthese pre-conditions donotexist.
2Therevised Trademark Actwillenter intoforce on31March 1997.IP/N/6/LIE/1
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11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
Theopponent ofanendangered person neednotbegiven theopportunity ofcommenting on
therequested interim injunction prior toitsissue. Arequest fortheissueofaninterim injunction is,
inprinciple, decided onexclusively onthebasis oftheevidence furnished bytheendangered party.
Inextremely urgent cases, suchmeasures maybeordered byother instances as,e.g.,police
officers, communal officers, execution officers, etc.Those measures havetobefollowed byanaction
brought tocourt within twodays(Art. 272EO).
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect the
legitimate interests ofthedefendant.
Intherequest fortheissue ofaninterim injunction, theendangered party must specify the
injunction desired, thetimeperiod forwhich itisrequested, aswellastheclaim stated oralready
adjudicated andtruthfully andindetail indicate allfactstheapplication isbased on.Intheabsence
ofsatisfactory evidence forthestated claim, aninterim injunction maybeissued ifthedisadvantages
theopponent isthreatened withmaybecompensated forbyapecuniary indemnification andtheapplicant
deposits therespective sumasfixedbythecourt. Thecourt maymake theissueofaninterim injunction
dependent onsuchasecurity deposit alsoifthefurnished evidence issatisfactory.
Inthedecision bywhich aninterim injunction isissued, thetimeperiod forwhich theinjunction
isvalid mustbeindicated. Ifaninterim injunction isgranted prior totheeffective datefortherights
claimed bytheapplying party orotherwise prior totheinstigation ofproceedings oroftheexecution,
thedecision must indicate areasonable deadline forfiling aclaim orforapplying foranexecution
permit. Upon expiry oftheduedatewithout anyresult, theinjunction mustberevoked upon request
orexofficio .
Theexecution ofagranted injunction isnotpermissible, unless itispostponed byanappeal
lodged, ifmore thanonemonth elapsed since thedaythepermission wasannounced orforwarded
totheapplicant.
Theopponent oftheendangered party may,ifnotheard priortothedecision being taken, lodge
opposition within aperiod of14days. Thishasnoeffect ontheexecution oftheinjunction issued,
however.
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Asregards thecosts ofproceedings, please seetheanswer toquestion 8,litb.Nodataare
available inrespect ofthetypical duration ofproceedings oninterim injunctions inmatters ofintellectual
property rights.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
Noadministrative provisional measures areprovided forintheintellectual property rights laws.IP/N/6/LIE/1
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Special Requirements Related toBorder Measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable
alsoinrespect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other
thancounterfeit trademark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement
(footnote toArticle 51). Specify, together withrelevant criteria, anyimports excluded
from theapplication ofsuchprocedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms
union, goods intransit ordeminimis imports). Dotheprocedures apply toimports of
goods putonthemarket inanother country byorwiththeconsent oftheright holder
andtogoods destined forexportation?
Border measures willbeintroduced inLiechtenstein withthenewTrademark Act(mentioned
intheanswer toquestion 10)which hasbeenadopted byparliament andshall enter intoforce on
31March1997.AstheOrdinanceonCertainIPRsholdstheprovisionsoftheTrademarkActapplicable
totheCopyright Actandtheimport andexport oftopographies, thesesubjects willbecovered aswell.
TheDesigns Actisabout tobeamended withthesame stipulation referring totheborder measures
oftheTrademark Act. Inpatent law,thenearly identical provisions oftheSwiss Patent Actapply
duetothecommon patent treaty.
Theprovisions ofthenewTrademark Actauthorize thecompetent border-control institution
tonotify theimport orexport ofcounterfeited products only(Art. 68).Thisdoesnotcomprise other
cases as,e.g.,parallel imports.
Ithastobenoted thatLiechtenstein andSwitzerland form acommon customs territory.
16. Provide adescription ofthemain elements oftheprocedures relating tothesuspension
oftherelease ofgoods bycustoms authorities, inparticular thecompetent authorities
(Article 51),therequirements foranapplication (Article 52)andvarious requirements
related totheduration ofsuspension (Article 55). How have Articles 53(security or
equivalent assurance), 56(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofthegoods)
and57(right ofinspection andinformation) been implemented?
Theendangered party mayapply forthesuspension oftherelease intofreecirculation bywrit.
Theparty may,uponrequest ofthecompetent instance, havetogivesecurity (Art. 69).Thecompetent
instance maywithhold thegoods during tendays. Thisdelay maybeextended toanother tendays
incertain cases (Art. 70). Aparty wrongfully enjoined mayclaim damages (Art. 70).
Information onthecompetent authority willbefurnished assoonastherelevant ordinance
willbeadopted.
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity of
decisions bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofree
circulation?
Noinformation canbefurnished atthetimebeing inrespect ofthelength andcostof
proceedings.IP/N/6/LIE/1
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18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
Sofarthere arenoprovisions foranexofficio action onthepartofthecustoms authorities
(seeanswer toquestion 15).
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
Seeanswer toquestion 15.
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Thesame asincivilproceedings (seeanswer toquestion 1).
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Acriminal offence according toArts. 42and43oftheCopyright Act(URG) andtheOrdinance
onCertain Intellectual Property Rights iscommitted byaperson whointentionally andunauthorized
makes useofawork ofliterature orartinawayreserved totheauthor; presents orperforms awork
ofliterature ormusic contrary tolegalprovisions ordistributes thelatter; broadcasts thepresentation
orperformance ofawork ofliterature ormusic viaradio orpublicly reproduces it;makes useofa
picture orasound carrier inawayreserved totheowner ofthecopyright orillicitly makes useof
abroadcast; furthermore, infringes therights incomputer programs anddoesnotquote correctly,
misuses thename orother designation ofanauthor orpublishes apersonal picture without theconsent
ofthephotographed.
Acriminal offence according toArt.24oftheTrademark Act(MSchG) iscommitted bya
person whointentionally, inawaythatmight cause aconfusion inbusiness, andwithout authorization
usesaregistered trademark orasignsimilar tothetrademark formaking goods orservices, forwhich
thetrademark wasregistered, orgoods orservices ofthesame kindoftransactions, oroffers such
goods forsaleorputsthem onthemarket; furthermore, whounauthorized usesaname, acompany
name orthespecial designation ofacompany orasignsimilar tosuchdesignations formarking goods
orservices, oroffers suchgoods forsaleorputsthem onthemarket.
Theintentional infringement ofamodel right(Art. 24MMG) orasemiconductor protection
right(Art. 15Ordinance onCertain Intellectual Property Rights) alsoconstitutes acriminal offence.
Liability extends alsotoorgans ofalegalperson infringing intellectual property rights.
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
Inallthecasesquoted, theoffender istobeprosecuted onlyuponrequest bytheperson offended;
itisalways aprivate criminal offence.
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Seeanswer toquestion 22.IP/N/6/LIE/1
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24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production;
- other.
Criminal offences inaccordance withtheintellectual property rights lawarepunishable by
imprisonment ofuptosixmonths orfinesupto360daily rates. Punishment forallother criminal
offences referred toabove isafineofupto360daily rates. ThenewTrademark Act(mentioned in
theanswer toquestion 10)evenprovides forimprisonment uptooneyearandintentional infringement
("trademark fraud"; Art.60newTrademark Act)ispunishable byimprisonment uptofiveyears.
Furthermore, alllawsmentioned provide forthedestruction andrendering unusable ofobjects
andmeans encroached upontherequest oftheplaintiff andauthorization ofthewinning partytopublish
thedecision attheexpense ofthesentenced party (seeArts. 53to55URG, Arts. 30and31MSchG
andArts. 28to30MMG). ThenewTrademark Actprovides fortheforfeiture ofthebenefits (Art. 67).
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Nodataavailable.