本　期　提　要　HEADLINES

 1.  商標法第77-1及79條修正公布施行

為配合行政程序法於九十年一月一日施行，行政院前於九十一年三月二十日送請立法院審議之商標法七十七條之一、第七十九條修正草案，業經總統於九十一年五月二十九日令修正公布。 

是項修正條文如下：

第77-1條

商標異議、評定及廢止案件之處理，適用本法新舊規定之原則如左：          

1.  商標異議案件適用異議審定時之規定。                                     

2.  商標評定案件適用註冊時之規定。但其申請或提請評定程序適用評決時之規定。                                                            

3.  商標廢止案件適用廢止處分時之規定。 

第79條

本法除中華民國八十六年五月七日修正公布之第四條、第五條、第二十三條、第二十五條、第三十四條、第三十七條及第六十一條之施行日期由行政院定之外，自公布日施行。  

而前揭第四、五、二十三、二十五、三十四、三十七及六十一條文等之施行日期，前已由行政院訂定自八十七年十一月一日施行。

Amendments to Articles 77-1 & 79 of Trademark Law

The Executive Yuan had previously on March 20, 2002 submitted draft amendments to Articles 77-1 and 79 of the Trademark Law for deliberation by the Legislative Yuan, in order to be consistent with the Administrative Procedures Law, which had come into force on January 1, 2001.  These amendments are now promulgated by order of the President on May 29, 2002. 

The revised articles are as follows:

Article 77-1: The following principles shall guide application of new or old provisions of this Law, in relation to objections to, determination of, and revocation of trademarks:

1.  In relation to objection to trademark matters, the law applicable as at time of determination of objection shall apply.

2.  In relation to determination of trademark matters, the law applicable as at time of registration shall apply, provided that its application or submission for determination procedures shall be those procedures applicable as at time of determination of trademark.

3.  In relation to revocation of trademark matters, the law applicable as at time of determination of revocation shall apply. 

Article 79:  This Law shall enter into force as from date of promulgation, except for Articles 4, 5, 23, 25, 34, 37 and 61 amended on May 7, 1997, whose date of entry into force shall be separately determined by the Executive Yuan. 

The Executive Yuan had already determined that the aforementioned Articles 4, 5, 23, 25, 34, 37 and 61 would enter into force on November 1, 1998.

2.  智慧局研修「著作權仲介團體條例」第二十三及四十二條修正案

為讓利用人瞭解仲介團體所管理之著作財產權範圍及收費情行，暨網際網路連結可快速便捷提供查詢服務，經濟部智慧財產局爰擬於本條例第二十三條明文規定，仲介團體所編造之著作財產權目錄及使用收費表，應以書面及網際網路之方式提供查閱，以便於利用人與仲介團體洽談授權契約，約定使用報酬。 

另為有效監督仲介團體業務之執行，課以仲介團體所公開供公眾查閱之著作財產權目錄內容正確性之責任，該局另爰擬於本條例第四十二條明定，仲介團體違反修正修文第二十三條規定時，著作權專責機關應限期命其改正，併得科以行政罰鍰，屆期仍未改正者，得連續處罰至改正為止。 

該局為廣徵建言，並於五月二十八日假該局舉行座談會，以作為修法之參卓。

IPO Proposes to Amend Articles 23 and 42 of "Copyright Intermediary Organization Regulations"

In order to enable users to ascertain scope of copyright managed by copyright intermediary organizations, the fee charged, as well as to provide efficient online search services, the IPO proposes to require, in Article 23 of these Regulations, that the copyright index and fees schedule prepared by copyright intermediary organizations should be made available in writing as well as via the Internet.  This will enable users to discuss license agreements with these intermediary organizations and to agree upon license fees. 

In order to effectively monitor business carried out by copyright intermediary organizations, such organizations will also be responsible for ensuring the copyright index made available to the public is correct.  The IPO also proposes to stipulate in Article 42 of the Regulations that where an intermediary organization violates Article 23, the competent copyright authorities will issue an order for rectification as well as possibly impose an administrative fine.  The fine may be imposed consecutively until the violation is rectified. 

The IPO had held a public hearing on May 28 to solicit public comments concerning the proposed amendments.

3.  智慧局說明「揚州炒飯」商標問題

關於大陸工商行政管理局核准「揚州炒飯」註冊商標，引起媒體注意及業界恐慌乙事，經濟部智慧財產局於日前表示，「揚州炒飯」在我國是習知的一道菜餚名稱，以之使用於餐飲服務或炒飯商品，應係指定之服務或商品本身習慣上通用之名稱，依我國商標法第三十七條第十款規定，應不准註冊商標。所以大陸廠商如持以向我國申請商標註冊，依前揭規定應不准註冊，且經該局檢索現行核准之商標資料庫，亦無以「揚州炒飯」核准註冊為商標之事實。 

該局並指出，至於大陸「揚州炒飯」商標權人，是否可以持以向國內業者主張專用權禁止業者使用乙節，因各國商標註冊係採屬地主義，也就是說註冊人只有在其註冊國享有商標專用權可據以禁止他人使用，大陸註冊之「揚州炒飯」商標應只有在大陸地區可以禁止他人使用該商標，並不能拘束國內業者使用該名稱，業界尚不必恐慌。

IPO Explains "揚州炒飯(Yangzhou Fried Rice)" Trademark Issue

The Economic Administrative & Management Bureau of Mainland China had recently approved registration of the trademark "揚州炒飯(Yangzhou Fried Rice)", attracting media attention and industry concerns.  Taiwan's IPO had recently indicated that "Yangzhou Fried Rice" is customarily known as the popular name for a dish in Taiwan, and its use in respect of food and beverage services or fried rice products is a common name in respect of these goods or services.  Under Paragraph 10 of Article 37 of Taiwan's Trademark Law, it will not be registrable.  If a Mainland Chinese business intends to apply for registration of "Yangzhou Fried Rice" as a trademark in Taiwan, according to the aforementioned Article the application will not be approved.  IPO's search of the trademark database also shows that no one has previously registered "Yangzhou Fried Rice" as a trademark in Taiwan. 

As for the question of whether owner of the "Yangzhou Fried Rice" trademark in Mainland China will be able to prevent Taiwanese businesses from using the name, the IPO indicated that as each country has the right to determine whether it will allow any particular trademark registration, trademark owners only have the right to prevent use of the trademark by other people in the country of registration.  In other words, the owner of "Yangzhou Fried Rice" trademark registered in Mainland China will only be able to prevent others from using the trademark in China, and will not be able to preclude Taiwanese businesses from using the name.  Therefore the industry need not be unduly alarmed.

4.  「光碟聯合查核小組」密集不定期突檢非法光碟廠商

「光碟管理條例」於去（九十）年十一月十六日生效施行，依該條例第二十三、二十六及二十七條規定，凡於該條例施行前已從事光碟製造之事業，應於施行日起六個月內(即五月十五日前)向主管機關申請備查製造機具及來源識別碼，並申請領取製造許可文件。 

經濟部為貫徹執行光碟管理條例，依據該條例訂定「光碟管理業務及查核作業實施要點」，由該部工業局、國際貿易局、標準檢驗局、智慧財產局及查禁仿冒商品小組組成「光碟聯合查核小組」，執行光碟製造場所之查核作業。自本（九十一）年一月十五日展開首次查核工作以來，截至日前共查核六十二家廠商，查核重點主要為法令的宣導和普查，期間並有五次配合檢警調單位查緝非法光碟廠行動，且已依光碟管理條例第十七條規定，對其中一家地下工廠開立處分書，除命令其停工、沒收光碟成品及半成品外，並處以新台幣二百萬元之罰鍰。 

經濟部重申，自本年五月十六日起，對於合法登記之廠商，原則上以定期方式巡迴查核，每半年為一週期，對於經蒐證或檢舉之未登記光碟廠所，將持續與檢警調查緝單位協調合作，以不定期突檢，並採重點密集重複檢查直至關廠為止。

"Optical Media Joint Investigation Taskforce" Raids Illegal Manufacturers

The Optical Media Management Law had entered into force on November 16, 2001.  Pursuant to Articles 23, 26 and 27 of this Law, optical media manufacturers that were in business before that date must file declarations with the competent authorities within 6 months of that date (i.e. before May 15) in respect their manufacturing equipment and source identification code. They must also apply for manufacturing permits. 

For the purposes of truly enforcing the Law and in accordance with the "Enforcement Guidelines for Optical Media Management Matters & Investigation Procedures", a joint investigation taskforce was formed, comprising of the Industrial Development Bureau, the Board of Foreign Trade, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), the Intellectual Property Office and the Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce, in order to carry out inspections of optical media manufacturers.  Since commencement of the inspections on January 15, 2002, to date the Taskforce had inspected 62 manufacturers, generally for the purposes of promoting compliance with the Law and inspecting the work practices.  On 5 occasions the police and prosecutorial departments had cooperated in raiding illegal manufacturers, and one manufacturer had been issued with an administrative order pursuant to Article 17 of the Law.  The manufacturer had been ordered to cease production, to pay a fine of NT$2 million, and its products and semi-finished products were confiscated. 

The MOEA had confirmed that starting from May 16, 2002, in principle it will conduct regular inspections of registered manufacturers at half-yearly intervals.  In cooperation with police and prosecutorial departments, the Taskforce will conduct random inspections and re-inspections of those unregistered manufacturers that have been investigated or were subject to complaints, until they are ultimately closed down.

5.  公平會成立「軟體市場壟斷問題專案調查小組」

針對最近社會各界關切軟體廠商涉及濫用獨占地位之行為，行政院公平交易委員會於日前成立「軟體市場壟斷問題專案調查小組」，並由該會鄭副主任委員擔任召集人。公平會表示，尊重智財權為國家既定政策，該會亦相當重視智財權之權利正當行使，但倘逾越此一正當權利行使範圍，將涉有違反公平交易法之虞。 

由於此一問題所涉及之層面至為廣泛，公平會並於日前邀集相關單位舉辦公聽會，釐清智財權及軟體市場壟斷及濫用獨占地位之相關問題，以利該會進一步進行查處。此外，公平會也蒐集美、日、歐盟作法，並派員赴軟體協會及資策會聽取專業意見，同時主動瞭解網咖業者與微軟公司間有關軟體授權的爭議。 

另據中央社五月二十一日報導，公平會二十日約談台灣微軟公司，聽取微軟對於價格策略，與代理商的關係及代理商在市場訂價等情形的說明。公平會表示，台灣微軟公司是否有濫用市場獨佔地位採不當訂價，有無包裹銷售，要求消費者購買非意願購買的產品，以及是否因消費者不升級就不提供售後服務等行為，係該會調查的重點，未來並將依獨立超然地位持續蒐證。 

公平會並指出，目前全球只有美國及歐盟針對微軟公司涉嫌壟斷案展開調查，美國司法部對微軟的訴訟至今已滿四週年，但仍沒有結果，台灣的調查行動全球都在注目，公平會必須以更審慎的態度進行多方的蒐證工作，不可能在短時間內就完成。

Fair Trade Commission Forms "Software Market Monopoly Investigation Taskforce"

The general public has recently expressed serious concerns about the misuse of monopoly status by software vendors.  In this regard, the Fair Trade Commission of the Executive Yuan has established a "Software Market Monopoly Investigation Taskforce", and the Commission's Deputy Commissioner CHENG will serve as its convener.  The FTC has indicated that respect for intellectual property rights is a national policy, and the Commission also values proper exercise of intellectual property rights.  However, acts that exceed that proper exercise may constitute violations of the Fair Trade Law. 

As this is a multi-faceted issue, the FTC has recently invited relevant departments to hold a public hearing, so as to clarify issues related to IPR, software market monopoly, and misuse of monopoly.  The FTC has also reviewed U.S., Japan and E.U. practices in this regard, as well as assigned personnel to visit software associations and the III for professional opinions.  It has also actively sought clarification concerning the dispute between Internet cafe operators and Microsoft regarding software licensing. 

According to the May 21 report by CNA, the FTC had summoned Microsoft Taiwan on May 20 to hear Microsoft's explanations concerning its pricing strategies, relationships with distributors, and pricing by its distributors.  The FTC has indicated that it will investigate whether Microsoft Taiwan has imposed unreasonable pricing policies by improper use of its monopoly position in the market, whether it has been using packaged sales to require consumers to purchase products they did not wish to purchase, and whether it has refused to provide after-sale services to customers who refuse to upgrade.  In the future the FTC will continue to conduct independent and impartial investigations in relation to these issues. 

The FTC has also pointed out that presently only the U.S. and E.U. have commenced investigations concerning Microsoft's abuse of monopoly position.  The U.S. investigations have been ongoing for 4 years, but still without final conclusions.  The entire international community will now be watching Taiwan's investigations, and therefore the FTC must be even more cautious and detailed in its gathering of evidence.  Therefore it would be impossible to conclude the investigations within a short time.

6.  我向美申請專利獲准件數連續三年排名第三

茲據美國專利商標局於日前公布之2001年核准專利件數統計資料披露，外國人向美國申請專利之獲准件數中，我國為6544件，僅次於日本的34891件及德國的11894件。而1999年與2000年向美國申請專利獲准件數之外國排名前三名亦為日本、德國及我國，1999年我國為3693件，僅次於日本的32513件及德國的9896件；另2000年我國為4667件，僅次於日本的32922件及德國的10822件。前揭我國於美國獲准專利之產業，則以半導體製程相關產業、電子業、運動器材、手工具及資訊業為主 

而國人2001年獲准美國專利案件中，發明專利共計5371件，遠超過新式樣專利之1168件。其中屬於個人擁有之發明專利共計1879件，佔百分之三十五，顯示我國於美國獲准之專利主要為發明專利，且以廠商為多。 

另外，在獲准取得美國專利之我國廠商中，排名前十名者分別為：聯電（576件）、台積電（527件）、鴻海（309件）、工研院（219件）、華邦（113件）、世界先進（102件）、國科會（78件）、茂矽（57件）、旺宏（37件）及世大積體電路（37件）。 

另據經濟部智慧財產局統計資料顯示，2001年我國公告核准之專利申請案件中，核准外國人專利申請之件數達19289件，排名前五名廠商及件數分別為萬國商業機器公司472件、松下電器產業公司458件、日本電氣公司437件、日立製作所公司378件及三星電子公司345件；至於核准國內廠商專利申請件數之排名前五名分別為台積電、鴻海、聯電、工研院及旺宏等公司。

Taiwan Comes Third in Approved Applications for U.S. Patents

Based on statistics released by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in respect of approved patent applications during the year 2001, Taiwan is third in receiving the greatest number of approvals for U.S. patents with 6544 applications, ranking behind Japan's 34891 applications and Germany's 11894 applications.  For years 1999 and 2000 the top 3 countries were also Japan, Germany and Taiwan.  In 1999 Taiwan had received approvals for 3693 applications, behind Japan's 32513 applications and Germany's 9896 applications; in 2000 Taiwan had received approvals for 4667 applications, behind Japan's 32922 applications and Germany's 10822 applications.  U.S. patents received by Taiwan are primarily related to the semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, sports equipment, manual tools and information industries. 

Amongst the U.S. patents received by Taiwan during the year 2001, 5371 were invention patents, far exceeding the number of new design patents (1168).  Out of these, 1879 invention patents are held by individuals (35%), showing that patents obtained by Taiwan in U.S. are primarily invention patents, which are mostly held by businesses. 

In addition, the top 10 Taiwanese companies for obtaining U.S. patents are respectively: UMC (576 patents), TSMC (527), Honhai (309), ITRI (219), Winbond (113), VIS (102), NSC (78), Mosel (57), Macronix (37) and Shihta Circuits (37). 

According to statistics released by the IPO, amongst the patent applications approved and gazetted by Taiwan during the year 2001, 19289 were owned by foreign applicants.  The top 5 businesses were: IBM (472 patents), Panasonic (458), NEC (437), Hitachi (378) and Samsung (345).  The top 5 domestic companies with the greatest number of approved applications were: TSMC, Honhai, UMC, ITRI and Macronix.

7.  本年第一季專利商標申請及核准件數情形

依據經濟部智慧財產局九十一年第一季統計資料披露，本季專利新申請案計12,003件，較去年同期減少21.34﹪，發明、新型、新式樣案件均呈負成長，衰退幅度分別為17.68%、22.13%、32.73％；其中外國人專利新申請案件與上年同期相比，減少18.93%，而本國人則降低23.28%；該局表示，此應係該局自九十一年一月一日起調升專利規費收費標準，部分申請案業提前於九十年底前送件，以致本季申請案呈下降趨勢。至於專利公告核准案共10,299件，較去年同期略微下降11.29﹪，其中以發明案件下降幅度最小為2.43%，新型及新式樣案件則衰退約二成左右。 

而本季商標新申請案件共13,593件，較去年同期略增加3.34﹪，商標公告核准案件計14,808件，較去年同期小幅成長5.31﹪，商標之核駁案、延展案及發証案件呈衰退趨勢，其他處理案件數量均呈上揚。

Patent & Trademark Applications for 1st Quarter of 2002

Based on statistics released by the IPO in respect of 1st quarter of 2002, a total of 12,003 new patent applications were filed this quarter, representing a decrease of 21.34% compared to the same period last year.  The numbers of invention, new utility model and new design applications have all decreased, respectively by 17.68%, 22.13% and 32.73%.  Applications by foreign applicants fell by 18.93% compared to the same period last year, while applications by Taiwanese applicants fell by 23.28%.  The IPO indicated that this may be because the patent fees were increased as of January 1, 2002, resulting in a number of applications being filed before the end of 2001, so that the numbers this quarter show a falling trend.  The number of gazetted patents was 10,299, representing a slight decrease of 11.29% from last year. The number of invention patents fell the least, being 2.43%, while new utility model and new design patents both fell by approximately 20%. 

The number of new trademark applications this quarter was 13,593, representing a slight increase of 3.34% compared to the same period last year.  The number of gazetted trademarks was 14,808, representing a slight increase of 5.31% compared to the same period last year.  The number of dismissals, extensions and certificate issues for trademarks have all fallen, while other types of cases show increases.