WORLD TRADE IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
5March 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-0901)
Original: English/French Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
NOTIFICATION OFLAWS AND REGULATIONS UNDER
ARTICLE 63.2OFTHE AGREEMENT
Netherlands
Revision
On15October 1996, thedelegation oftheNetherlands communicated thefollowing
supplementary notification under Article 63.2oftheAgreement totheSecretariat.
_______________
Following thecommunication senttotheSecretariat on9May1996, please findattached:
(I) Anup-dated version ofthelistofmain lawsandregulations ofintellectual property
tobenotified under Article 63.2oftheTRIPS Agreement; and
(II) Thetextsofthefollowing main lawsoftheNetherlands:
Topographies (English, translation)
Actof28October 1987, Containing Regulations fortheProtection ofOriginal
Topographical Designs forSemi-Conductor Products, Statute Book 484,asamended
upto1996.
Trademarks (French, original language)
Projet Protocole portant modification delaLoiUniforme Bénélux surlesMarques,
9février 1996 (M(96)2).
Industrial Designs (French, original language)
Projet Protocole portant modification delaLoiBénélux enmatière deDessins ou
Modèles, 28mars 1995, Tractatenblad 1995, 133.
Projet Protocole portant modification delaLoiUniforme Bénélux enmatière deDessins
ouModèles, 9février 1996 (M(96)3).
Inrespect ofthemainlawsoftheNetherlands intheareaofpatents, reference ismade tothe
WIPO collection oflaws.IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
Page2
ANNEX I
NOTIFICATION OFMAIN LAWS AND REGULATIONS UNDER
ARTICLE 63.2OFTHE TRIPS AGREEMENT
Copyright andrelated rights
Copyright Act1912 (Auteurswet 1912); Lawof18March 1993 containing rules onthe
protection ofperformers, phonogram producers andbroadcasting organizations (Wetopdenaburige
rechten):
- Copyright Act1912 (Auteurswet), asamended upto27October 19722;
- Actof30May1985, adapting the1912 Copyright ActtotheParis ActoftheBerne
Convention2;
- Actof3July1989, amending the1912Copyright Actinconnection withtheprevention
ofpiracy ofworks protected bycopyright1;
- Actof30May1990, amending the1912 Copyright Actconcerning alevyonthe
reproduction ofrecorded images orsound recording forpersonal use,study orpractice2;
- Lawof18March 1993 containing rulesontheprotection ofperformers, phonogram
producers andbroadcasting organizations (Wet opdeNaburige Rechten)2;
- ActofJuly1994, amending theCopyright Actof1912inconnection withtheprotection
ofcomputer programs3;
- Actof21December 1995, amending theCopyright Act1912 andtheActonrelated
rights, along thelineswiththeCouncil Directive 93/98/EEC of29October 1993,
harmonizing thetermofprotection ofcopyright andofcertain related rights (OJL 290
24/11/93)4;
- Actof21December 1995, amending theCopyright Act1912 andtheActonrelated
rights following theCouncil Directive of19November 1992 (OJL 34627/11/92) on
rental rights andlending rights andoncertain related rights inthefiledofintellectual
property4;
- Actof21December 1995, amending theproposals ofactamending theCopyright
Act1912 andtheActonrelated rights following theCouncil Directive 93/98/EEC
of29October 1993, harmonizing thetermofprotection ofcopyright andofcertain
related rights (OJL 29024/11/93) andfollowing theCouncil Directive of
November 1992(OJL 34627/11/92) onrental rights andlending rights andoncertain
related rights intheareaofintellectual property (entry intoforce 1January 1996)4.
1Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocument IP/N/1/NLD/C/1.
2Thetextofthislawcanbefound indocument IP/N/1/NLD/C/2.
3These laws have been submitted inDutch onlypending their translation intoaWTO language.IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
Page3
Trademarks4
- Benelux Convention Concerning Trade Marks, withAnnex (Uniform Benelux Law
onMarks/Eenvormige Beneluxwet opdemerken), Brussels, 19March 1962;
Tractatenblad 1962, 58.
- Protocol of10November 1983Amending theUniform Benelux LawonMarks; entry
intoforce 1January 1987; Tractatenblad 1983, 187(Introduction oftheprotection
ofservice marks) .
- Protocol of2December 1992Amending theUniform Benelux LawonMarks; entry
intoforce 1January 1996; Tractatenblad 1993, 12(Introduction ofprovisions
concerning counterfeiting andimplementation oftheEECDirective ontrademarks) .
- DraftProtocolAmendingtheUniformBeneluxLawonMarks,Brussels,1996,M(96)2
(notyetapproved bythenational parliaments oftheBenelux countries (ratification
expected during 1997) ):
1. Thecircle ofpersons whocanapply forapriority rightintheBenelux countries
willbeextended tothenationals oftheWTO Members (Article 1,paragraph 3
inconnection withArticle 2,paragraph 1,TRIPS Agreement); modifications
inArticles 3,6Dand39oftheLaw;
2. Aparagraphwillbeimplementedprovidingthattrademarksforwinesandspirits
which contain ageographical indication while these wines andspirits donot
originate intheplaceindicated bysuchatrademark, canberefused, invalidated
ordeclared lapsed (Article 23,paragraph 2,TRIPS Agreement); modification
inArticle 4oftheLaw.
Designs5
- BeneluxDesignsConvention,withAnnex(UniformDesignsLaw/EevormigeBeneluxwet
inzake tekeningen enmodellen), Brussels, 25October 1996: Tractatenblad 1996, 292.
- Draft Protocol Amending theBenelux Designs Law, 28March 1995(notyetapproved
bythenationalparliamentsoftheBeneluxcountries(ratificationexpectedduring1997));
Tractatenblad 1995, 133(Introduction ofprovisions concerning counterfeiting ).
- Draft Protocol Amending theBenelux Designs Law, 1996, M(96)3(notyetapproved
bythenationalparliamentsoftheBeneluxcountries(ratificationexpectedduring1997)):
- Thecircle ofpersons whocanapply forapriority rightintheBenelux countries
willbeextended tothenationals oftheWTO Members (Article 1,paragraph 3
inconnection withArticle 2,paragraph 1,TRIPS Agreement); modifications
inArticles 3and8oftheLaw.
4Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/NLD/T/1 andIP/N/1/NLD/T/1/Add.1.
5Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/NLD/D/1 andIP/N/1/NLD/D/1/Add.1.IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
Page4
Geographical indications
- Nospecific main lawongeographical indications (see, however, thesection on
geographical indications under "other lawsandregulations").
Patents6
- Patent Act1910, Stb.1979, 61(forapplications submitted before 1April 1995).
- Actof15December 1994, Stb.1995, 51:
- amendment onseveral subjects;
- entry intoforce 1April 1995.
- Actof14December 1995, Stb.1995, 668:
- technical amendment;
- entry intoforce 29December 1995.
- Patent Act1995, Stb.1995, 51(forapplications submitted from1April 1995):
- newpatent actthatcompletely replaces thePatent Act1910;
- change from anexamination system toaregistration system ofpatent
applications;
- entry intoforce 1April 1995.
- Actof14December 1995, Stb.1995, 668:
- amendment concerning theimplementation oftheTRIPS Agreement;
- entry intoforce 29December 1995.
Modifications:
- Thecircle ofpersons whocanapply forpriority rights intheNetherlands will
beextended tothenationals oftheWTO Members (Article 1,paragraph 3
inconnection withArticle 2,paragraph 1,TRIPS Agreement); modification
inArticle 9.
- New conditions forcompulsory licences (Article 31TRIPS Agreement);
modifications inArticles 57,57a,58and58a).
- Special remedies incaseofinfringement (Article 46TRIPS Agreement);
modification inArticle 70.
6Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/NLD/P/1 and2.IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
Page5
Topographies7
- Actof28October 1987, Containing Regulations fortheProtection ofOriginal
Topographical Designs forSemi-Conductor Products, Statute Book 484,asamended
upto1996.
Protection ofundisclosed information
- Nospecific main lawonundisclosed information (see,however, thesection on
undisclosed information under "other lawsandregulations" ).
7Thetextofthislawcanbefound indocument IP/N/1/NLD/L/1.IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
Page6
ANNEX II
OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Note: DuetotheDutch legislative system, thetextsoftheActsareusually amended andnotreplaced
bynewtexts. Wherever possible, weprovide thedatafortheoriginal Actandthedatawith
respect tothelatest revised editions. Actsmaycurrently beunder review.
TITLE, DATE OFADOPTION AND
PUBLICATION
(STB. ORSTCRT. NUMBER)
DATE OFLATEST REVISION AND
ENTRY INTO FORCEBRIEF DESCRIPTION
Copyright
Royal Decree of12October 1932, Stb.496,
amended 4July1977, Stb.422,entry into
force 28July1977 withretroactive effect as
of26July1976Contains provisions ongovernmental
authorization forthose whoactas
commercial mediators withrespect to
copyright ofmusic.
Decree oftheMinister ofJustice of
24March 1933, Stcrt. 60,entry intoforce on
15April 1933The"Bureau voorMuziekauteursecht",
domiciled inAmsterdam, isappointed
commercial mediator.
Royal Decree of20June1974, Stb.351,
amended 23August 1985, Stb.471,entry
intoforce 5November 1985Contains rules onreproduction ofwritten
materials bygovernmental institutions,
libraries andforpersonal use. Levies for
thisusearepaidtoaseparate Copyright
Foundation, the"Stichting Reprorecht".
Decree bytheMinister ofJustice of
6April 1976, Stcrt. 82Contains listoffoundations andassociations
representing interested parties withaviewto
discussions oncopyright ofmusic.
Decree bytheMinister ofJustice of
19February 1986, Stb.79,entry intoforce
13May1986Contains regulations onsupervision ofthe
"Stichting Reprorecht" dealing withthelevies
forreproduction ofprotected works.
Decree bytheMinister ofJustice of
19February 1986, Stb.81,entry intoforce
13May1986Official approval oftheguidelines setupby
the"Stichting Reprorecht" forthedistribution
ofpayments received further totheCopyright
Act.
Decree bytheState Secretary ofJustice of
20February 1991, Stcrt. 42,entry intoforce
1March 1991The"Stichting deThuiskopie" isappointed to
administer thecollection anddistribution of
payments levied onblank tapes.
Royal Decree of20December 1990,
Stb.646,amended 24November 1993,
Stb.620Appointment ofaGovernment Commissioner
supervising theactivities ofthe"Stichting de
Thuiskopie".IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
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TITLE, DATE OFADOPTION AND
PUBLICATION
(STB. ORSTCRT. NUMBER)
DATE OFLATEST REVISION AND
ENTRY INTO FORCEBRIEF DESCRIPTION
Decree bytheState Secretary ofJustice of
20February 1991, Stcrt. 58,entry intoforce
2March 1991The"Stichting Onderhandelingen
Thuiskopievergoeding" isappointed to
negotiate theamount levied onblank tapes.
Directive of1October 1993, Stb.188,bythe
Supervising District Attorneys, valid until
1October 1997Contains general rules tobeobserved bythe
district attorneys onenforcing theCopyright
Act.
Related rights
[Actof25May1990, Stb.303,entry into
force 1July1993Accession oftheNetherlands tothe
International Treaty ontheProtection of
Performing Artists, Producers ofPhonograms
andBroadcasting Organizations
(Rome, 26October 1961).
Actof25May1990, Stb.304,entry into
force 1July1993Accession oftheNetherlands totheTreaty on
theProtection ofProducers ofPhonograms
against illegal copying oftheirphonograms
(Geneva, 29October 1971).]
Royal Decree of28April 1993, Stb.243,
entry intoforce 1July1993Contains appointment ofaSupervisory
Committee tosupervise theactivities ofthe
Foundation "SENA", which administers the
payments made torightholders further tothe
Actonrelated rights (Law of
18March 1993)
Royal Decree of15August 1994, Stb.633,
entry intoforce 26August 1994Contains provisions ontheallowance
received bythemembers oftheSupervisory
Committee
Topographies
Royal Decree of23July1987, Stb.486
amended 6July1993, Stb.399Rules ontheBureau which administers the
official registration oftopographies.
Protection ofundisclosed information
Dutch Civil Code of31May1843, Stb.22;
replaced in1976 (books 1and2)and1992
(books 3,5and6);amended
21December 1995, 691Contains general provisions ondamages,
representation, general rules andprinciples of
lawsuchasgood faith.IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
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TITLE, DATE OFADOPTION AND
PUBLICATION
(STB. ORSTCRT. NUMBER)
DATE OFLATEST REVISION AND
ENTRY INTO FORCEBRIEF DESCRIPTION
Civil judicial procedures andremedies
Dutch Civil Code of31May1843, Stb.22
replaced in1976 (books 1and2)and1992
(books 3,5and6),amended
21December 1995, 691Contains general provisions ondamages,
representation, general rules andprinciples of
lawsuchasgood faith.
Code ofCivil Procedure of31May1843,
Stb.23,amended 6December 1995, Stb.592Contains therules ofcivilprocedures inthe
Netherlands.
ActontheOrganization oftheJudiciary of
18April 1827, Stb.290,amended
21December 1995, Stb.640Theorganization ofthevarious courts and
theirpersonal andsubject-matter jurisdiction.
Provisional judicial measures
Code ofCivil Procedure of31May1843,
Stb.23,amended 6December 1995, Stb.592Contains therules ofcivilprocedure inthe
Netherlands.
ActontheOrganization oftheJudiciary of
18April 1827, Stb.290,amended
21December 1995, Stb.640Theorganization ofthevarious courts and
theirpersonal andsubject-matter jurisdiction.
[Special requirements relating toborder
measures
ActonEconomic Crimes of22June1950,
Stb.K258, amended 21December 1995,
Stb.691Contains alistofcrimes ofaneconomic
character (rather than"ordinary" crimes).]
Criminal procedures
ActontheOrganization oftheJudiciary of
18April 1827, Stb.290,amended
21December 1995, Stb.640Theorganization ofthevarious courts and
theirpersonal andsubject-matter jurisdiction.
Dutch Penal Code of3March 1881, Stb.35,
amended 6December 1995, Stb.592Contains thegeneral description ofcrimes
andmisdemeanours intheNetherlands.
Dutch Code ofCriminal Procedure of
15January 1921, Stb.14,amended
6December 1995, Stb.592Contains therules ofcriminal procedure in
theNetherlands.
ActonEconomic Crimes of22June1950,
Stb.K258, amended 21December 1995,
Stb.691Contains alistofcrimes ofaneconomic
character (rather than"ordinary" crimes).IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
Page9
TITLE, DATE OFADOPTION AND
PUBLICATION
(STB. ORSTCRT. NUMBER)
DATE OFLATEST REVISION AND
ENTRY INTO FORCEBRIEF DESCRIPTION
Administrative procedures
ActoftheOrganization oftheJudiciary of
18April 1827, Stb.290,amended
21December 1995, Stb.640Theorganization ofthevarious courts and
theirpersonal andsubject-matter jurisdiction.
General ActonAdministrative Lawof
4June1992, Stb.315,amended
20December 1995, Stb.704,entered into
force 1January 1994Contains therules onadministrative
procedures.
Trademarks
Regulation forExecution oftheUniform
Benelux Trademark Act,Tractatenblad 1995,
294; 20November 1995; 1January 1996
(Uitvoeringsreglement bijdeEenvormige
Beneluxwet opdeMerken)Thisregulation contains provisions forthe
procedures concerning thedeposit ofa
trademark.
Regulation forApplication oftheUniform
Benelux Trademark Act,Tractatenblad 1996,
51;13October 1995; 1January 1996
(Toepassingsreglement bijdeEenvormige
Beneluxwet opdeMerken)Thisregulation contains provisions
concerning theforms fordepositing
trademarks.
Dutch Penal Code of3March 1881, Stb.35,
amended 6December 1995, Stb.592Contains thegeneral description ofcrimes
andmisdemeanours.
Geographical indications
Dutch Civil Code of31May1843, Stb.22;
replaced in1976 (books 1and2)and1992
(books 3,5and6);amended
21December 1995, Stb.691Contains general provisions ondamages,
representation, general rules andprinciples of
lawsuchasgood faith.
Dutch Penal Code of3March 1881, Stb.35,
amended 6December 1995, Stb.592Contains thegeneral description ofcrimes
andmisdemeanours.
Industrial designs
Regulation forExecution oftheUniform
Benelux Design Act,31May1989,
Tractatenblad 1989, 85;1July1989
(Uitvoeringsreglement bijdeEenvormige
Beneluxwet inzake Tekeningen ofModellen)Thisregulation contains provisions forthe
procedures concerning thedeposit ofa
design.IP/N/1/NLD/1/Rev.1
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TITLE, DATE OFADOPTION AND
PUBLICATION
(STB. ORSTCRT. NUMBER)
DATE OFLATEST REVISION AND
ENTRY INTO FORCEBRIEF DESCRIPTION
Regulation forApplication oftheUniform
Benelux Design Act,28April 1989,
Tractatenblad 1989, 90;1July1989
(Toepassingsreglement bijdeEenvormige
Beneluxwet inzake Tekeningen ofModellen)Thisregulation contains provisions
concerning theforms fordepositing designs.
Actconcerning Provisions against Counterfeit
ofProducts, Protected byTrademark or
Design Law, Staatsblad 642; 23
November 1992; 1January 1993 (Wet
Bestrijding Namaakprodukten)ThisActcontains special provisions against
counterfeit; since 1January 1996 itonly
refers toproducts protected bydesign law.
Patents
Patent Regulation, Stb.1993, 721;
17December 1993; 1January 1994
(Octrooireglement)Thisregulation contains provisions
concerning theprocedures andthetariffs for
theapplication ofapatent forapplications
submitted before 1April 1995.
Patent Regulation Patent Act1995,
Stb.1995, 108; 20February 1995; 1April
1995 (Uitvoeringsbesluiten Rijksoctrooiwet
1995)Thisregulation contains provisions
concerning theprocedures andthetariffs for
theapplications ofapatent forapplications
submitted asfrom 1April 1995.