WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/ESP/1
7May1997
ORGANIZATION(97-1960)
Original: Spanish Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECK-LIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT
Replies from Spain
Civil andadministrative procedures andremedies
(a) Civil judicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
Copyright andrelated rights
Asageneral rule,thecivilcourts (ranging fromthecourts offirstinstance (Juzgados dePrimera
Instancia) totheCivil Division oftheSupreme Court) havejurisdiction. Withrespect totheadoption
ofprecautionary measures fortheurgent protection ofintellectual property rights, thevenue isthat
ofthecourt offirstinstance inwhose jurisdiction theinfringement takes place orthere exists prima
facieevidence thatitwilltakeplace, orinwhich thespecimens thatareconsidered unlawful havebeen
discovered, atthechoice oftheperson applying forthemeasures.
Nevertheless, oncetheprincipal claim hasbeenbrought, thejudge trying thecasewillalone
havejurisdiction inrelation tothemeasure adopted. When themeasure isapplied foratthesame time
astheclaim isbrought inthecorresponding declaratory-judgement proceedings orduring thehandling
oftheproceedings, thejudge orcourt withjurisdiction forhearing thecaseorthejudge orcourt already
trying thecase, respectively, willhavejurisdiction.
Suchmeasures canalsobedecided bycriminal courts incriminal casesconcerning infringement
ofrights, without prejudice totheadoption ofanyother measures provided forincriminal procedural
law.
Industrial property andunfair competition
Inthecaseofinfringement ofindustrial property rights, pursuant toArticle 125ofthePatents
Act11/1986 of20March, jurisdiction restswiththecourts offirstinstance ofthecitywhere theHigh
Court ofJustice (Tribunal Superior deJusticia) oftheAutonomous Community corresponding tothe
domicile ofthedefendant hasitsseat(there are17High Courts ofJustice inSpain). TheProvincial
High Courts (Audiencias Provinciales) ofthecitywhere theHigh Court ofJustice hasitsseathave
jurisdiction forappeals. TheSupreme Court hasjurisdiction inthecaseofapplications forannulment
(remedy ofcasación ).
Withrespect toproceedings concerning unfair competition, pursuant toArticle 23oftheUnfair
Competition Act3/1991 of10January, thecourt offirstinstance oftheplace where thedefendant
hashisplace ofbusiness or,failing such, thedefendant 'sdomicile, or,ifthedefendant hasneither
establishment nordomicile inSpain, ofthedefendant 'scustomary place ofresidence, hasjurisdiction.
Theaction mayalsobebrought intheplace where theinjury occurred.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytheright holder?
Copyright andrelated rights
Thepersons withstanding toassert intellectual property rights aretheir holders (actors,
phonogram producers, assignees, heirs, etc.). These persons shall berepresented byabarrister
(procurador) legally authorized toappear incourt, andadvised byasolicitor (abogado) .Holders of
rights mayalsoentrust theirmanagement toso-called "management agencies" (entidades degestión) ,
legally constituted entities authorized bytheMinistry ofCulture toengage either ontheirownbehalf
oronbehalf ofothers inthemanagement ofexploitation andother patrimonial rights, onbehalf of
andintheinterest ofvarious authors orother holders ofintellectual property rights; onceauthorized,
suchentities mayexercise therights entrusted totheirmanagement andassert them inalltypes of
administrative orlegalproceedings. Forthepurposes ofproviding documentary credentials oftheir
standingorrepresentativestatus,atthetimeofpresentingorchallengingtheapplication,themanagement
entity must bring forward intheproceedings acopy ofitsby-laws andcertification accrediting its
authorization bytheadministration. Thedefendant mayonlyoppose, withduesubstantiation, thelack
ofrepresentative status oftheentity bringing theaction, theauthorization oftheholder oftheexclusive
rightorthepayment oftheremuneration concerned.
Theadoptionofprecautionarymeasuresisappliedforinwriting,signedbythepersonconcerned
orhislegalorvoluntary representative, without needofintervention byabarrister ortheassistance
ofasolicitor, unless theprecautionary measure isapplied foratthesame timeastheprincipal claim
isbrought inthedeclaratory-judgement proceedings concerned orduring thehandling ofthesaid
proceedings.
Industrial property andunfair competition
Inthecaseofactions concerning industrial property, theholder oftheinfringed right and,
asthecasemaybeandsubsidiarily, theexclusive licensee havestanding (Article 124ofthePatents
Act). Anon-exclusive licensee mayhavestanding ifhemakes anapplication before therightholder.
Inthecaseofunfair competition, persons participating inthemarket whose economic interests
areinjured orthreatened bytheactofunfair competition havestanding tobring actions (Article 19
oftheUnfair Competition Act).
Asageneral rule,itiscompulsory toberepresented inproceedings byasolicitor (abogado)
andbarrister (procurador) (Article 3oftheLawofCivilProcedure of3February 1881aslastamended
on30April 1992).
Lastly, asregards thepersonal appearance before thecourt bytherightholder, under Spanish
civillawthere isnoobligation toappear inperson before thecourt.
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
Copyright andrelated rights
Theintellectual property legislation doesnotestablish specific rulesinthisregard, andtherefore
thecivilprocedural rules apply.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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Anyparty maypropose evidence; itisforthejudge toadmit orrefuse it,without possibility
ofappeal against court orders forthetaking ofevidence (itisonlypossible toappeal against court
orders refusing evidence).
Inthecaseofevidence provided bydeposition during thetrial,every litigant isobliged todepose
under oathorpromise when theopposing party sodemands, butduring theappearance thejudge shall
previously decide ontheadmissibility ofquestions. Alitigant residing within thedistrict served by
thecourt maybeobliged toappear before thejudge togiveevidence, unless prevented from doing
sobyreasonable cause intheopinion ofthesame judge. Iftheperson whoreceived thesummons
doesnotappear onthesecond citation without reasonable cause, refuses togiveevidence orpersists
innotreplying, despite having beenwarned, theymaybeconsidered self-confessed inthefinaldecision.
Inthecaseofprivate documents, correspondence andbusiness books, persons whoarenot
litigants andaretheirexclusive owners willberequired toproduce them onlywhen, following the
request byaparty thattheybeproduced, thejudge considers thatthisisessential inorder todeliver
adecision. Insuchcases, thejudge willorder thepersonal appearance oftheperson whohasthem
inhispossession and,afterhearing thatperson, decide asheseesfit.
Industrial property andunfair competition
Withrespect toindustrial property, theSpanish legalsystem provides fortheprior collection
ofevidence (Articles 129to132ofthePatents Act). Thisisameasure taken bythejudge tocollect
evidence inthepossession ofthedefendant.
Withrespect tounfair competition, Article 24oftheUnfair Competition Actlikewise provides
forthepossibility ofpreliminary collection ofevidence, while Article 26addsthepossibility thatthe
judge mayrequire adefendant toprovide proof oftheaccuracy andtruth ofhisstatements or
declarations.
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Copyright andrelated rights
Inaccordance withLawofCivil Procedure, alltaking ofevidence, including fromwitnesses,
must takeplace inopen court. Theonlyexception iswhere thejudge maydecide totakeevidence
inaprivate hearing ongrounds ofmorals ordecency. Theonlyreference made bytheIntellectual
Property Actconcerns thedutytorespect theprinciples ofconfidentiality orbusiness secrecy inthe
caseofmanagement entities or,asthecasemaybe,management association orrepresentation thereof,
concerning information ofwhich theyhavecognizance intheexercise oftheirpowers (Article 25.22
oftherevised textoftheIntellectual Property Actapproved byRoyal Legislative Decree 1/1996 of
12April).
Industrial property andunfair competition
With respect toindustrial property, Article 130.4 Patents Actprovides that,when ordering
thetaking ofevidence, thejudge shallinallcases ensure thatthisdoesnotserve toviolate industrial
secrets orcarry outactsconstituting unfair competition.
Asregards unfair competition, Article 24.2oftheUnfair Competition Actrefers tothePatents
Act.IP/N/6/ESP/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.
Copyright andrelated rights
Thecessation oftheunlawful activity sought bytherightholder maycomprise:
(a) Suspension oftheinfringing exploitation;
(b) prohibiting theinfringer from resuming suchexploitation;
(c) withdrawing theillegal specimens from trade anddestroying them;
(d) thenon-useand,wherenecessary,destructionofthemoulds,plates,matrices,negatives,
andother elements intended exclusively forthepurpose ofthereproduction ofillegal
specimens andoftheinstruments whose soleuseistofacilitate theunauthorized
suppression orneutralization ofanytechnical device used toprotect acomputer
programme;
(e) theremoval orimpounding oftheequipment used forunauthorized public
communication.
Inaddition, theinfringer mayrequest thatthedestruction orthenon-use oftheabove-mentioned
specimens andmaterials, when susceptible ofother uses, becarried outonlytotheextent necessary
toprevent theunlawful exploitation.
Theholder oftheinfringed rightmayrequest thattheabove-mentioned specimens andmaterials
behanded overatcostprice andonaccount ofthecorresponding damages.
Theforegoing doesnotapply tospecimens acquired ingood faithforpersonal use.
With respect toindemnification formaterial damage, theinjured party maychoose between
theprofit hewould presumedly have obtained intheabsence oftheunlawful utilization, orthe
remuneration hewould havereceived ifhehadauthorized theexploitation.
Inthecaseofnon-material damage, indemnification willbepayable evenifeconomic prejudice
isnotproved toexist. Theevaluation ofsuchindemnification willtakeaccount ofthecircumstances
oftheinfringement, seriousness oftheinjury anddegree ofunlawful dissemination ofthework.
Thelimitation period foractions fordamages isfiveyears fromthedatewhen theycould be
brought (Article 134ffoftherevised textoftheIntellectual Property Act).IP/N/6/ESP/1
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Industrial property andunfair competition
Inaccordance withArticle 63ofthePatents Act,themeasures thatmaybeordered bythe
judicial authorities withrespect toindustrial property, areasfollows:
(a) Cessation oftheinfringing acts;
(b) damages, forwhich thequantification criteria aretheconsequential damage, lossof
profit andunjust enrichment (Articles 65and66ofthePatents Act). Thedefendant 's
guiltisnotarequirement;
(c) seizure oftheinfringing objects produced orimported, andofthemeans used
exclusively fortheproduction oftheinfringing object;
(d) attribution ofownership oftheseized goods;
(e) publication ofthesentence.
Inthecaseofunfair competition, themeasures established bytheUnfair Competition Act
(Article 18)areequivalent tothose described above.
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany, dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform theright holder oftheidentity ofthird parties involved intheproduction
anddistribution ofgoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheirchannels ofdistribution?
Copyright andrelated rights
Thejudge'sauthority inthisrespect isabsolute, inorder toarrive atadecision.
Industrial property andunfair competition
Generally speaking, thelegalprocedure forobtaining information onchannels ofdistribution
isthatofdeposition (Article 497.1 oftheLawofCivil Procedure).
7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat "remedial
measures" areapplicable tothem?
Copyright andrelated rights
Inthecaseofapplications fortheadoption ofprecautionary measures, thejudge mayrequire
theapplicant toprovide asecurity sufficient tomeetanyinjury andcosts thatmayarise, asindicated
inArticle 137oftherevised textoftheIntellectual Property Act.
Industrial property andunfair competition
With respect toindustrial property rights, inthecaseofbothpreliminary proceedings and
precautionary measures (Articles 132and137ofthePatents Act,respectively) thelawprovides for
thefixing ofasecurity foranyinjury caused tothedefendant.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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With respect totheliability ofthejudicial authorities, thisisgoverned byArticle 411to413
oftheOrganic LawoftheJudicial Power andtheremedy ofcivilliability against magistrates andjudges
(Article 903ffoftheLawofCivil Procedure).
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
Copyright andrelated rights
Actions fordamages maybebrought within aperiod offiveyears, asmentioned inthereply
toquestion 5.With regard totheduration ofproceedings, thelawissilent except inthecaseofthe
adoption ofprecautionary measures, which must behandled onapriority basis.
Thecostdepends onmany factors (theright being defended, professional fees,etc.)which
varyfrom casetocase.
Industrial property andunfair competition
Inthecaseofindustrial property, thelimitation period foractions fordamages isfiveyears
(Article 71ofthePatents Act).
Inthecaseofunfair competition, thelimitation period foractions fordamages isoneyear
(Article 21).
There arenoprovisions concerning theduration andcostsofsuchprocedures, which depend
onthespecific case.
(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
Reply corresponding toquestion 1:Department ofCustoms andSpecial Taxes oftheState
Agency forTaxAdministration, asthecentral service, andCustoms Administrations asoperational
services.
With regard toindustrial property, theSpanish Patent andTrademark Office isthebody that
handles andresolves procedures forthegranting ofrights. Thehandling ofthevarious procedures
isdecentralized anddelegated toDepartmental Directors, whose decisions maybechallenged through
theordinary channel ofapplication totheDirector oftheOffice. Thelatter’sdecisions maybeappealed
tothecourts oftheadministrative-law jurisdiction.
Reply corresponding toquestion 2:Firstly, therightholder himself; secondly, theperson
authorized tousetherightor,thirdly, arepresentative oftherightholder. Inthesecond oftheabove
cases, representation mustbeaccredited byatitle(original ordulycertified copy) byvirtue ofwhich
theperson isauthorized tousetheright. Inthethirdcase, inaddition totheforegoing, anotarised
authorization toexercise thefunction isrequired.
Reply corresponding toquestion 4:Thedecentralized Customs Services aregiven certified
copies oftheregistry certifications ofthetrademarks aswellasallinformation available todistinguish
genuine from falsegoods. Thisinformation mayonlybeusedfortheabove-mentioned purposes.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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Reply corresponding toquestion 5:
- Measures adopted bythecustoms authorities;
- detention ofgoods presumed tobecounterfeit orpirated;
- destruction inthecaseofabandoned goods proved tobecounterfeit;
- therightholder isrequired toprovide aliability undertaking inwhich herecognizes
liability totheimporter, exporter orperson engaged inasuspended operation who
isinjured bytheinterruption oftheinitiated procedure owing toanactoromission
bytherightholder orwhere thegoods arefound tobegenuine. Therightholder also
guarantees payment ofthecostsincurred inkeeping thegoods under customs control.
Reply corresponding toquestion 7:Theexercise bycustoms ofitspowers tocombat counterfeit
orpirated goods doesnotrender itliable vis-à-vis importers/exporters orpersons engaged insuspended
operations foranyinjury caused byitsintervention.
Provisional measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
Copyright andrelated rights
Asstated inArticle 136oftherevised textoftheIntellectual Property Act,intheevent of
infringement orwhere there isarational andwell-founded fearthatsuchinfringement isimminent,
thejudicial authority mayorder, attherequest oftherightholders, suchprovisional (precautionary)
measures asmaybenecessary, according tothecircumstances, fortheemergency protection ofsuch
rights, andinparticular:
(a) Audit anddeposit oftheincome obtained fromtheunlawful activity inquestion, or,
asthecasemaybe,(court) deposit oftheamounts owed bywayofremuneration;
(b) suspension oftheactivity ofreproduction, distribution andpublication, asappropriate;
(c) seizure ofthespecimens produced orusedandthematerials employed exclusively for
theproduction orpublic communication;
(d) seizure oftheequipment, apparatus andmaterials.
Industrial property andunfair competition
With regard toindustrial property, Article 134ofthePatents Actprovides anillustrative list
ofthefollowing provisional orprecautionary measures:
(a) Cessation oftheinfringing acts;
(b) detention anddeposit oftheobjects produced andofthemeans usedfortheviolation;IP/N/6/ESP/1
Page8
(c) lodging ofasecurity forindemnification;
(d) filing intheregister.
With respect tounfair competition, precautionary measures areprovided forinArticle 25of
theUnfair Competition Actwithout specifying them.
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
Copyright andrelated rights
Inthesame circumstances asthose mentioned intheprevious reply.
Industrial property andunfair competition
Precautionary measures inaudita altera parte maybeadopted atthejudge'sdiscretion
(Article 135.2 ofthePatents Act).
With regard tounfair competition, Article 25.2oftheUnfair Competition Actrequires the
existence ofserious andimminent danger tobeabletoadopt suchprecautionary measures, which must
beordered, where appropriate, within 24hours ofthesubmission oftheapplication.
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect thelegitimate
interests ofthedefendant.
Copyright andrelated rights
Inaccordance withArticle 137oftherevised textoftheIntellectual Property Act,suchmeasures
mustbeapplied forinwriting bytheperson concerned orhislegalorvoluntary representative, without
needofintervention byabarrister orassistance ofasolicitor, except where themeasure isapplied
foratthemoment when aclaim wasbrought inthecorresponding declaratory judgement proceedings
orduring thehandling oftheproceedings.
Within 10daysfollowing thesubmission ofthewritten application, which istransmitted to
theparties, thejudge hears thepersons whocome forward toappear and,inanycase, issues aformal
decision onthedayfollowing theendoftheabove-mentioned period. Thedecision shallbeappealable
without stayofexecution.
Nevertheless, inthecaseofprotection ofcomputer programs andbefore thewritten application
istransmitted totheparties, thejudge mayrequest reports andorder investigations asheseesfit.
Anyoftheparties mayrequest judicial examination oftheevidence, which shallbecarried
outimmediately ifaccepted.
Prior tothedecision orinit,thejudge may, ifheseesfit,require theapplicant tolodge a
security, excluding personal security, sufficient tocover anyinjury andcosts thatmaybecaused.
Ifthemeasures wererequested priortobringing theaction, thelatter mustbefiledwithin eight
daysofthegrant ofthemeasures. Inanycase,theapplicant mayreapply forprecautionary measures,
provided newfactscome tolightconcerning theinfringement ortheapplicant hasobtained evidence
which waspreviously lacking.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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Industrial property andunfair competition
Theprocedure begins withawritten application bytheapplicant. Thewritten application may
besubmitted before, afterortogether withtheprincipal action. Thewritten application mustspecify
themeasures requested withthecorresponding offerofevidence. Theprocedure hasshorttime-limits.
Withrespect tounfair competition, theUnfair Competition Actrefers tothegeneral procedure
oftheLawofCivil Procedure (Article 25.4).
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostoftheproceedings?
Same reply astoquestion No.8above.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Replies totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures .
Reply relating toquestion 10:Theprovisions ofRegulation (EC)3295/94 arefulfilled. Where
there isnoapplication foraction thesuspension ofrelease ordetention ofthegoods ismaintained for
three days. Ifaction hasbeengranted, aperiod of10daysfrom thenotification ofthesuspension
ofrelease ordetention isgranted forbringing anaction before thecompetent judicial authority; this
time-limit maybeextended forafurther period ofupto10working days.
Reply relating toquestion 12:Theright-holder, theperson authorized tousetherightora
representative thereof, suitably accredited (seesecond paragraph ofthereply toquestion 9),submits
anapplication foraction totheDepartment ofCustoms andSpecial Taxes, accompanied byoriginal
ordulycertified andvalid copies ofregistry certifications ofthetrademarks orindustrial orartistic
designs forwhich protection issought (books, films, phonographic productions andothermanifestations
ofcopyright, which willbecovered bySpanish laweveniftheyhavenotbeenfiledinthecorresponding
Register, arealsoprotected).
After theDepartment hasexamined thedocumentation andifitagrees, action isgranted and
thedecision istransmitted toallregional customs departments forinformation andtransmittal tothe
competentcustomsofficesandtotheapplicant.Atthesametimethelatterisgivenaliabilityundertaking
tobereturned dulysigned within ashort period.
When acustoms office detects goods presumed tobecounterfeit orpirated, forwhich action
hasbeengranted, itsoinforms theDepartment ofCustoms andSpecial Taxes. Thelatter informs
therightholder ofthedetention/suspension for10days, providing information relating totheoperation
subjecttoaction(importer,exporter,consignee,detailsofthemerchandise).Therightholderinquestion
maybeauthorized toinspect thegoods.
During theabove-mentioned 10-day period, which maybeextended forafurther 10dayson
request, anaction must bebrought before thecompetent judicial authority todecide onthemerits.
Reply relating toquestion 13:Theduration oftheprocedure is20daysatmostifanaction
isnotbrought. Ifitis,theduration cannot bedetermined (itdepends ontheduration ofthejudicial
proceedings). Thecostoftheprocedure isnotevaluated.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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Special requirements related toborder measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable alsoin
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?
Inaddition tocounterfeit orpirated goods, action mayberequested, asmentioned above, in
thecaseofbooks, films, phonographic productions andother manifestations ofcopyright evenwhere
theyhavenotbeenfiledinthecorresponding Register. Thesoleexception tothisprovision isgoods
originating inacountry oftheEuropean Union (EU) orwhich havebeenreleased forconsumption
inanEUmember State. Theprocedure doesnotapply toimports ofgoods putonthemarket inanother
country byorwiththeconsent oftherightholder, butdoesapply togoods destined forexportation.
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 Article 53(security orequivalent assurance) ,
56(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofgoods) and57(right ofinspection and
information) been implemented?
Department ofCustoms andSpecial Taxes, Customs Import Services, Right Holder,
Importer/Exporter andCourt ofFirstInstance/Magistrate 'sCourt (Article 51).
Theapplication mustcontain asufficiently precise description ofthegoods toenable thecustoms
authority torecognize them andadocument accrediting theapplicant astherightholder. Theright
holder mustalsofurnish anyuseful information inhispossession, sothatthedecision ontheapplication
maybetaken inknowledge ofthefacts(Article 52).
Theduration ofthesuspension willbe10working days, which maybeextended forafurther
10days, from thecommunication ofthesuspension (Article 55).
Uptothispoint, theapplicant isonlyrequired tolodge aliability undertaking.
Pursuant tothisundertaking, therightholder maybeliable toanaction bytheimporter or
owner ofthegoods forrecovery ofexpenses incurred (Article 53).
Oncecustomsactionhasbeengranted,therightholderhastherightofinspectionandinformation
concerning thegoods presumed tobecounterfeit orpirated (Article 57).
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity ofdecisions
bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofreecirculation?
Neither theduration northecostarespecified. Therelevant provision isLaw30/92 of
26November ontheLegal Regime ofthePublic Administrations andCommon Administrative
Proceedings.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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Themaximum period ofvalidity ofthegrant ofcustoms action isoneyear, which maybe
extended attherequest oftherightholder.
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
They arerequired toactexofficio if,during controls carried outinthecourse ofcustoms
procedures, andbefore anapplication bytherightholder hasbeenlodged oraccepted, itisevident
thatthegoods arecounterfeit orpirated, andprovided therightholder isidentified.
Inthiscase, therelease ofthegood shallbesuspended orthegoods shallbedetained fora
period ofthreeworking daystoenable therightholder tolodge anapplication foraction. Theapplicable
provision isCouncil Regulation (EC) No.3295/94.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
TheDepartment ofCustoms andSpecial Taxes, asthecoordinating agency between customs
andrightholders, anddecision-making agency forreceiving andgranting applications foraction.
TheCustoms Import Services forhandling andcommunicating totheDepartment ofCustoms
thedetention ofgoods presumed tobecounterfeit orpirated.
TheCourtofFirstInstance/Magistrate'sCourtisthecompetentauthoritytowhichtheapplication
must bemade todecide onthemerits ofcases concerning goods deemed tobecounterfeit/pirated.
Criminal procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Themagistrate 'scourts (Juzgados deInstrucción )havejurisdiction forpre-trial proceedings
(Article87oftheOrganicLawoftheJudicialPower).TheProvincialHighCourt(AudienciaProvincial)
hasjurisdiction fortrialproceedings (Article 82oftheOrganic LawoftheJudiciary) andtheSupreme
Court forappeals forannulment (casación )(Article 57oftheOrganic LawoftheJudiciary).
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich Intellectual Property Rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
Copyright andrelated rights
Under Article 270oftheCriminal Code aseries ofactsconstitute intellectual property offences,
specifically: aperson whoforprofit andwithinjury toanother person reproduces, copies, distributes
orcommunicates publicly allorpartofaliterary, artistic orscientific work, oritsartistic transformation,
interpretation orperformance fixed onanytypeofmedium orcommunicated through anymedium
withouttheauthorizationoftheholdersofthecorrespondingintellectualpropertyrightsortheirassignees.
Secondly, thebehaviour ofsomeone whowilfully imports, exports orstores copies ofsuch
works orproductions orperformances without dueauthorization.
Lastly, themaking, putting intocirculation andpossession ofanymeans specifically intended
tofacilitate theunauthorized suppression orneutralization ofanytechnical device usedtoprotect
computer programmes.IP/N/6/ESP/1
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Industrial property andunfair competition
Under theCriminal Code (Organic Lawof10/1995, of23November) thefollowing industrial
property rights areprotected andthefollowing infringements arepunished:
- Patents andutility models: manufacturing, importing, possession, use,offering,
introduction intotrade, disclosure ofsecret patents (Articles 273and277ofthePenal
Code);
- layout designs (topographies) ofsemiconductor products: sameinfringements punished
asinthecaseofpatents (Article 273.3 oftheCriminal Code);
- trade marks, trade names andtitles ofestablishments: reproduction, imitation,
modification, use,possession formarketing andintroduction intotrade (Article 274
oftheCriminal Code);
- designations oforigin: same infringements punished asinthecaseoftrade marks
(Article 275oftheCriminal Code);
- protection ofundisclosed information: appropriation (Article 278oftheCriminal
Code).
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
Thepublic authority responsible forprosecuting offences isthepublic prosecutor (Ministerio
Fiscal) Article 3ofLaw50/1981 oftheStatute ofthePublic Prosecutor). ThePublic Prosecutor acts
exofficio andalsooncomplaint bytheperson concerned inconnection withindustrial property offences.
Criminal actions arepublic (Article 103oftheLawofCriminal Procedure).
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Allprivate persons whoareholders orassignees ofanintellectual property righthavestanding;
however, inaccordance withtheLawofCriminal Procedure (Article 103), criminal actions arepublic
andtherefore allcitizens maybring themprovided theydosoinaccordance withthelegalrequirements
(with theexception ofcases covered byArticle 103oftheLawofCriminal Procedure).
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- Imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production;
- other.IP/N/6/ESP/1
Page13
Copyright andrelated rights
Article 270oftheCriminal Code provides forimprisonment forsixmonths totwoyears or
afineofsixto24months foranyone committing theoffences described above inthereply to
question 21.
Inaddition, Article 271provides forimprisonment foronetofouryears, afineofeight to
24months andspecific disqualification fromexercising theprofession related totheoffence committed
foraperiod oftwotofiveyears inanyofthefollowing circumstances:
(a) Theprofit obtained isofparticular economic importance;
(b) theinjury caused isparticularly serious.
Insuchcases, thejudge orcourt mayalsoorder thetemporary orpermanent closure ofthe
convicted person 'sindustry orestablishment. Temporary closure maynotexceed fiveyears.
Intheevent ofconviction, thejudge orcourt mayorder thatthesentence bepublished atthe
infringer 'sexpense inanofficial periodical publication.
Inaddition, asmentioned above, thereisalsothepossibility ofadopting precautionary measures
incriminal cases.
Industrial property andunfair competition
With respect tothevarious types ofinfringement mentioned inthereply tothequestion 21,
thepenalties areasfollows:
- Patents, utility models andtopographies ofsemiconductor products: imprisonment
forsixmonths totwoyears andfineofsixto24months;
- trade marks, trade names andtitlesofestablishments: same penalties asinventions;
- inthepreceding twocases, iftheinfringement isparticularly serious, theprison term
runsfrom twotofouryears andthefinefrom 12to24months withprofessional
disqualification oftheinfringer;
- thejudge mayalsoorder thetemporary (notexceeding fiveyears) orpermanent closure
oftheenterprise;
- infringement ofsecrecy (protection ofundisclosed information) ispunishable by
imprisonment fortwotofouryears andafineof12to24months.
Other measures arethegeneral penalties applicable toalloffences. Inthisconnection, mention
should bemade of:
- Civilliability,assetforthinArticles109andfollowingoftheCriminalCode,including:
- Restoration ofthegood;
- reparation oftheinjury;IP/N/6/ESP/1
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- indemnification ofthedamage.
- seizure ofgoods (Article 127oftheCriminal Code).
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir costifany.
There arenolegalprovisions inthisrespect: thecontent ofthereplytoquestion 8above applies,
withregard totheindeterminate nature oftheduration andcostofproceedings.