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1.積體電路電路布局保護法第14、27及41條修正案
「積體電路電路布局保護法」第14、27及41條修正案，業經總統於本(91)年6月12日公布修正。茲將其修正要點及理由敘述如次：
一、明定不合法定程式者得限期補正。緣現行本法施行細則第十一條之電路布局申請人，未依規定程式檢附申請文件時，電路布局專責機關應通知申請人於所指定期間內補正相關文件，未補正文件者應不受理之規定，因涉及人民權利義務，依行政程序法之規定，其訂定應有法律之依據，故移列本法規定。（修正條文第十四條）
二、明定申請撤銷電路布局登記應限期給予答辯。緣現行本法施行細則第十八條第四項及第五項有關申請撤銷電路布局登記時，課以電路布局專責機關通知之義務、限期令電路布局權人答辯及書面申請答辯期間之展延等規定，因事涉人民權利義務及其他應以法律規定之重要事項，依行政程序法之規定，其訂定應有法律之依據，故移列本法規定。（修正條文第二十七條）
三、增訂本法修正條文之施行日期。緣現行條文規定「本法自公布日後六個月施行。」，本次配合行政程序法修正之條文，應自公布日施行，爰於第四十一條增訂第二項「本法修正條文自公布日施行。」。（修正條文第四十一條）
Amendments to Articles 14, 27 & 41 of Integrated Circuits Layout Protection Law
Amendments to Articles 14, 27 and 41 of the Integrated Circuits Layout Protection Law ("ICLPL") were promulgated by order of the President on June 12, 2002. Main points in the aforementioned amendments and reasons for amendment are set out as follows:
1.Stipulate that those who have not yet complied with statutory procedures may do so within a prescribed period. The current Article 11 of the relevant Enforcement Regulations provide that where a circuit layout applicant fails to submit application documents in accordance with the set procedures, the competent authorities shall notify the applicant to submit the relevant documentation within a prescribed period; failure to do so means the application will not be accepted. As this provision affects rights and interests of the public, the Law of Administrative Procedures requires that there be a proper legal basis for such a provision. Accordingly the provision was moved to the main ICLPL (amended Article 14).
2.Stipulate that where there is an application to revoke circuit layout registration, the registrant shall be given an opportunity to reply within a prescribed period. Article 18, Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the relevant Enforcement Regulations provide that where an application for revocation of circuit layout registration is filed, the competent authorities is required to notify the relevant parties, allow the registrant an opportunity to reply within a prescribed period, and extensions to such period by written request. As these provisions affect rights and interests of the public and involve important matters that should be expressly stipulated by law, the Law of Administrative Procedures requires that there be a proper legal basis for such a provision. Accordingly the provision was moved to the main ICLPL (amended Article 27).
3.Insert date for commencement of the amendments. The present provisions state that "this Law shall enter into force six (6) months after promulgation". However, in light of the amended Law of Administrative Procedures, the amendments should enter into force on the promulgation date. Accordingly, Paragraph 2 to Article 41 is inserted to state: "the amendments to this Law shall enter into force on date of promulgation" (amended Article 41).
2.著作權法部分條文修正草案(智慧局版本)
緣著作權法自十七年五月十四日制定公布，先後歷經三十三年、三十八年、五十三年、七十四年、七十九年、八十一年、八十二年、八十七年及九十年間十次修正。近年來數位化網際網路科技固然為全球資訊傳播與電子商務活動帶來無限可能，惟如何於保障著作人權利之外，兼顧公眾資訊取得之自由與資訊科技之繼續發展，為當前國際著作權法制之重要課題。世界智慧財產權組織(WIPO)於八十五年十二月底通過「世界智慧財產權組織著作權條約」(WCT)及「世界智慧財產權組織表演及錄音物條約」(WPPT)等二項國際條約，即在因應數位化網際網路科技對傳統著作權法制所產生之各項衝擊，現行著作權法對於數位化網際網路科技發展後所產生之各項議題，尚未及作適當之調整。
經濟部智慧財產局為促進資訊傳播與電子商務之蓬勃發展，提升著作人於數位化網際網路科技環境中之保護，符合國際著作權法制之發展趨勢，並配合實務作業，爰擬具「著作權法」部分條文修正草案，並於日前報請經濟部審議。是項修正草案，計修正二十八條，增訂八條，刪除一條，共三十七條。其修正要點及理由如下：
一、增訂公開傳播權並修正公開播送及公開演出之定義：
參酌WCT第八條規定，著作人應享有公開傳播權，其內容並及於互動式傳播及對公眾提供著作之權利，及WPPT第十條及第十四條規定，表演人及錄音物製作人應享有對公眾提供其表演及錄音物之權利。又現行著作權法第三條第一項第九款關於「公開演出」之定義與伯恩公約第十一條之一「公開播送」之定義尚有差距，爰增訂公開傳播權並修正公開播送及公開演出之定義，又為維持法律秩序之穩定性，並增訂公開播送及公開演出定義等修正之不溯及既往規定。
二、增訂科技保護措施及電子化著作權權利管理資訊保護規定：
數位化網際網路科技之環境下，著作權人為保護其權利，常以科技措施保護其著作，避免被非法利用，任何提供各種方式以規避該等科技保護措施者，雖未直接為侵害著作權之行為，惟對於著作權之侵害有促進、輔助之效果，應予遏止。參酌「世界智慧財產權組織著作權條約」第十一條及「世界智慧財產權組織表演及錄音物條約」第十八條規定要求，對此情形應作適當之規定，以保障著作權，並提供有效之法律救濟。
又於數位化環境下，著作權人就其著作常附記有電子化著作權權利管理資訊，如加以刪除或竄改，或明知其已被刪除或竄改，仍加以散布等，對權利人將造成嚴重損害，「世界智慧財產權組織著作權條約」第十二條及「世界智慧財產權組織表演及錄音物條約」第十九條乃要求應予適當及有效之保護及救濟，爰增訂相關規定，以保護著作權人之權益。
三、修正合理使用規定：
為使一般大眾對於合理使用之範疇明確認知，以免動輒構成侵害著作財產權，爰修正當事人及利害關係人得協商約定著作之合理使用參考基準，協商不成者，得申請諮詢著作權專責機關意見。
四、增訂製版權之讓與或信託登記規定：
按信託法第四條第一項規定：「以應登記或註冊之財產權為信託者，非經信託登記，不得對抗第三人。」現行著作權法第七十九條對於製版權之取得固採登記主義，惟關於製版權之讓與或信託，則無登記之規定，爰配合增訂製版權之讓與或信託登記規定。又為貫徹該項公示制度之執行，確保其法律效果，該項製版權讓與及信託登記規定有溯及適用之必要，並增訂回溯及適用規定。
五、強化著作權或製版權爭議調解之效力：
鑒於著作權爭議案件具高度專業性，主管機關之著作權審議及調解委員會委員均為專業人員所組成，素質不下仲裁或鄉鎮市調解委員會之調解，其調解並可大幅縮短雙方民刑事爭訟時間，並紓減司法機關訟源；惟現行條文之調解僅具民法上和解之效果，無法獲得重視，徒增各方訟累，爰增訂強化著作權或製版權爭議調解之功能，調解經法院核定後，當事人就該事件不得再行起訴、告訴或自訴，並使調解與法院之民事確定判決有同一之效力。
六、修正侵害著作權及製版權之民、刑責規定：
WTO TRIPS第四十一條至第四十三條規定，會員應提供有效防止及遏止侵害智慧財產權之行為及更進一步之侵害，為使著作權人對侵害之民事損害得獲足夠賠償，在民事訴訟上爰提高法院依侵害情節酌定賠償額之上限，一般侵害為新台幣（以下同）一百萬元，其屬故意且情節重大者，得增至五百萬元。
又關於著作權之侵害，依WTO TRIPS第六十一條前段規定：「會員至少應對具有商業規模而故意仿冒商標或侵害著作權之案件，訂定刑事程序及罰則。救濟措施應包括足可產生嚇阻作用之徒刑及（或）罰金，並應和同等程度之其他刑事案件之量刑一致。」其對於具有商業規模之故意侵害著作權案件，須訂定刑事程序及罰則，其不具商業規模之侵害，以民事訴訟程序救濟應已足夠，並不以刑罰處罰為必要，至於無營利意圖但具有商業規模者，對於著作財產權人仍造成重大損害，亦宜以刑罰遏止之。
爰修正相關侵害之刑責規定，就意圖營利而侵害他人之著作財產權者，以及非意圖營利而侵害他人之著作財產權，其具有商業規模者，分別予以處罰。其意圖營利者並於修正條文第一百條列為非告訴乃論，此外並增訂拘役之自由刑及提高罰金刑，藉短期自由刑及加重侵害者經濟上之處罰，以有效遏止侵權之泛濫。
至於侵害著作人格權、未刪除備用存檔電腦程式著作重製物、合理使用他人著作未註明出處及所有侵害製版權之行為等，則不受本法第七章之規範。(修正條文第八十八條第三項、第九十一條至第九十三條、第九十五條、第一百條、刪除現行條文第九十六條)
Draft Partial Amendments to Copyright Law (IPO Version)
Since its first promulgation and taking effect on May 14, 1928, the Copyright Law has undergone a great number of amendments in 1944, 1949, 1964, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1998 and 2001 respectively. In recent years, information digitalization and the Internet have created innumerable possibilities for global communication and electronic commerce; but at the same time, they also represent unprecedented challenges for copyright protection. The question of whether traditional copyright regimes can adapt to such speedy and widespread information transfer mechanisms has become a great global concern. Therefore, a significant issue for international copyright laws is how to protect the rights and interests of copyright owners, while ensuring that the public can have free access to information, so as to allow continual advancements in technology. In December 1996 the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) adopted two international treaties, being the "WIPO Copyright Treaty" (WCT) and the "WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty" (WPPT), in response to the impact of digital information technology on traditional copyright laws. The ROC Copyright Law currently in force on the other hand has not yet fully adapted to issues created by digital information technology.
In order to ensure free information flow, continued development of E-Commerce, as well as protection of copyright owners in this new environment, the IPO recognizes a need to revise the Copyright Law currently in force. Taking into account developments in international copyright laws as well as practical experience, the IPO has drafted "Partial Amendments to the Copyright Law" and has submitted the same to the MOEA for consideration. These amendments consist of revisions to 28 articles, insertion of 8 new articles, and deletion of 1 article. Below is a summary of these amendments:
1.Insert provisions concerning "right of communication to public", and revise definitions of "public broadcast" and "public performance":
Article 8 of the WCT provides that copyright owners enjoy a "right of communication to the public", which includes interactive communications as well as on-demand communications. Articles 10 and 14 of WPPT provide that performers and phonogram producers enjoy the right to make their performances and/or phonograms available to the public. In the Copyright Law currently in force, the definition of "public performance" in Sub-paragraph 9, Paragraph 1 of Article 3 is inconsistent with the definition of "public broadcast" in Article 11-1 of the Berne Convention; accordingly, provisions concerning "right of communication to the public" are inserted, and definitions of "public broadcast" and "public performance" are revised. In order to maintain certainty in the law, these definition revisions will not have retroactive effect.
2.Insert provisions concerning technical protective mechanisms & electronic rights management information
Given an environment of digital and Internet technologies, copyright owners often adopt technical protective mechanisms in order to protect their works from unauthorized usage. Although acts in attempt to circumvent or decode such mechanisms are not direct infringements of copyright, they are nonetheless abetting infringements of copyright and should be prohibited. Article 11 of the WCT and Article 18 of the WPPT both require countries to take appropriate legislative measures in these circumstances, so as to protect owners' copyright and offer effective legal remedies.
In addition, owners frequently have electronic rights management information in respect of their works; if such works are then erased or altered, or distributed knowing they have been erased or altered, it will represent substantial damage to the owners. Therefore, Article 12 of the WCT and Article 19 of the WPPT both require appropriate protection and remedies be enacted in these circumstances. Therefore, these provisions have been inserted to protect the rights of copyright owners.
3.Amend provisions relating to "reasonable use"
In order to ensure that the general public is aware of what constitutes a "reasonable use", so as to avoid litigation, a mechanism for negotiation between copyright owners and users has been established for determining a set of standards for "reasonable use". Where negotiation fails, the parties may apply to the competent copyright authorities for comments.
4.Insert provisions concerning registration of assignment or trust in respect of plate rights:
Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Trust Law stipulates that: "Where a property right that should be registered is the subject matter of a trust, then unless such trust has been registered, it is ineffective as against a third party." While the present Article 79 of the Copyright Law requires plate rights to be registered, there is no requirement for registration of plate right assignments or trusts. Therefore provisions concerning registration of plate right assignments and trusts are inserted. In addition, in order to ensure that this system of "public notice" will be fully effective, it is necessary to make these registration provisions retroactive.
5.Strengthen binding force of copyright or plate right dispute mediations
Copyright dispute matters require high levels of expertise. Members of the Copyright Examination & Mediation Committee are all expert professionals, and their decisions are no less professional than mediations by the arbitration tribunal or county mediation committees. Therefore adoption of their mediation decisions will greatly reduce the time spent on civil and criminal litigation between the parties, and reduce workload of the judiciary. However, so far decisions of the Copyright Examination & Mediation Committee in mediating copyright or plate right disputes only have the force of civil settlements, and are undervalued by the parties, with the result that further litigation may still take place. In order to strengthen the Committee's mediation function, new provisions in the Copyright Law are inserted, stipulating that mediation decisions of the competent copyright mediation authority are to have equal force as affirmed civil judgments by the court, so that once the mediation process has been concluded and approved by the court, the parties may not file a separate civil or criminal suit in respect of the same case.
6.Amend penalty provisions concerning infringement of copyright and/or plate right
Articles 41 to 43 of WTO's TRIPS Agreement require members to effectively prevent and stop acts of infringements on intellectual property rights and any further damage. In order to ensure copyright owners are fully compensated by civil damages, the Copyright Law amendments propose an upper limit for civil damages that may be awarded by the court in civil proceedings. Damages for general infringement can be up to NT$1 million, while in intentional and serious cases damages can be up to NT$5 million.
With regards to infringement of copyright, the first paragraph of Article 61 of TRIPS provides that, "Members shall provide for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied at least in cases of willful trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy on a commercial scale. Remedies available shall include imprisonment and/or monetary fines sufficient to provide a deterrent, consistently with the level of penalties applied for crimes of a corresponding gravity." TRIPS requires the criminal penalties be applied in respect of willful, commercial scale infringements; however, for non-commercial-scale infringements, civil remedies would appear to be sufficient without the need for criminal sanctions. As for cases where commercial gains are not intended but there is commercial scale resulting in serious damage to the copyright owner, criminal sanctions are still appropriate.
Accordingly the related provisions concerning criminal sanctions for infringements are amended, providing for separate penalties for infringements with intention to derive profits, and infringements without intention to derive profits but are on a commercial scale. Article 100 of the amended provisions also provided that cases where there is intention to derive profits are to be non-complaint based. Provisions for detention and increased fines have also been inserted, so as to effectively reduce incidents of infringements by short-term detentions and greater economic penalties.
As for infringements of moral rights, infringement by way of failure to erase reproduced back-up copies of computer programs, reasonable use of another person's works but failing to identify the source, and all infringements plate rights, these acts will not be regulated by Chapter 7 of this Law (amend Article 88 Paragraph 3, Articles 91 to 93, 95 and 100; delete Article 96).
3.智慧局更新生技醫化中草藥專利資料庫
經濟部智慧財產局於5月24日更新「生技、醫化及中草藥專利資料庫」之生技資料1000筆及台灣植物資料1326筆，並歡迎各界上網查詢利用。是項資料庫網址為
http://biotech.moeaipo.gov.tw/bin/count.exe
IPO Updates Biotech, Pharmaceutical & Chinese Medicinal Patent Database
The IPO had on May 24 updated its "Biotechnological, Pharmaceutical and Chinese Medicinal Patent Database" with 1,000 new items of biotechnological information and 1,326 items of information related to Taiwanese flora, which will be available for public searches. The website of the Database is: http://biotech.moeaipo.gov.tw/bin/count.exe.
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