WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/CZE/1
16September 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-3669)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from theCzech Republic
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
Regional Courts andtheMunicipal Court inPrague, ascourts offirstinstance, make their
decisions ontherights which result fromtheCopyright Act,ontheauthorship ofintellectual property
rights, ontherighttoapply forprotection andco-ownership andonrights resulting fromrelevant matters
orfromrightinfringement inthematter inquestion. Anyandalldisputes concerning therights resulting
from theCopyright Act,including decisions onrights ofperforming artists, ofproducers ofaudio
recordings andradio andtvorganisations are,according totheCopyright Act,under theirjurisdiction.
Furthermore, Regional Courts andtheMunicipal Court inPrague, ascourts offirstinstance,
makedecisionsonmattersrelatedtocommercialdisputesresultingfrompatentrights,protectedindustrial
designs, utility designs andmodels andlayout designs ofintegrated circuits which aresubject totrading,
andalsoonmatters related todisputes resulting from trademarks andappellations oforigin rights.
2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytheright holder?
Anyparty which hasthecapacity toassume rights andobligations mayparticipate inthe
respectiveproceedings,otherwiseitisonlythepartywhoseparticipationispermittedundertherespective
law. Anyparty mayactbefore thecourt independently andwithin thelimits which shallcorrespond
tothecapacity ofsuchparty toassume rights andobligations byhis/her ownacts.
According tolaw,anycitizen whocannot actindependently must berepresented byhis/her
legalrepresentative. Anyparty tolegalproceedings mayalsoberepresented bymeans ofapower
ofattorney (orprocuration) conferred uponaproxy (procurator), being anindividual whoisentrusted
bytheparty concerned. Theparty mayalways confer suchaprocuration upon alawyer. Similarly,
suchparty mayalsodecide toconfer theprocuration upon acommercial lawyer whothenmust act
within thelimits ofhisauthority. Ajuridical person actsthrough itsstatutory bodyoranofficial who
proves his/her authority.
TheState isrepresented before thecourt byastateofficial employed bythestateauthority
towhich thematter relates, orbyanentrusted official ofanother stateauthority orinstitution.
1Document IP/C/5.IP/N/6/CZE/1
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3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
TheCode ofCivil Procedure governs evidence ofproof, including theobligation toproduce
evidence attherequest oftheopponent, which thecourt mayimpose. Thecourt decides which of
theproposed evidence should bedemonstrated. Incasetheparty proposed theevidence which isin
thepossession oftheopponent, thecourt hasthemeans toenforce theproduction ofsuchevidence
before thecourt.
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Evidence demonstration shallbeconducted inawaywhich respects state, business, commercial
andofficial secrets, andalsotheobligation tosecrecy recognized bytheState. Theexamination may
onlybeconducted iftheparty tobeexamined wasreleased fromtheobligation toprotect secrecy by
therespective authority orbytheperson inwhose interest theparty hasundertaken thisobligation.
Thisalsoapplies, toareasonable extent, tocases when evidence isdemonstrated byways other than
through examination.
5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
- injunctions
- damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees
- destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements for
their production
- anyother remedies
Asfarasindividual intellectual rights areconcerned, inprinciple, thefollowing civiljudicial
procedures andremedies areavailable:
(a) According tothespecial protection ofcopyrights andrights ofperforming artists, asstipulated
intheCopyright ActNo.35/1965 inconjunction withSection 39,paragraph 1ofthisAct,
theauthor whose rightwasinfringed maydemand, inparticular, thattheinfringement ofhis/her
rightisprohibited, theconsequences ofsuchinfringement orabuse areremoved andtheauthor
receives theappropriate recovery. If,asaresult ofsuchaninfringement, serious prejudice
tointangible property hasbeen caused, theauthor shall beentitled toreceive amonetary
satisfaction provided granting ofanother form ofrecovery hasturned outtobeinadequate.
Theamount ofsuchmonetary recovery shallbedetermined bythecourt which shalltakeinto
consideration theextent oftheprejudice sustained andalsothecircumstances under which the
infringement ofrightoccurred. Iftheauthor suffered aninjury through infringement ofhis/her
right, theauthor hastheright toreceive compensation incompliance withtheCivil Code.
Thewinner ofthedispute shallhavetherighttohavetheexpenses ofthecourt proceedings
compensated, including therespective attorney 'sfees. Asforcivilandjudicial procedures,
thecourtmayprohibit thedistribution oftangible copies ofworks which werewrongfully used.
Asaresult ofcriminal oradministrative procedure thecourt mayorder theunauthorized user
todestroy theconfiscated orforfeited copies athisownexpense.
(b) Thespecial protection ofintellectual rights incompliance withSection 15oftheActon
Trademarks No.137/1995, Section 5oftheActontheProtection ofAppellation ofOrigin
ofProducts No.159/1973, Section 75oftheActonPatents, Inventions andRationalization
Proposals No.527/1990 alsoinconjunction withSection 18,paragraph 2ofActNo.529/1991IP/N/6/CZE/1
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ontheProtection ofTopographies ofSemiconductor Products andSection 21,paragraph 2
oftheActonUtility Models No.478/1992, andSection 26ofActNo.132/1989 onNewPlant
andAnimal Variety Protection.
According totheActonTrademarks, theowner ofatrademark maylodge anapplication with
therespective court toprevent anyone from using his/her trademark oranysimilar signthe
useofwhich could result inalikelihood ofconfusion, andtowithdraw from themarket the
objects whose marking infringes thisright. Theowner ofatrademark mayaskthecustoms
authorities nottorelease theproducts which involve infringement ofhis/her rights resulting
from theActonTrademarks, intofreedomestic circulation.
Iftheowner hassuffered anyinjury duetoaninfringement ofthetrademark rights, theowner
shallbeentitled tocompensation. Inthecaseofanon-material damage, theinjured party shall
havetherighttoreceive theappropriate remedy which maybeamonetary compensation.
According totheActontheProtection ofAppellation ofOrigin ofProducts, theregistered
useroftheappellation oforigin mayturntotheappropriate institution (court) toprohibit
infringement ofhis/her rights andeliminate theirregular situation.
According totheActonInvention, Industrial Designs andRationalization Proposals, theparty
whose rights, which areprotected bythisAct,were wrongfully infringed maydemand, in
particular, theprohibition ofinfringement oftherightandtohavetheresulting consequences
ofsuchinfringement removed. Ifdamage hasbeenincurred, theinjured party shallhavethe
right tobecompensated. However, only actual damage andactual lostprofits canbe
compensated. If(non-material) prejudice hasbeenincurred, theinjured party shallbeentitled
totheappropriate recovery (i.e.notjusttoanapology, butalsotoamonetary compensation
too). Disputes related toinventions, industrial designs andrationalization proposals aresettled
bycourts. Seereply toquestion 1.
According totheActonNewPlant andAnimal Variety Protection, theowner ofcultivation
certificate whose rights, which areprotected bythisAct,were infringed maydemand, in
particular, theprohibition ofinfringement ofhis/her rightandtohavetheresulting consequences
ofsuchinfringement removed. Ifadamage hasbeenincurred, theinjured party shallhave
therighttobecompensated. Ifa(non-material) prejudice hasbeenincurred, theinjured party
shallbeentitled totheappropriate recovery (i.e.alsotoamonetary compensation).
(c) Thespecial protection against unfair competition asstipulated inSections 53-55incl.ofthe
Commercial Code applies toallcases other thanthose described above.
(d) There isgeneral protection through liability fordamage asstipulated inSection 415and
subsequent provisions oftheCivilCode, orSection 757oftheCommercial Code inconjunction
withSection 373andsubsequent provisions oftheCommercial Code incaseofcommercial
contractual relations.
(e) There isgeneral protection consisting ofreturning what hasbeenacquired through unjust
enrichment under paragraph 451andsubsequent provision oftheCommercial Code.
Concurrent application ofseveral possible means ofprotection which arebased onandresult
fromtheindividual factual circumstances under which theinfringement ofaright(-s) has(have)
occurred, isnotexcluded. Therefore, individual claims maybelodged separately, or
collectively, forthepurpose ofprotecting therespective rightinamore efficient manner.IP/N/6/CZE/1
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Theprotection iscarried outthrough actions whose purpose istodetermine theexistence or
non-existence ofcertain rights, andthrough specific performance actions which arebased on
andresult from law,legalrelationship orviolation oflaw.
Asforthespecial means oftheprotection ofrights, thereareactions whose purpose istoimpose
obligations concerning:
- prohibition ofrights;
- elimination ofconsequences ofrights infringement;
- provision oftheappropriate satisfaction; and
- other forms ofprotection ofinfringed law(such asdestruction ofwrongfully produced
orimported media which contain thework inquestion).
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?
Thecourt mayestablish evidence other thanthatproposed bytherespective parties tothe
proceedings, incases when during theproceedings theneedforsuchevidence hasemerged, insofar
asthisevidence willfacilitate toestablish thesubstantial facts.
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat "remedial
measures" areapplicable tothem?
Thedefendant whowas,contrary tolaw,ordered tocarry outorrefrain from carrying out
something isentitled tocompensation fortheinjury including lostprofits. Insuchsituations, public
authorities bearresponsibility incompliance withActNo.58/1969 Coll. ontheLiability forDamage
Caused byDecisions orIncorrect Conduct ofState Institutions orBodies.
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Czechlawhasnoprovisionswhichwoulddeterminethedurationofcourtproceedings.However,
theCode ofCivilProcedure contains ageneral provision inparagraph 6under which thecourtisobliged
toconduct theproceedings inamanner toensure thefastandeffective protection oftherights. It
alsocontains theprovision (under paragraph 158)todeliver thetruecopyofthecourt judgement to
theparticipants notlaterthan30daysfrom thedateofitspronouncement. Thejudge hastheright
toprolong thistermforfurther 90days.
Theprovisions concerning thecostofproceedings stipulate thatsuchcosts, inparticular, are:
cashexpenses incurred bytheparticipants tocourt proceedings andbytheirrepresentatives, including
court fees,lostprofits ofparticipants tocourt proceedings andtheirrepresentatives, expenses incurred
withrespect toevidence, notary fees,court commissioner cashexpenses, trustees 'commission and
cashexpenses, translators 'feesandattorneys '(proxies ')feesifanattorney orcommercial lawyer acts
asrepresentative.
Eachparty tocourt proceedings shallpayitsownexpenses necessary fortheefficient exercise
andprotection ofrights against theopposite party which lostthecase, reimbursed.IP/N/6/CZE/1
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Thecourt willacknowledge thatthewinning party shallhaveitsexpenses necessary forthe
efficient exercise andprotection ofrights against theopposite party which lostthecase, reimbursed.
Asfarastheopponent, wholostthecase, isconcerned, thecourt willacknowledge thatit
should haveitsexpenses reimbursed onlyiftheopponent hasnotgiven cause fortaking theaction
incourt.
Information anddataonthecostofproceedings arenotavailable.
In1995, theaverage duration ofcourt proceedings concerning cases ofcopyright violations
which wereheard atRegional Courts was300days, other copyright disputes wereunder discussion
296daysonaverage, while thecases related topatent rights andindustrial designs violations lasted
468days.
Disputes concerning intellectual property rights areconsidered asmore demanding, andthis
factisalsoreflected intheduration oftherespective court proceedings. Furthermore, court-certified
experts areinvited tointellectual property cases more often thaninother cases, which alsoextends
theduration ofcourt proceedings.
(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
TheMinistry ofCulture doesnotadminister theadministrative procedures withrespect to
copyright lawandrelated laws.
Administrative procedures govern matters related toTrade Licences which areissued forthe
purpose ofuseandmanagement ofauthors 'work andperformances ofperforming artists.
Since 1January 1996, theMinistry ofCulture istheadministrative authority authorized to
issuelicences forcollective administration ofcopyrights. TheIndustrial Property Office decides, within
thescope ofadministrative procedures, onproviding protection toinventions, industrial designs, utility
models anddesigns, topographies ofintegrated circuits, trademarks andappellations oforigin. Hearings
anddisputesettlementarisingfrominfringementofindustrialpropertyrightsisnotwithinthecompetence
ofthisOffice.
Provisional Measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
Thecourt may,inorder toprovisionally settle relations oftheparties tothedispute, orifthere
isademonstrable concern thatthefulfilment ofacourt award could beadversely affected, order
preliminary measures tobetaken prior tothecommencement oftherespective court proceedings.
Through preliminary measures, thecourt mayorder theparty tothedispute torefrain from
disposing ofcertain things orrights, orfrom performing certain actsortoabide certain acts,orto
deposit certain amounts incash, ortosubmit certain objects intothecustody ofthecourt.IP/N/6/CZE/1
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Preliminarymeasuresmayimposeanobligationonathirdpartywhichisnotpartytothedispute,
provided itisfairtoaskthethirdparty tocomply withtherespective order.
Thecourt mayalsodecide thatcertain preliminary measures willlastonlyforacertain period
oftime. Furthermore, preliminary measures mayalsobeimposed afterthecourt proceedings have
already started provided itisnecessary toprovisionally settle therelations oftheparties tothedispute.
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
Itisuptothecourt toconsider andevaluate therelevant circumstances andorder theadoption
ofpreliminary measures. Thisusually takes place without hearing theopposite party. Thelawdoes
notdefine suchcircumstances andleaves theirconsideration andevaluation fullyatthecourt'sdiscretion.
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect thelegitimate
interests ofthedefendant.
Thecourtwhich iscompetent tohearthecaseisalsocompetent toimpose preliminary measures.
Parties tothedispute arethose entities which would besuchparties hadthesubject itemonlyinvolved.
Usually, thecourt orders thepreliminary measures asaresponse totherespective proposal. Itisnot
necessary toheartheparties tothedispute. Thecourtmay,uponordering preliminary measures, charge
theapplicant withlodging apetition tocommence legalproceedings within thedeadline which thecourt
determines. Thecourt mayalsolimittheduration ofthepreliminary measures inquestion.
Preliminary measures shalllapse, if:
- theapplicant failed tolodge apetition tostartacourt proceeding within thedeadline
which wasdetermined bythecourt;
- thepetition concerning thedisputed matter hasnotbeensatisfied;
- theperiod forwhich thepreliminary measures should beeffective hasexpired; and
- thepetition concerning thedisputed matter wassatisfied andtheperiod of15daysfrom
thedecision 'senforceability hasexpired, orthecourt hascancelled thepreliminary
measures because thereasons duetowhich itwasordered havealready passed.
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Therequested information isnotavailable.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
Please seereply toquestion 9.
Special Requirements Related toBorder Measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable alsoinIP/N/6/CZE/1
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respect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other thancounterfeit
trademark 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?
According toSection 14,ActNo.137/1995 Coll. onTrademarks, theCustoms Office onthe
request ofatrademark owner willnotrelease goods ofacommercial character intofreecirculation
ifitssigninfringes therights ofatrademark owner.
Ifgoods arenot,ontherequest ofatrademark owner, released intofreecirculation, theCustoms
Office shall, incompliance withSection 104,paragraph 7oftheCustoms Code, issueawritten decision
stating thegrounds onwhich thedecision wasadopted andindicating appeal instructions. Thesame
applies fordecisions regarding ordinary orextraordinary legal remedies (appeal, resumption of
proceedings, re-examination ofthedecision outside appeal procedures). Thedeclarant (importer) may
submit anappeal against adecision adopted incustoms proceedings within thetermofonemonth of
thedayfollowing thedaywhen thedecision wasdelivered tothedeclarant.
Asfarasinfringements ofother intellectual property rights areconcerned, theprovisions of
Section 98,paragraph 2oftheCustoms Code donotexclude thepossibility ofimposing prohibitions
orrestrictions within theframework oftheso-called customs approved treatment oruse,i.e.including
prohibitions concerning therelease ofgoods intofreecirculation onthegrounds oftheintellectual
property protection (thistermembraces allcategories ofintellectual property rights).
Anyother categories ofimported commercial goods imported within customs unions or
free-trade areas, goods intransit andtheso-called deminimis imports arenotexcluded fromtheabove
customs proceedings.
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?
Suspension ofRelease ofGoods byCustoms Authorities
TheCustoms Office maysuspend customs proceedings iftheproceedings onthepreliminary
matter havealready started orthedeclarant hasbeenasked tocorrect within thedetermined timelimit
shortcomings intherespective submission.
Ifthereisamatter intheproceedings which hasalready beendecided bythecompetent authority
(apreliminary matter), theCustoms Office isbound bythatdecision; otherwise therespective
administrative authority mayform itsopinion onsuchmatter orsuggest totherespective authority
tocommence proceedings. TheCustoms Office maynot,asfarasapreliminary matter isconcerned,
formulate anopinion withrespect towhether andwhohascommitted acriminal actoroffence orwhat
istheposition ofthecitizen inquestion ifthese matters areinthecompetence oftherespective court.
Noappeal maybesubmitted against thedecision tosuspend proceedings. TheCustoms Office
continues therespective proceedings onitsowninitiative ortheinitiative oftheparty totheproceedingsIP/N/6/CZE/1
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assoonastheobstacles, duetowhich theproceedings weresuspended, havepassed, oriftherespective
deadline haselapsed.
According toSection 14,paragraph 3,ActNo.137/1995 Coll. onTrademarks, theCustoms
Office willnotrelease goods ofacommercial character intofreecirculation ifitssigninfringes the
rights ofatrademark owner. Therespective trademark owner shallprove his/her rights byaCertificate
ofTrademark Registration oranexcerpt fromtheCommercial Register. Ifacopyright holder produces
acourt decision according towhich thegoods whose release intofreecirculation istobedecided by
theCustomsOfficeinfringehis/hercopyrights,theCustomsOfficeshallsuspendthecustomsproceedings
(Article 51). Ifacopyright holder starts court proceedings bylodging anaction withthecourt, the
court maydecide toadopt preliminary measures which arebinding fortheCustoms Office provided
suchpreliminary measures ofthecourt cover thedisposal ofthegoods which aresubject tocustoms
proceedings prior totheirrelease intofreecirculation (Article 52).
Duration ofSuspension
Theduration ofcustoms proceedings suspension isatthediscretion oftheCustoms Office;
iftheCustomsOfficeinitiatedapetitionwiththerespectiveauthoritytostarttheproceedings,thecustoms
proceedings shallbesuspended byituntiltherespective authority makes adecision onthepreliminary
matter (Article 55).
Security orEquivalent Assurance
Customs Authorities havenoauthority torequire theowner ofprotected intellectual property
righttoprovide asecurity oranequivalent assurance (Article 53).
Indemnification oftheImporter andoftheOwner oftheGoods
Customs Authorities havenoauthority toorder theapplicant topaytheimporter (declarant),
theconsignee andtheowner ofthegoods appropriate compensation forinjury caused tothemthrough
thewrongful detention ofgoods orthrough thedetention ofgoods released pursuant to
Article 55(Article 56).
Right ofInspection andInformation
IftheCustoms Office hasnotdecided torelease thegoods intofreecirculation, theCustoms
Office mayallow thecompetent authority toinspect thegoods inquestion inorder tosubstantiate the
claims oftherightholder. Asregards therighttoinform therightholder ofthenames andaddresses
oftheconsignor, theimporter andtheconsignee andofthequantity ofthegoods inquestion, the
Customs Authorities maynotpassdocuments anddisclose information toother persons without the
consent oftheperson concerned (importer -declarant), withtheexception ofcaseswhen theyareallowed
todosopursuant tospecial legislation (presently, pursuant totherespective decision ofthecourt).
(Article 57).
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity ofdecisions
bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofreecirculation?
Theapplication tosuspend thecustoms proceedings withrespect totherelease ofgoods into
freecirculation must bedischarged without delay provided thesubject matter isnotcomplicated,
especially, ifadecision canbetaken onthebasis ofthedocuments submitted bytheparty tothe
proceedings, otherwise within aperiod ofthirty days. Theproceedings costs incurred bytheIP/N/6/CZE/1
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administrative authority (therespective Customs Office) shallbeborne bythatadministrative authority,
andthecostsincurred bytheparty totheproceedings shallbeborne bythatparty. Customs proceedings
maybesuspended foraperiod uptoamaximum ofthirty days.
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
According toSection 8oftheCode ofCriminal Procedures administrative authorities (Customs
Authorities) areobliged toimmediately inform theprosecuting counsel orpolice authorities offacts
which indicate thatacriminal acthasbeencommitted; thisdoesnotaffect theobligation toprotect
stateandcommercial secrets ortheobligation toprotect secrecy imposed oracknowledged bytheState.
Their further acting mustcomply withtherespective decision oftheprosecuting counsel orthecourt
oftheappropriate criminal jurisdiction.
According toSection 309oftheCustoms Code, inorder todealwithillegal importation,
exportation ortransit ofgoods, theCustoms Office maysecure goods inrespect ofwhich there isa
justifiedsuspicionthatthegoodsmayhavebeenusedforcommittingacustomsoffence(asfarasjuridical
personsorphysicalpersons-entrepreneursareconcerned)orintendedforcommittingacustomsoffence,
obtained bymeans ofacustoms offence oracquired forgoods obtained bymeans ofacustoms offence.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
Thefollowing remedies canbeordered bythecompetent authorities:
(a) adecision oftheCustoms Office nottorelease thegoods which involve infringements ofrights
conferred byatrademark intofreecirculation (seequestions 15and16);
(b) alegalandenforceable decision oftheCustoms Office onforfeiture orseizure ofgoods, if
theimport customs procedures havebeeninfringed;
(c) acourt decision onforfeiture orseizure ofgoods, oritsdestruction orprocessing foranother
purpose; and
(d) acourt decision imposing theprohibition toinfringe theaffected rights andtheremoval of
theirregular situation.
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Allcriminal actsconcerning theinfringement ofintellectual property rights areheard byDistrict
Courts, being courts offirstinstance.
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Criminal procedures andpenalties areavailable inrespect ofthefollowing infringements of
intellectual property rights:IP/N/6/CZE/1
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- trademark rights areinfringed bytheintroduction intocirculation ofproducts which, without
authorization, bearatrademark conferring exclusive rights toanother owner, orwhich bear
signs similar totheregistered trademark which could result inalikelihood ofconfusion;
- therights toaprotected appellation oforigin areinfringed bytheintroduction ofproducts which,
without authorization, bearanappellation oforigin, exclusive rights towhich appertain toother
persons, orwhich bearsigns similar tothatappellation oforigin, which could result ina
likelihood ofconfusion;
- intellectual rights areinfringed, i.e.inthecaseofanunauthorized infringement ofrights to
aprotected invention, industrial design, utility model ordesign oralayout design ofintegrated
circuits; and
- copyright isinfringed, when awork, which issubject totheprotection under theCopyright
Act,oraperformance ofaperforming artist, audio orvideo recording, radio ortvprogramme
which aresubject toalawrelated tothecopyright law,aredisposed of,without authorization,
inamanner appertaining onlytotheauthor, performing artist, author oftherespective audio
orvideo recording, radio ortvorganisation orother rightholder, orifsuchrights areinfringed
inanother manner.
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
Criminal proceedings canonlybeinitiated onthebasis ofasuitlodged bytheprosecuting
counsel whoisobliged toprosecute allcriminal actshe/she isaware of.Public authorities which act
incriminal proceedings (i.e.courts, prosecuting counsel, investigators andtherespective police
authorities) actexofficio inawaysoastoestablish thefactsofthecasewhich arebeyond reasonable
doubt andtosuchanextent which isnecessary fortaking theirdecision.
Stateauthorities areobliged toimmediately inform theprosecuting counsel orpolice authorities
ofallfactswhich indicate thatacriminal acthasbeencommitted. Associations ofcitizens (such as
trade union organisations andother social organisations andchurches) maydraw theattention ofthe
authoritieswhichactincriminalproceedingstoinfringementsoflaw,thusinitiatingcriminalproceedings.
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Private persons caninitiate criminal procedures indirectly bybringing totheattention ofthe
public authorities acting incriminal proceedings, information oninfringements oflaw.
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production;
- other.
Infringement ofcopyright involves imprisonment uptotwoyears, monetary fine,orforfeiture
oftheinfringing goods. Iftheinfringer has,through theinfringement, received asubstantial benefit
orthescope ofhis/her actissubstantial, thepunishment isfromsixmonths tofiveyears imprisonment
oramonetary fineorforfeiture oftheinfringing goods.IP/N/6/CZE/1
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Infringement ofintellectual rights appertaining toaprotected invention, industrial design, utility
model orlayout design ofintegrated circuits involves imprisonment ofuptooneyearoramonetary
fine.
Infringement ofrights conferred bythetrademark orprotected appellation oforigin involves
imprisonment ofuptosixmonths, amonetary fineorforfeiture oftheinfringing goods.
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Authorities which actincriminal proceedings mustexamine anddealwiththecriminal cases
asfastaspossible while fullyobserving thecivilrights guaranteed bytheConstitution. Aperson may
notbeincustody (i.e.custody during thepreparatory investigation proceedings andcustody during
thecourt proceedings) intotalformore thantwoyears. Thecostsnecessary forcarrying thecriminal
proceedings areborne bytheState, however, theState paysneither theexpenses ofthedefendant,
theparty concerned northeinjured party, northeexpenses ofcounsel forthedefence andauthorized
representatives.
Ifthedefendant isfound guilty, he/she hastocompensate theStateforthecustody expenses,
imprisonment expenses, bonus andcashexpenses paidtocounsel forthedefence, asnominated by
theState, unless thedefendant isentitled tofreeofcharge defence andother lump sumexpenses paid
bytheState.
Iftheinjured party hasbeengranted theright, atleast, topartial compensation forinjury, the
defendant onwhich theobligation forcompensation forinjury wasimposed isobliged tocompensate
theexpenses necessary fortheefficient satisfaction ofinjured party'srighttocompensation forinjury
incriminal proceedings.
Informationconcerningthelengthofproceedingsrelatedtoinfringementsofintellectualproperty
rights andtheircosts isnot,atpresent, available.
Inpractice, criminal penalties incases ofinfringement ofintellectual property rights are,at
present, applied infrequently.