WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/AUT/1
13September 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-3555)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from Austria
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
Inaccordance with§51,para2,Z9and10JNdisputes involving legalprocedures referring
totheprotection anduseofinventions, trade marks, models etc.aswellasdisputes inrespect ofthe
intellectual property rights lawirrespective ofthevalue oftheobject disputed fallwithin thecompetence
ofthecommercial courts (atthetimebeing there isonlyonecommercial court situated inVienna)
and/or thecommercial senates oftherespective provincial courts. §162PatG, §38MuSchG,
§23HlSchG and§44GMG furthermore stipulate theexclusive competence oftheVienna Commercial
Court forclaims onthegrounds ofviolation ofpatent rights aswellasdesign protection andsemi-
conductor protection orutility model protection rights.
2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytheright holder?
Inaccordance with§27,para1ZPOparties appearing before theVienna Commercial Court
ortheprovincial courts must berepresented bylawyers (statutory requirement toberepresented by
alawyer). Buttheparty concerned maywellaccompany thelawyer andappear before court andmake
additional oralstatements. Foreign lawyers admitted topractise inEEAcountries andhaving furnished
evidence ofanAustrian lawyer theyareinagreement with, mayrepresent aclient before Austrian
courts inaccordance withEEA-RAG 1993, Federal Gazette No.21.
According to§371ZPO thegiving ofevidence intheform ofhaving aparty interrogated
maybeordered uponrequest orexofficio .Taking evidence byajudge requested todosoispermissible
onlyifthepersonal appearance ofaparty meets withinsurmountable obstacles orwould involve out
ofallproportion highcosts.
There isnoobligation foraparty toappear before court. Where aparty summoned toappear
foraninterrogationdoesnotshowupwithoutfurnishingsufficientreasonsinaccordancewith§381ZPO
theCourt mustdecide astowhatinfluence thisbehaviour istohaveasregards thediscovery ofevidence,
dulytaking intoaccount allcircumstances.
1Document IP/C/5IP/N/6/AUT/1
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3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
a) Inaccordance with§183,para1,Z2ZPOthejudge mayorder thataparty submits
documents orother objects forjudicial inspection initspossession. Iftheparty doesnotmeet the
order, thiscanonlybetaken intoconsideration attheevaluation ofevidence.
b) Ifaparty claims thatadocument containing anessential piece ofevidence isinthe
hands oftheopponent (orathirdparty) thecourt mayupon therequest oftheclaiming party order
theopponent (orthethirdparty) topresent suchdocument. Information material andprobably also
pictures andsound carriers areplaced onanequal 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 tocivillaw,if
thedocument byitscontent isacommon document ofbothparties (adocument isconsidered acommon
oneifitiswritten intheinterest ofallparties concerned ordocuments themutual legalrelations) or
ifalsotheopponent hasreferred toitforthepurpose ofgiving evidence, theopponent (orthethird
party) 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 lawinAustria doesnotprovide foranyspecial marking orprotection ofconfidential
evidence.
Inaccordance with§172ZPOthepublic istobeexcluded exofficio ifpublic morals orpublic
order seem tobeindanger oriffactsoffamily lifeneedtobediscussed andproven. Inproceedings
involving aclaim onthegrounds ofthefederal lawagainst unfair competition, Federal Gazette
No.448/1984, thepublic maybeexcluded upon request ifabusiness orcompany secret could be
endangered bythepresence ofthepublic (§26UWG).
Inaccordance with§219ZPO theparties mayinspect procedural records, alsointhecase
ofprocedural records ofother courts orintellectual property rights material submitted bywitnesses.
Third parties haveaccess toinspection onlyupon theconsent ofbothparties orintheevent thatthey
canfurnish prima facieevidence oftheirlegalinterest.IP/N/6/AUT/1
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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.
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, orprofits made, thesubmission of
invoices andtheverification ofcorrectness oftheinvoices byanexpert.
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?
Aright toinformation isnotprovided forinthetwoinstances mentioned inthequestion.
However, therighttoinformation canbemade useofinthetwofollowing cases:
- Aperson liable asaguarantor orpayer fortheso-called blank tapelevy(remuneration
forprivate re-recording) mustinform theperson entitled thereto from whom he/she
obtained thecarrier material unless he/she paystheremuneration forthiscarrier
material.
- Aperson distributing material inrespect ofwhich thedistribution right hasbeen
exhausted bymarketing inoneofthemember states oftheEuropean Economic
Community ortheEuropean FreeTrade Association expired, mustgivecorrect and
complete information totheperson entitled thereto onthemanufacturer, thecontent,
thecountry oforigin, andthequantity ofthematerial distributed.IP/N/6/AUT/1
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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.
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 must bepunished witharespective fineto
beassessed individually indueconsideration ofthecircumstances ofacaseuponrequest oftheopponent.
Asfarasthestateliability isconcerned, asreferred tointhesecond sentence ofquestion 7,itcan
bepointed outthatinaccordance with§1ofthestateliability law(AHG), Federal LawGazette
No.20/1949, inthecurrent version, according totheprovisions ofthecivillaw,thefederal government
andtheother legalentities areliable fordamage caused bypersons acting asorgans executing thelaw
byillegal behaviour towards whoever. Thisliability alsoextends tonegligence. According to
jurisdiction, however, nofaultinfringement iscommitted iftheauthority tookanincorrect butinthe
concrete casedefendable legal point ofview. Damages canonlybemade interms ofmoney. No
limitation inrespect oftheamount oftheliability isforeseen. Theacting organ isnotpersonally liable
totheperson whosuffered thedamage.
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§258ZPOprepared 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 notproffered earlier
forthepurpose ofdelaying theproceedings andiftheiradmission would, inactual fact,essentially
prolongtheproceedings.Acceptanceofevidenceofferedmay,inaccordancewith§275ZPOberefused
uponrequest orexofficio ,ifthecourt gains theconviction thatsuchevidence isonlyoffered inorder
toprolong theproceedings. Where theacceptance ofapiece ofevidence meets withtheobstacle of
uncertain duration, thecourt mustuponrequest fixaduedateaftertheexpiry ofwhich theproceedings
arecontinued irrespective ofanyevidence notyetfurnished. Ifstatements orevidence arefurnished
outoftimethecourt may, upon request orexofficio ,charge theparty concerned, alsoiftheparty
winsthecase, withtheindemnification inpartorinfullofthecosts oftheproceedings (cost fine)
inaccordance with§44ZPO, orcharge itforthecosts incurred (costseparation) inaccordance with
§48ZPO. Theparty having caused adelayed duedateoraprolonged hearing, mustbecharged with
thecosts incurred therefor inaccordance with§142ZPO.
Theduration ofdispute proceedings attheprovincial courts andattheVienna Commercial
Court liesbetween 6and18months.IP/N/6/AUT/1
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b) Costs
Thecosts ofaproceeding comprise thecourt fees(including alsoother costs incurred) and
allother costs (inparticular therepresentation costs ofthelawyer).
ThefeetobepaidtotheState fortheexecution oftheproceedings depends onthevalue in
dispute. Itisalump sumperinstance appealed toanddoes notdepend ontheduration ofthe
proceedings, inparticular thenumber andduration ofcourt hearings.
Inthecontext oftheabove-mentioned proceedings, thevalue indispute usually amounts to
between ATS50.000.- andATS500.000.-. Forproceedings inthefirstinstance thefeeforavalue
indispute between ATS50.000.- andATS100.000.- isATS2.910.-; foravalue indispute between
ATS100.000.- andATS500.000.- ATS6.890.-.
Forproceedings inthesecond instance (appeal proceedings) thefeeforanamount indispute
onappeal ofbetween ATS50.000.- andATS100.000.- isATS5.300.- andforanamount indispute
onappeal ofbetween ATS100.000.- andATS500.000.- ATS10.600.-
Forproceedings inthethirdinstance (revision proceedings) thefeeforanamount indispute
atrevision ofbetween ATS50.000.- andATS100.000.- isATS6.620.- andforanamount indispute
atrevision ofbetween ATS100.000.- andATS500.000.- ATS13.250.-
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.
(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.
Inaccordance with§378EOthecourt may,uponrequest, issueaninterim injunction inorder
tosecure therights ofaparty before andduring proceedings andalsoduring theexecution process.
Interim injunctions maybeissued inorder tosecure pecuniary claims andalsoother claims. Interim
injunctions inorder tosecure pecuniary claims arenotpermissible inasfarastheparty can,forthe
same purpose, obtain execution procedures ontheproperty oftheopponent. Suchinterim injunctionsIP/N/6/AUT/1
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mayotherwise beissued ifthere istheprobability thatintheirabsence theopponent would behave
inawaysoastorender thecollection oftheoutstanding money difficult orimpossible fortheendangered
party, orifthesentence would havetobeexecuted abroad. Thesecurity measures tobeissued may
bethefollowing:
- thecustody andadministration ofmovable physical objects oftheopponent ofthe
endangered party;
- totalprohibition oftransfer orpawning ofmovable physical objects;
- inhibition ofthird parties (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 protective rights, patent rights, trademark rights, model rights orsemi-conductor rights may
alsobeissued ifthese preconditions donotexist.
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.
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. Thecourtmaymake 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 uponrequest
orexofficio .IP/N/6/AUT/1
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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 ofimmaterial
property rights.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
Noadministrative provisional measures areprovided forintheintellectual property rights law.
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?
Asuspension ofcustoms release applies to:
- "imitated goods" (foradefinition seeArt.1, para2,litaofECDirective No.3295/94);
- "unlawfully manufactured items ofduplication" (foradefinition seeArt.1,para3
ofECDirective No.3295/94).
These terms aremuch lessrigorously coined thantheterms "counterfeit trademark orpirated
copyright goods" asdefined inannotation 14toArticle 51oftheTRIPS Agreement andthusinclude
alsogoods notcovered bytheTRIPS Agreement.
Excluded from thecustoms authority measures are:
- Goods traffic between member states oftheEuropean Union, since customs checks
arenolonger effected there foraslongasthegoods aretransported within the
community;IP/N/6/AUT/1
Page8
- Original goods lawfully putonthemarket inanother country andintended forimports
orexportsincircumventionofcontractuallyfixeddistributionchannels(parallelimports,
re-imports);
- Goods without commercial character, belonging tothepersonal luggage oftravellers
andpermitted asdutyfreeimports.
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?
Anapplication fortheintervention ofcustoms authorities mustbefiledbythetitleholder or
anauthorized representative ofthelatter. Titleholders nothaving abusiness seatoraresidence in
Austria, mayfileanapplication viaanauthorized representative withabusiness seatoraresidence
inAustria only.
Theapplication mustbefiledwiththeCustoms Office atArnoldstein, Greuth 9,A-9602 Thörl-
Maglan, Tel:042558282-405, Telefax: 042558282-417.
Theapplication must contain:
- asufficiently precise description ofthegoods;
- evidence ofpossession oftherespective protection rightforthegoods; and
- indication oftheduration forwhich theintervention ofthecustoms authorities is
requested (theapplication mayberequested fortwoyears atthelongest, butisinfinitely
extendable).
Thetitleholdermustfurnishaguaranty(e.g.bankguarantyorcash),dependingontherespective
duration, andintended tocover theliability vis-à-vis aperson affected bythemeasures taken andany
transport ordepot costs inconnection withtheconfiscation ofgoods.
Theapplicant mustreimburse thecostsofpersonnel andmaterial incurred fortheintervention
ofthecustoms authorities when dealing withtheapplication, thepersonnel costsbeing charged according
tothepersonnel costratesapplied forcustoms procedures. Irrespective ofanycashreimbursements
orother material expenditure theywillamount tobetween ATS900.- and1.000.-
Thedecision issued onthebasis ofanapplication willbeforwarded toallAustrian customs
offices. Thelatter willintervene iftheydiscover goods which areasubject matter ofthedecision.
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/AUT/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.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
Theprocedures asspecified forcustoms release apply mutatis mutandis .Besides therelevant
procedural specifications above alltheprovisions onsecurity incustoms procedures mustbeadhered
to.
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Penal proceedings inaccordance withtheintellectual property rights lawandthetrademark
protection lawrestwiththejudge sitting alone atthecourt ofthefirstinstance (§91,para5UrhG;
§53,para2MarkG).
Penal proceedings inaccordance withthepatent law(§162,para2),model protection law
(§38,para2),utility model law(§44,para2)andthesemi-conductor protection law(§23,para2)
fallwithin thecompetence ofthecriminal court ofthefirstinstance inVienna.
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Acriminal offence according to§91oftheintellectual property rights lawiscommitted by
aperson whointentionally andunauthorized makes useofapiece ofliterature orartinawayreserved
totheauthor/originator;recordsthepresentationorperformanceofaworkofliteratureormusiccontrary
tolegalprovisions onapicture orsound carrier orduplicates ordistributes thelatter; broadcasts the
presentation orperformance ofawork ofliterature ormusic viaradio orpublicly reproduces it;makes
useofapicture orasound carrier inawayreserved tothemanufacturer ormakes useofabroadcast
inawayreserved toabroadcaster; furthermore, putsgoods exclusively destined tofacilitate theillegal
removal orcircumvention oftechnical mechanisms fortheprotection ofcomputer systems onthemarket
orpossesses thelatter forprofit-making purposes; and,furthermore, whoasowner ormanager of
anenterprise does notprevent activities ofthiskind undertaken byanemployed orotherwise
commissioned person.
Acriminal offence according to§§51and52ofthetrademark protection lawiscommitted
byaperson whointentionally, inawaythatmight cause confusion inbusiness, andunauthorized uses
aregistered trademark orasignsimilar tothetrademark formaking goods orservices, forwhich the
trademark wasregistered, orgoods orservices ofthesame kindtransactions, oroffers suchgoods
forsaleorputsthem onthemarket; furthermore, whounauthorized usesaname, acompany name
orthespecial designation ofacompany orasignsimilar tosuchdesignations formarking goods or
services, oroffers suchgoods forsaleorputsthem onthemarket. Theintentional infringement of
apatent (§159PatG), amodel right (§35MuSchG), autility model (§42GMG) and/or asemi-
conductor protection right(§HlSchG) alsoconstitutes acriminal offence; theowner ormanager of
acompany whodeliberately doesnotprevent suchcriminal activity onthepartofanemployed orIP/N/6/AUT/1
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otherwisecommissionedperson,makeshimselfliableforprosecution.Liabilityoftheownerormanager
ofacompany extends insuchcases alsotoorgans ofthecompany iftheowner isalegalperson.
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 offense.
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Seereply toquestion 22.
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production;
- other.
Criminal offenses inaccordance withtheintellectual property rights lawarepunishable by
imprisonment ofupto6months orfinesupto360daily rates.
Punishment forallother criminal offenses referred toabove isafineofupto360dailyrates.
Furthermore alllawsmentioned provide forthedestruction andrendering unusable ofobjects
andmeans encroached upontherequest oftheplaintiff andauthorization ofthewinning party topublish
thedecision attheexpense ofthesentenced party (see§92UrhG, §54MarkG, and§§148fPatG,
towhich theother lawsrefer).
Inaccordance withtheintellectual property rights lawobjects andmeans encroached maybe
confiscated upon therequest oftheplaintiff (§92UrhG). Destruction andrendering unusable may
alsohavetobeordered inaseparate proceeding (§92,para2UrhG).
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
Nodataavailable.