1. 我國「發明專利早期公開」制度自91/10/26起實施

經濟部智慧財產局表示，去(九十)年十月二十六日修正公布施行之現行專利法，導入「發明專利早期公開」制度，期我國專利制度更加國際化；同時，亦將「請求審查制度」與「暫時性權利保護」等相關配套措施一併納入規範，使早期公開制度能夠更加完善周延。

 

該局指出，早期公開制度的設計，係在發明專利申請後經過一定期間（十八個月）即予以公開，以避免企業活動不安定及重複研究、重複投資的浪費，並使產業界得以儘早知悉已申請專利之技術資訊，進一步從事開發研究，以達到促進產業科技提升的目的。因創作技術層次較低、產品生命週期較短等因素，新型及新式樣專利適用早期公開之實益不大，故我國發明、新型、新式樣三種專利，早期公開制度僅適用於發明專利。早期公開係新引進之制度，申請人需相當時間調適，專利專責機關經濟部智慧財產局亦需配合準備公開公報、修訂作業程序、進行宣導等事宜，專利法規定民國九十一年十月二十六日起提出之申請案始適用早期公開規定。

 

「發明專利早期公開」制度規定於專利法第36條之1至之6共計六條，申請發明專利後，經審查認為無不合規定程式、且無涉及國防機密或其他國家安全之機密、亦無妨害公共秩序或善良風俗、且申請案未於十五個月內撤回者，應於申請日起十八個月將申請案公開於早期公開公報，任何人均得申請閱覽、抄錄、攝影或影印該申請案全部資料。自申請日起三年內，申請專利之人或其他任何人均得向專利專責機關申請實體審查，以確定申請案是否具備專利要件，可予以專利權利；未於期限內申請實體審查者，該申請案視為撤回。

 

早期公開制度係基於公益目的而設，但申請案一經公開，其專利內容即解除秘密而處於一般公眾能得知之狀態，為排除第三人依其內容為商業上之實施，專利法亦規定暫時性權利保護措施之規定。即發明專利申請人對於申請案公開後，曾經以書面通知發明專利申請內容，而於通知後審定公告前就該發明仍繼續為商業上實施之人，得於發明專利申請案審查確定取得專利權後，向該實施之人請求適當之補償金。

“Early Disclosure of Invention Patents” Effective October 26, 2002

According to the Intellectual Property Office (“IPO”) of Ministry of Economic Affairs (“MOEA”), the amended Patent Law (effective October 26, 2001) had introduced the “early disclosure of invention patents” system, in order to further internationalize Taiwan’s patent system.  In addition, the revised Patent Law has included such ancillary provisions as those that relate to the “examination request system” and “temporary right protection”, so that the early disclosure system will be more effective.

 

The IPO has indicated that under the “early disclosure system”, invention patent applications will be publicly disclosed once a prescribed period has passed after filing of the application (18 months).  The purpose of early disclosure is to avoid instabilities in economic activity, as well as waste of resources due to duplicate research and investment.  In addition, businesses will be able to have earlier access to technical information that are already subject to patent applications, so that they may engage in further research and development based on such preexisting technology.  The new system will hence help to realize the government’s goal of promoting industrial technological upgrading.  The “early disclosure system” has limited application to new design and new utility model patents, as these patents are not as technically complex as invention patents, and their product life cycles are also much shorter.  Therefore, for the present the “early disclosure system” will only apply to invention patents.  Since “early disclosure” is a newly-introduced system, patent applicants must be given a reasonable period to adjust to the change, and the IPO, being the competent patent authority, must also be given time to prepare the disclosure gazette, to amend relevant work procedures, and to educate the public about the new system.  Accordingly, the Patent Law has provided that the “early disclosure” provisions of the Law will only apply to applications filed on and after October 26, 2002.

 

The “early disclosure of invention patents” provisions are found in Article 36, Paragraphs 1 to 6 of the Patent Law.  A patent application will be published in the early disclosure gazette 18 months after the date of filing, if examination of the application shows that it is in compliance with the relevant procedures, that it not involve national defense secrets or other secrets affecting national security, that it is not detrimental to public order or good morals, and the application is not withdrawn within 15 months of the filing date.  Anyone may apply to review, copy, photograph or photocopy all information contained in the disclosed application.  For a period of 3 years from the filing date, the patent applicant or any other person may apply to the competent patent authority for substantive examination of the application, in order to confirm that the application satisfied all criteria for a patent, and therefore that a patent should be granted.  If no application for substantive examination is filed, the patent application will be deemed withdrawn.

 

The “early disclosure system” was introduced for public welfare purposes.  However, once an application is publicly disclosed, contents of the application will no longer be secret and will be generally available to the public.  In order to prevent third parties from commercially applying contents of the patent application, the Patent Law also provides for temporary protection of rights in respect of such patent application.  Where a person commercially applies contents of a publicly disclosed patent application, and continues to do so after being notified in writing of contents of the application by the patent applicant but before formal gazette indicating grant of patent, the patent applicant may claim for appropriate compensation from such person, once the patent application has been examined and the patent right has been confirmed

2. 我國91年第2季專利及商標申請及核准情形

據經濟部智慧財產局統計資料披露，該局91年第2季受理之專利新申請案計15,912件，較去年同期減少6.00﹪，發明、新型及新式樣案件均呈負成長，衰退幅度分別為3.61%、6.91%、11.88%；其中外國人專利新申請案件與上年同期相比，減少4.30%，而本國人則降低7.17%。

 

另公告核准之專利案為11,515件，亦較去年同期減少4.48%，其中發明案件較去年同期上升5.71%，新型及新式樣案件則分別減少12.42%及15.53%。

 

本季新申請案與去年同期相較雖呈下降，但與本年第一季新申請案12,003件相比,則增加3,909件，增幅32.57%，另公告核准案也較本年第一季10,299件增加1,216件，增幅11.81%。

 

而91年第2季商標新申請案16,381件，則較去年同期略減0.72%，而公告核准案18,358件，也較去年同期減少5.51%。

Patent & Trademark Applications & Approvals in 2nd Quarter of 2002

According to statistics released by the IPO, the IPO had handled a total of 15,912 new patent applications during the 2nd quarter of 2002, which represented a 6% decrease from the same period last year.  The number of invention, new utility model and new design applications have fallen by 3.61%, 6.91% and11.88% respectively.  Amongst them the number of new patent applications by foreign persons has decreased by 4.30%, while the number for Taiwanese nationals has decreased by 7.17%.

 

The number of gazetted and approved patent cases totaled 11,515, representing a decrease of 4.48% from the same period last year.  Amongst them, the number of invention cases increased by 5.71%, while new utility model and new design cases fell by 12.42% and 15.53% respectively.

 

Although the number of new applications during this quarter is lower than the same period last year, it represents an increase by 3,909 applications compared to the 1st quarter of this year (12,003 applications), which is a 32.57% increase.  The number of gazetted and approved cases is also higher than the number for the 1st quarter (10,299 cases) by 1,216 cases, representing an increase of 11.81%.

 

The number of new trademark applications during 2nd quarter of 2002 was 16,381, representing a slight decrease of 0.72% from the same period last year.  The number of gazetted and approved cases was 18,358, representing a decrease of 5.51% from the same period last year.

3. 90年侵害智財權判決確定案件判處1年以上者有396人

依據法務部統計資料指出，九十年一至十二月我國法院對於侵害著作權、商標專用權或專利權判決確定案件，被告共3238人，其中判處有期徒刑、拘役或罰金之有罪科刑判決共2171人。

 

有罪科刑判決中，判處6月（含）以下者計1385人（含涉美案件74人）、逾6月1年未滿者共135人（含涉美案件22人）、1年（含）以上2年未滿計377人（含涉美案件22人）、2年（含）以上3年未滿者共19人（含涉美案件2人）、拘役者共有189人（含涉美案件20人）。

396 Persons Sentenced to 1+ Years Imprisonment in Affirmed IPR Cases in 2001

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Justice, during the period of January to December 2001 there were 3,238 defendants in affirmed cases of copyright, trademark or patent infringement heard by R.O.C. courts.  Amongst these, 2,171 were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment, detention or fines.

 

Amongst the convictions, 1,385 defendants were sentenced to 6 months or less (including 74 in U.S.-related cases); 135 defendants were sentenced to between 6 and 12 months (including 22 U.S.-related cases); 377 defendants were sentenced to 1 year or more but less than 2 years (including 22 U.S.-related cases); 19 defendants were sentenced to 2 years or more but less than 3 years (including 2 U.S.-related cases); while 189 were sentenced to detention (including 20 U.S.-related cases).

4.  海關九十年查緝侵害智慧財產權成果

茲據財政部關稅總局九十年查緝侵害智財權案件統計資料，將其成果表述如下：

Results of Customs Investigation of IPR Infringement Cases in 2001

Based on statistics released by the Directorate General of Customs (Ministry of Finance) relating to investigation of IPR infringement cases in 2001, the results of the investigation are compiled in the following table:

 

 

壹、執行查禁出口侵害智慧財產權方面：

(1)  電腦程式相關產品部分：

Export Inspections：

(1)  Computer Software Export Management System:

 

項目Item                     期間Period	設有檢驗中心關區取樣情形 Samples taken at customs districts which had established Inspection Centers		未設有檢驗中心關區取樣情形 Samples taken at customs districts which had not established Inspection Centers		送禁仿小組處理案件數 Cases referred to the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee	偽造文書移送法辦案件數 Cases referred to district court prosecutors on suspicion of forgery	違反緝私條例第三十七條議處案件數 Cases handled under Article 37 of the Anti-Smuggling Law	涉嫌侵害著作權移警政署偵辦案件 Cases referred to the National Police Administration on suspicion of copyright infringement	依著作權法第九十條之一申請查扣案件數 Applications with customs authorities to suspend release of goods pursuant to Article 90-1 of the Copyright Law
	檢驗中心取樣件數 Total cases	通知著作權人件數 Copyright owners notified cases	取樣件數 Total cases	通知著作權人件數 Copyright owners notified cases
90年1∼3月 Jan. 2001∼Mar. 2001	24	10	15	0	0	0	0	0	0
90年4∼6月 Apr. 2001∼Jun. 2001	19	10	13	0	0	0	0	0	0
90年7∼9月 Jul. 2001∼Sep. 2001	16	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
90年10∼12月 Oct. 2001∼Dec. 2001	46	22	3	0	0	0	0	0	0
90年1∼12月 Jan. 2001∼Dec. 2001	105	48	33	0	0	0	0	0	0

註：電腦程式相關產品出口檢驗制度自81年11月1日起實施，87年7月15日修改作業規定。

Note: The Computer Software Export Management System was implemented on November 1, 1992 and revised on July 15, 1998.

 

 

(2)光碟部分：                          (2)                          Compact Disc Export Inspection System：

項目Item                       期間Period	查獲非法出口案件處理情形 Methods of disposal of cases of illegal export
	未壓印來源識別碼 案件數 Cases of missing source identification codes	查獲涉嫌仿冒有聲及影音光碟片 Suspected cases of counterfeit audio and audio-visual compact discs		送新聞局鑑定案件 Cases referred to the Government Information Office for verification	送禁仿小組處理案件 Cases referred to the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee	移送法辦案件 Cases referred to district	送調查局追查案件 Cases referred to the Investigation Bureau	移送警政署案件 Cases referred to the National Police Administration	涉嫌侵害著作權移警政署偵辦案件數 Cases referred to the National Police Administration on suspicion of copyright infringement
		案件數 Number of cases	數　量 Number of items
90年1∼3月 Jan. 2001∼Mar. 2001	3	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0
90年4∼6月 Apr. 2001∼Jun. 2001	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	3	0
90年7∼9月 Jul. 2001∼Sep. 2001	7	0	0	0	7	0	0	0	0
90年10∼12月 Oct. 2001∼Dec. 2001	7	0	0	0	7	0	0	0	0
90年1∼12月 Jan. 2001∼Dec. 2001	18	0	0	0	18	0	0	0	0

註：雷射唱片出口加強查驗制度自81年6月起實施，另經濟部國際貿易局87年7月17日公告規定出口光碟應壓印來源識別碼。

Note: The Compact Disc Export Inspection System was implemented in June 1992. The Board of Foreign Trade on 17 July 1998 issued an instruction which requires that exports of audio compact and audio-visual compact disks carry a source identification code (SID Code).

(3)商標部分：                          (3)Trademark Export Inspection System：

項目Item   期間Period	與登錄商標相同， 無仿冒情事案件 No. of cases identical to listed trademarks but were not infringing	與登錄商標相同或極近似， 有仿冒情事案件 No. of cases identical or similar to listed trademarks and were infringing	商標申報不符，移送 禁仿小組案件 No. of cases referred to the ACC where trademarks did not conform to export declarations	合 計 Total
90年1∼3月 Jan. 2001∼Mar. 2001	1	6	96	103
90年4∼6月 Apr. 2001∼Jun. 2001	0	1	99	100
90年7∼9月 Jul. 2001∼Sep. 2001	0	3	74	77
90年10∼12月 Oct. 2001∼Dec. 2001	0	0	67	67
90年1∼12月 Jan. 2001∼Dec. 2001	1	10	336	347

註：商標出口監視系統自83年10月1日起實施，截至89年10月16日止向經濟部國際貿易局登錄之商標計468件。

Note: The Trademark Export Inspection System was implemented on 1 October 1994. Through 16 October 2000, a total of 468 trademarks were listed with the Board of Foreign Trade.

 

 

(4)  晶片標示部分：

晶片標示制度自90年1月1日起實施：

除第一季查獲未符合相關規定案件2件，已函送經濟部智慧財產局辦理外，第二季至第四季則未查獲有違反相關規定之案件。

 

 

貳、執行著作物真品平行輸入方面：

進口美商八大電影公司之電影片、錄影帶、碟影片部分：

(4)  Microchip Labeling Inspection System:

The microchip labeling system came into effect on January 1, 2001:

During the 1st quarter 2 cases of non-compliance with relevant regulations were found and transferred to the IPO.  No violations were found during the 2nd to 4th quarters.

 

 

Inspection System for Parallel Import Audio-Visual Works：

Import of movies, videotapes, and laser discs of major U.S. studios：

項目Item 期間Period	送財團法人電影及錄影著作保護基金會查證 No. of cases referred to the Foundation for the Protection of Film and Video Works
90年1∼3月 Jan. 2001∼Mar. 2001	1件（無疑義） 1 case (none was determined to has been improperly licensed)
90年4∼6月 Apr. 2001∼Jun. 2001	1件（無疑義） 1 case (none was determined to has been improperly licensed)
90年7∼9月 Jul. 2001∼Sep. 2001	1件（有疑義） 1 case (one was suspected infringing copyrights)
90年10∼12月 Oct. 2001∼Dec. 2001	9件（其中3件有疑義） 9 cases (of which three were suspected infringing copyrights, the remaining 6 wewe found not to have been improperly licensed)
90年1∼12月  Jan. 2001∼Dec. 2001	12件（其中4件有疑義） 12 cases (of which four were suspected infringing copyrights, the remaining 8 were found not to have been improperly licensed)

註：自82年11月15日開始實施美國業界聯盟在台代表提供之經授權輸入進口商清單放行制度，89年4月1日起提供清單者為財團法人電影及錄影著作保護基金會。

Note: On November 15, 1993, Customs implemented the Authorized Imports Agents System based upon lists of authorized firms provided by the Taiwan representative of the U.S.-based Audio-Visual Copyrighted Works Association.  As of April 1, 2000 the lists were provided by the Foundation for the Protection of Film and Video Works.