WORLD TRADE IP/N/1/BEL/1
29January 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-0305)
Original: French Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
NOTIFICATION OFLAWS AND REGULATIONS
UNDER ARTICLE 63.2OFTHE AGREEMENT
Belgium
Bymeans ofcommunications from thePermanent Mission ofBelgium, dated 31January,
1February, 26March, 17Mayand18July1996, thefollowing notification hasbeenreceived from
Belgium under Article 63.2oftheAgreement.
Thetextsofthelawsinthelistsofmaindedicated lawsandregulations andofother lawsand
regulations marked withanasterisk wereattached tothenotification. Inrespect oftheother lawsand
regulations mentioned inthelists, Belgium hasreferred totheWIPO collection oflaws.IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page2
ListofMain Laws
I. General laws1
- Royal Decree No.85of17November 1939 concerning trademarks, patents andindustrial
property ingeneral (MBof9December 1939) (E)PI 1940, 3.
- Law of15July1985 amending thelawof24May 1854 onpatents andtheLaw of
30December 1925amending thelawsonpatents, trademarks, industrial designs andindustrial
property ingeneral, Articles 1to4(MBof26July1985, page10957) (concerns fees).
- Lawof14July1991 ontrade practices andconsumer information andprotection (MBof
29August 1991) (Law entered intoforce on1March 1992), Articles 52,53and68were
amended bytheLawof5November 1993 (MB of11November 1993 -Erratum MBof
30November 1993, page25573).*
II. Patents2
- Patent Lawof24May1854 (MBof25April 1854).
- Patent Lawof28March 1984(MBof9March 1985, page2774) (entry intoforce, seeRoyal
Decrees of20December 1984 and18December 1986 hereunder) (E)IP/PI June 1985,
IPJuly/August 1985, IPSeptember 1985, IP/PI October 1987.
- Royal Decree of20December 1984 ontheentry intoforce ofcertain articles ofthePatent
Lawof28March 1984 (MBof9March 1985, page2806).
- Royal Decree of18December 1986ontheentry intoforceofthePatent Lawof28March 1984
(MBof25December 1986, page17803).
- Royal Decree No.85of17November 1939 concerning trademarks, patents andindustrial
property ingeneral, Articles 3and4(MBof9December 1939) (E)PI 1940, 3.
- Royal Decree of27February 1981onthefiling ofaEuropean patent application, itsconversion
intoanational patent application andtheregistration ofEuropean patents having effect in
Belgium (MBof5March 1981) (amended bytheRoyal Decree of2December 1986, see
hereunder) (E)IP/PI October 1987.
- Royal Decree of21August 1981 onthefiling ofinternational patent applications inBelgium
(MBof5November 1981) (amended bytheRoyal Decree of2December, seehereunder)
(E)IP/PI October 1987.
- Law of15July1985 amending theLaw of24May 1854 onpatents andtheLaw of
30December 1925amending thelawsonpatents, trademarks, industrial designs andindustrial
property ingeneral, Articles 1to4(MBof26July1985, page10957) (concerns fees).
1Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/BEL/I/1-2 andIP/N/1/BEL/O/1.
2Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/BEL/P/1-7 andIP/N/1/BEL/I/1-2.IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page3
- Royal Decree of2December 1986onapplications forpatents, andthegranting andmaintenance
ofpatents (MB of6December 1986, page 16594), amended bytheRoyal Decree of
25May1987 amending theRoyal Decree of2December 1986 onapplications forpatents,
andthegranting andmaintenance ofpatents (E)IP/PI October 1987 andJuly/August 1989.
- Royal Decree of25May1987amending theRoyal Decree of2December 1986onapplications
forpatents, andthegranting andmaintenance ofpatents.
Seeabove, Royal Decree of2December 1986.
- Royal Decree of14February 1989amending theRoyal Decree of18December 1986onpatent
feesandadditional fees.
- Royal Decree of31May1994ontheissueofdocuments andinformation services onindustrial
property bytheOffice ofIndustrial Property (MBof30June1994).
- Royal Decree of5January 1993onapplications forandthegranting ofsupplementary protection
certificates formedicinal products.
III. Designs3
- Benelux Designs Convention, withAnnex (Uniform Law), Brussels, 25October 1966 (E)PI
1974, 176; IP1974, 177.
- Protocol of31May1989 establishing executive rules pursuant toArticle 2,paragraph 1of
theBenelux Designs Convention.
- Executive rulesunder theUniform Benelux Designs Lawof31May1989(entered intoforce
on1July1989) (RDM of15June1989, special issue).
- Administrative regulations under theUniform Benelux Designs Lawof28April 1989(entered
intoforce on1July1989) (RDM of15June1989, special issue).
- Royal Decree of10July1884 determining theplace atwhich industrial designs should be
deposited inthecaseofaliens having noestablishment inBelgium (updated on1April 1974)
PI1885, 5.
- Royal Decree of10December 1884laying down theformalities tobefulfilled forthedeposit
ofindustrial designs PI1885, 24.
- Royal Decree No.91of29January 1935 regulating measures relating totheprotection of
industrial designs (updated 1April 1974).
- Lawof1December 1970 approving theBenelux Designs Convention, signed atBrussels on
25October 1966, andtheAnnex (Uniform Law) (Convention entered into force:
1January 1974)
(Uniform Lawentered intoforce: 1January 1975) (E)PI 1974, 182; IP1974, 183.
Errata (Law of1December 1970) (MB15February 1974, page2247).
3Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/BEL/D/1-2 andIP/N/1/BEL/I/2.IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page4
- RoyalDecreeof27December1974organizingconfirmatorydepositasprovidedforinArticle26
oftheUniformLawBeneluxDesignsLaw(MBof3January1975,page52)(E)IP/PI1975,116.
Errata (MBof7March 1975, page2713).
- Law of15July1985 amending theLaw of24May 1854 onpatents andtheLaw of
30December 1925amending thelawsonpatents, trademarks, industrial designs andindustrial
property ingeneral, Article 3(MBof26July1985, page10957) (concerns fees).
IV. Trademarks4
- Benelux Convention Concerning Trademarks, withAnnex (Uniform Benelux LawonMarks),
Brussels, 19March 1962, amended on10November 1983 (E)IP/PI June1987.
- Lawof8August 1986 approving theProtocol, signed atBrussels on10November 1983,
amendingtheUniformBeneluxLawannexedtotheBeneluxConventionConcerningTrademarks
of19March 1962 (MBof30October 1986, page14830).
- Executive Rules under theUniform Benelux LawonMarks of31May1989(entered intoforce
on1July1989) (RMof15June1989, special issue).
- AdministrativeRegulationsundertheUniformBeneluxLawonMarks,of28April1989(entered
intoforce on1July1989) (RMof15June1989, special issue).
- Lawof1April 1879 concerning trademarks (updated on1April 1974).
- Royal Decree No.85of17November 1939 concerning trademarks, patents andindustrial
property ingeneral (MBof9December 1939) (E)PI 1940, 3.
- Lawof30June1969approving theBenelux Convention Concerning Trademarks andtheAnnex
thereto, signed atBrussels on19March 1962 (E)PI 1970, 131; IP1970, 127.
- Royal Decree of14September 1970designating theservice responsible forthetasksentrusted
tonational administrations under theUniform Benelux LawonTrademarks, asamended on
21January 1987 (MBof4February 1988).
- Law of15July 1985 amending Law of24May 1854 onpatents andtheLaw of
30December 1925amending thelawsonpatents, trademarks, industrial designs andindustrial
property ingeneral (MBof26July1985, page10957) (concerns fees).
V. Designations oforigin5
- Lawof18April 1927ontheprotection ofregistered designations oforigin ofwines andspirits,
PI1927, 209.*
- Lawof14July1991ontradepractices andconsumer information andprotection, Articles 16-21
(MBof29August 1991) (Law entered intoforce on1March 1992), Articles 52,53and68
4Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/BEL/T/1-2 andIP/N/1/BEL/I/2.
5Thetexts ofthese laws canbefound indocuments IP/N/1/BEL/G/1-4 andIP/N/1/BEL/O/1.IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page5
were amended bytheLawof5November 1993 (MBof11November 1993 -Erratum MB
of30November 1993, page25573).*
- "Beurre d'Ardenne": Royal Decree of18December 1984, amended bytheRoyal
Decree of6May1985 (MBof1June1985);* Royal Decree of4January 1985;
Ministerial Decree of23January 1985; Ministerial Decree of20June1985 (MBof
5September 1985).
- "Jambon d'Ardenne": Royal Decree of4February 1974, amended on7April 1976*
and15July1987 (MB of1August 1987); Royal Decree of18February 1974;
Ministerial Decree of20June1985 (MBof5September 1985).
- Decree oftheWalloon Regional Council of7September 1989onaward ofthelabelofquality,
local designation oforigin andWalloon designation oforigin (MBof28November 1989)
(entered intoforce on28November 1989).
VI. Topographies ofsemi-conductors6
- Lawof10January 1990 onthelegalprotection oftopographies ofsemi-conductor products
(MBof26January 1990, page1093) (E,G)IP/PI June1990.
VII. Copyright andneighbouring rights7
- Lawof30June1994oncopyright andneighbouring rights (MBof27July1994, erratum MBof
22November 1994).
- Lawof3April 1995 amending theLawoncopyright andneighbouring rights (MB of
29April 1995).
- Lawof30June1994 transposing toBelgian lawtheEuropean Directive of14May1991 on
thelegalprotection ofcomputer programs (MBof27July1994).
- Lawof25June1921imposing afeeonpublic salesofworks ofartforthebenefit oftheartists
whoaretheauthors oftheworks sold(MBof20August 1921).
6Thetextofthislawcanbefound indocument IP/N/1/BEL/L/1.
7Thetextofthislawcanbefound indocument IP/N/1/BEL/C/1.IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page6
Listof"Other Laws andRegulations"
Title
Dates ofadoption andentry intoforceBrief description
Copyright andneighbouring rights
-Lawextending thetermofrights in
literary andartistic works because ofthe
war
Adoption: 25June1921
Entry intoforce: 5July1921-ThisLawprovides fora10-year
extension ofthetermofcopyright in
works published before 4August 1924
thathadnotfallen intothepublic domain
by25June1921.
-Royal Decree ontherightofauthors,
performers orproducers ofphonograms
oraudiovisual works tofeesforcopies
forprivate use
Adoption: 23June1995
Entry intoforce: 1August 1995-ThisDecree laysdown therules forthe
collection, verification, distribution and
reimbursement ofremuneration feesfor
copies forprivate use.
-Royal Decree onapplication oftheLaw
of25June1921 imposing afeeonpublic
salesofworks ofartforthebenefit of
theartists whoaretheauthors ofthe
works sold
Adoption: 23September 1921
Entry intoforce: 3October 1921-ThisDecree laysdown therules forthe
collection anddistribution oftheresale
royalty.
-Ministerial Decree forthe
implementation ofArticle 4oftheRoyal
Decree of23September 1921
Adoption: 1October 1921
Entry intoforce: 11October 1921-ThisDecree provides foradeclaration
form tobepresented tothecompetent
Ministry upon payment oftheresale
royalty.
Civil judicial correctional procedures and
measures
-TheBelgian Constitution*
Adoption: 7February 1831
Entry intoforce: 26February 1831-Itprovides thatthebasis forjudgements
must beexplained andthatjudgements
must bepublic (Article 149).
ThisLawalsoprovides thatany
complaint whose subject iscivilrights
fallsexclusively within thecompetence
ofthecourts (Article 144).IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page7
Title
Dates ofadoption andentry intoforceBrief description
-Lawestablishing theBelgian Judicial
Code*
Adoption: 10October 1967
Entry intoforce: 1November 1970-ThisLawmakes provision interaliafor
thefollowing:
-pleas, reports andjudgements tobe
public;
-anaccusatory procedure and,in
principle, acontentious procedure;
-decisions onthemerits ofthecase
tobemade available totheparties
(Article 792);
-ways ofsummoning thedefendant
(Articles 32to47);
-legalrepresentation (Article 728);
-investigation andjudgement ofthe
case;
-submission ofevidence
(Articles 870to1016);
-refusal todecide acase. Ajudge
maynotrefuse tojudge acase
under anypretext whatsoever
(Article 5);
-coercive regime iftheprincipal
sentence isnotcomplied with
(Article 1385 bis);
-payment ofcosts;
-inprinciple, afinaljudgement
condemns theparty whohaslostto
paythecosts. These include the
procedural payments thatprovide a
standard feetothelawyer ofthe
successful party (Articles 1017 to
1024);
-thevarious legalremedies,
including appeals against conviction
inabsentia ,appeals, andappeals on
apoint oflaw(Article 21). The
latter mayconcern adecision bythe
finalcourt ofappeal thatiscontrary
tothelawortoprocedures;
-attachment ofmovables, attachment
against debtandattachment for
counterfeiting (Articles 1422 to
1460 and1481 to1488);IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page8
Title
Dates ofadoption andentry intoforceBrief description
-frivolous andvexatious action.
Abuse oftherighttoinstitute
proceedings maybepunished bythe
award ofdamages iftheinjured
party sorequests;
-frivolous orvexatious appeal,
which ispunished byafine
(Article 1072 bis);
-theinstitution ofexparte
proceedings ifabsolutely necessary
(Articles 584,1025, 1484);
-deposit ofsecurity byforeigners.
Thelatter areobliged todeposit
security iftheBelgian defendant so
requests, except inthecaseof
agreements inwhich theStates
provide thattheirnationals are
exempt from thisrequirement
(Article 851).
-Lawestablishing theCivil Code*
Adoption: 21March 1804-ThisLawdeals withthevarious forms of
evidence.
Italsoconcerns extra-contractual
liability.
-Lawoncopyright andneighbouring
rights8
Adoption: 30June1994
Entry intoforce: 1August 1994-ThisLawconcerns suspension
proceedings intheareas withwhich it
deals. Itallows holders ofrights to
obtain promptly anorder suspending
certain disputed practices without any
obligation tobring separate proceedings
regarding thesubstance ofthecase.
Italsodeals withaction fordamages.
-Lawincorporating anArticle 1412 bisin
theJudicial Code*
Adoption: 30June1994
Entry intoforce: 19May1995-ThisLawprovides fortheattachment of
certain assets belonging topublic
authorities.
8Thetextofthislawhasalsobeen notified asamain dedicated intellectual property lawandcanbefound
indocument IP/N/1/BEL/C/1.IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page9
Title
Dates ofadoption andentry intoforceBrief description
Provisional judicial measures
-Lawestablishing theBelgian Judicial
Code*
Adopted: 10October 1967
Entry intoforce: 1November 1970-Thecompetence ofPresidents ofvarious
courts totakeprovisional decisions:
-theinstitution andinvestigation of
applications forinterim measures
(Articles 1035 to1040) (contentious
procedure);
-incases which theyrecognize are
urgent (Articles 584to589)
(unilateral procedure).
Special provisions concerning measures atthe
border
-Council Regulation (EC) No.3295/94 of
22December 1994 laying down
measures toprohibit therelease forfree
circulation, export, re-export orentry for
asuspensive procedure ofcounterfeit and
pirated goods*
-Commission Regulation (EC)
No.1367/95 of16June1995 laying
down provisions fortheimplementation
ofCouncil Regulation (EC) No.3295/94
laying down measures toprohibit the
release forfreecirculation, export,
re-export orentry forasuspensive
procedure ofcounterfeit andpirated
goods*
-General Customs andExcise Lawof
18July1977 (MBof
21September 1977), Article 320*-Seedocument IP/N/6/BEL/1, reply to
question 16.
-Community Customs Code established by
Council Regulation (EC) No.2913/92 of
12October 1992 (JOof
19October 1992, No.L302),
TitleVIII*-Right ofappeal iftherequest foraction
isnotfollowed up.
Criminal procedure
-Book 1oftheCriminal Code*
Adopted: 8June1867-Thisbook laysdown thegeneral rules
applicable tocriminal offences and
punitive action.IP/N/1/BEL/1
Page10
Title
Dates ofadoption andentry intoforceBrief description
-Code ofCriminal Procedure*
Adopted: 17April 1878
-Articles 80to86oftheLawon
copyright andneighbouring rights9
Adopted: 30June1994
Entry intoforce: 1August 1994
-Articles 10and11ofthelawof30June
1994 transposing toBelgian lawthe
European Directive of14May1991 on
thelegalprotection ofcomputer
programs10
Adopted: 30June1994
Entry intoforce: 6August 1994
-Lawconcerning trademarks11
Adopted: 1April 1879
Entry intoforce: 11April 1879-ThisCode laysdown therules for
criminal procedure.
-These Articles laydown thecriminal
provisions concerning theoffence of
infringement ofcopyright.
-These Articles laydown thepenal
provisions concerning ontheonehand
theoffence ofcounterfeiting computer
programs and,ontheother, theoffence
ofeliminating orneutralizing technical
devices protecting computer programs.
-ThisLawlaysdown theprovisions
concerning theoffence ofcounterfeiting
intrademark legislation.
Other procedures andadministrative remedial
measures
Coordinated lawsontheCouncil of
State*
Adopted: 12January 1973
Entry intoforce: 31March 1973-ThisLawgives parties thepossibility of
requesting theCouncil ofState toannul
administrative decisions.
9Thetextofthislawhasalsobeen notified asamain dedicated intellectual property lawandcanbefound
indocument IP/N/1/BEL/C/1.
10Thetextofthislawhasalsobeen notified asamain dedicated intellectual property lawandcanbefound
indocument IP/N/1/BEL/C/1.
11Thetextofthislawhasalsobeen notified asamain dedicated intellectual property lawandcanbefound
indocument IP/N/1/BEL/T/1.