智財權簡訊

1.立法院三讀通過「專利法部分條文修正草案」

立法院於本（90）年10月4日三讀通過「專利法部分條文修正草案」，本草案主要是依據立法院83年審議專利法修正草案時附帶決議，導入「國內優先權」與「早期公開制」兩項重要制度，於85年送請立法院審議，嗣因立法院職權行使法第13條規定，立法院屆期不予繼續審議。爰於88年再重新提報審議，前後歷經五年時間始完成修正。本草案修正要點如次：
禑導入國內優先權制度
國內優先權制度係申請人將其發明提出專利申請後，在相當期間內就所提出之同一發明加以補充改良，再行申請時，可主張優先權，而以先申請案之申請日作為審查專利要件之基準日。此一制度在國際專利法例上亦多有採行，爰導入此一制度，俾使我國專利法更符合國際水準。
禙引進早期公開制度
早期公開制度乃自專利案申請後，規定經過18個月公開其申請內容，對促進產業科技之提升大有助益。爰分別明文規定早期公開之時期及其起算點、不予公開之項目、任何人均得申請實體審查、分割改請案申請實體審查之期間、申請實體審查之程式、優先審查、補償金請求權及消滅時效。另明定本法修正施行1年後提出之申請案，始得適用有關早期公開之規定。
辻刪除追加專利之相關規定
按採行國內優先權制度，其運作態樣已可以包含追加專利之情況，廢除追加專利可以使我國專利申請與審查業務單純化、合理化。另因本次修正，導入早期公開制度，所有申請案將自申請日起算18個月公開，造成超過18個月的創新與改良相對於母案而言，極易尚失新穎性與進步性，追加專利制度並不能提供實質之助益。至於12月以內之創新與改良，則可藉由國內優先權制度的施行獲得保護，故追加專利制度予以廢除。
稆發明專利除罪化
為配合發明專利刑罰除罪化，配套將專利侵害之民事損害賠償，提高懲罰性損害賠償，由原來的二倍調高為三倍。
込修正侵害鑑定報告之規定
將專利權人提起新型及新式樣專利刑事告訴時應檢附之文件，修正為「主張專利權受侵害之比對分析報告」，且不限由本院與司法院協調指定之侵害鑑定專業機構所出具者。
䅧刪除優先權兼採屬人主義之限制，放寬主張優先權之程序
窑異議、舉發不成立處分之拘束力
為避免仿冒者利用同一事實及同一證據，反覆舉發，妨害專利權之行使，規定異議案、舉發案經審查不成立者
，不待確定，任何人即不得以同一事實及同一證據，再為舉發。
䆲刪除申請新式樣專利應指定物品類別之規定，避免迴避同類前案檢索，而由主管機關審定分類

Legislative Yuan Passes "Draft Partial Amendments of Patent Law"

On October 4, 2001 the Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of "Draft Partial Amendments of Patent Law". These amendments are primarily intended to introduce two important systems - "local priority" and "early publication" - based on supplemental resolutions of the Legislative Yuan during its deliberations in 1994. The amendments were submitted for consid-
eration by the Legislative Yuan in 1996 but were then dropped under Article 13 of the Exercise of Powers by Legislative Yuan Law. In 1999 they were resubmitted, and it has taken 5 years for the amendments to be adopted. The main points in the amendments are:
(a)Introduce a local priority system:
Under the local priority system, after filing a patent application, an applicant may make certain additions and improvements to the invention within a prescribed period of time, and claim a right of priority in respect of the re-application. The patent will be examined based on the filing date of the first application. This system has been widely adopted in patent laws internationally, and will make Taiwan's patent system more consistent with international standards.
(b)Introduce an early publication system:
Under the early publication system, an application's contents are disclosed for 18 months after the filing date, which would be helpful in upgrade of industrial technology. The amendments stipulate the time period of early publication, its date of commencement, items exempt from publication, that anyone may apply for a substantive examination, period of substantive application for partition cases, procedures for substantive examinations, priority examinations, claims for damages and limitation periods. The amendments also specify that the early publication provisions only apply to applications filed 1 year after the amendments coming into effect.
(c)Remove provisions concerning patents of additions
As the local priority system will cover situations where applicants wish to apply for patents in respect of additions, removal of specific "patent of additions" provisions will simply and rationalize Taiwan's patent application and examination procedures. In addition, as these amendments will also introduce the early publication system that will publicize all applications for 18 months following filing, this means innovations and improvements made more than 18 months later are less likely to be considered as novel and innovative in relation to the original application. On the other hand, innovations and improvements made within 12 months are protected under the
local priority system. Accordingly, the patent-of-additions system no longer offer prac-
tical benefits and should be abolished.
(d)Decriminalization of invention patent infringement
As invention patent infringements have been decriminalized, civil damages are raised correspondingly. The amount of punitive damages that can now be awarded is raised from 2 times to 3 times the amount of actual damages.
(e)Revision of infringement report provisions
There is a change to documentation that a patent owner must submit upon filing a criminal complaint in new utility model and new design cases. Now an applicant should submit a "comparison and analysis report of alleged patent infringement", which need not be issued by institutions designated by the Legislative and Judicial Yuans.
(f)Remove restrictions to priority rights and nationality principle, and relax procedures for claims of priority
(g)Decisions of Dismissal of Objection or Complaint Binding
In order to prevent infringers from filing replicating complaints based on the same facts and evidence, so as to impede the exercise of a patent right, the amendments provide that once an objection or complaint has been dismissed, no person may file a fresh complaint based on the same facts and evidence, even if the judgment has not yet been affirmed.
(h)Remove requirement that an application for new design patent specify the product classification, in order to avoid replicated search; classification will now be assigned by the competent authorities.

2.智慧局擬具「專利法修正草案」以健全專利之審查機制

立法院於本(90)年10月4日三讀通過導入國內優先權與早期公開制度與配合申請審查實務需求等之「專利法部分條文修正草案」，刪除發明專利罰金刑規定，將發明專利除罪化。而甫於8月26日落幕之我「經濟發展諮詢委員會議」共同意見中涉及專利法修正事宜之「健全智財權之審查機制」一項，行政院並應於立法院本會期10月31日休會前完成報請立法院審議之程序。緣此，經濟部智慧財產局於日前特擬具「專利法修正草案」，並於10月8日假該局舉辦公聽會，俾廣納建言，做為修正之參考。該草案修正重點如下：
禑修正專利新穎性及進步性要件。
禙修正說明書記載、補充修正、更正之規定。
辻明確列舉不予專利之法定事由。
稆刪除再審查程式。
込刪除領證前之異議程式。
䅧新型專利改採形式審查制。
窑增訂新型專利技術報告。
䆲修正發明專利權人專利年費之減免規定。
窼增訂經濟部得將專利審查業務設立或委託民間團體辦理之法源依據。

IPO Prepares "Draft Amendments of Patent Law"

On October 4, 2001 the Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of "Draft Partial Amendments of Patent Law", which introduced the "local priority" and "early publication" systems, as well as other practical provisions geared towards examination procedures. Under those amendments penalties in respect of invention patent infringements are revised, so that the infringements are decriminalized. Taiwan's Economic Development Advisory Conference (EDAC) recently concluded on August 26, 2001, and under one of its recommendations-relating to "Sound Examination Mechanisms for Intellectual Property Rights" - the Administrative Yuan must submit relevant draft amendments of the Patent Law for consideration by the Legislative Yuan before the current session of the Legislative Yuan ends on October 31. Accordingly the IPO has prepared draft amendments of the Patent Law and held a public hearing on October 8 for receiving public suggestions. The main points of the amendments are as follows:
(a)revise criteria for patent novelty and inventive step;
(b)revise provisions concerning claim statements, supplements and amendments;
(c)clearly set out criteria for not awarding a patent;
(d)abolish the re-examination system;
(e)abolish objection procedures prior to award of patent;
(f)adopt an "examination of form" system for new utility models;
(g)add requirement of technical report for new utility model patents;
(h)revise regulations concerning reduction/exemption of annual fees for invention patents; and
(i)add legal bases for MOEA's own or MOEA's out-sourcing of patent examination procedures.

3.關稅總局公告修正受理商標專用權人或其授權代理人提供具體仿冒商標進、出口檢舉案件有關事項

財政部關稅總局於九十年九月十三日以台總局緝字第九○一○五六五六號函公告修正該總局及各關稅局受理商標專用權人或其授權代理人提供具體仿冒商標進、出口檢舉案件有關事項如下：
禑為落實商標專用權之保護，凡商標專用權人或其授權代理人對輸入或輸出有侵害商標專用權之物品，得以書面向該總局或貨物輸入或輸出地關稅局提出檢舉(關稅總局及各關稅局受理商標檢舉案件單位資料如附件)，俾海關配合予以查禁。
禙檢舉時應提供下列資料：
　嫎商標註冊文件，如授權代理人，須加附授權代理文件。
　娋侵害事實及足以辨認侵害物之描述。
　䊼涉嫌仿冒商標之進、出口廠商名稱、貨名及進、出口口岸、日期、…等相關具體資料。
辻海關查獲與檢舉內容相符之貨物，依下列方式辦理：
嫎經以電話或傳真通知檢舉人，檢舉人應於接獲通知後一定時間內（空運出口：四小時；其他：一個工作日）至海關認定，逾時未至海關認定或進、出口人提出授權文件或其他證明顯無仿冒情事者，若無違反其他進、出口通關規定情事，海關即予放行。
娋經檢舉人認定疑似仿冒商標，進、出口人無法提出授權文件或其他能證明無仿冒情事之文件或所提文件顯有疑義者，經海關通知檢舉人，檢舉人應於三個工作日內向法院聲請假扣押，海關配合執行查扣並依商標法移送法辦；逾期未辦理者，海關除依商標法檢樣移送法辦外，並應責令進、出口人退運、退關。移送法辦案件經檢調單位查明後由經濟部國際貿易局依貿易法處分。
稆本總局八十五年十二月九日台總局緝字第八五一一○二○三號公告即日起不再適用。

Directorate General of Customs Revises Regulations for Complaints against Infringing Trademarks

In its letter dated September 13, 2001, Ref. Tai-Chung-Chu-Chi-90105656, the Directorate General of Customs (DGOC) publicly announced revisions to the "Guidelines for DGOC and Customs Bureaus' Handling of Complaints filed by Trademark Owners or Their Authorized Agents against Imported/Exported Infringing Trademarks". The revisions are as follows:
a.In order to properly enforce protection of trademark rights, a trademark owner or its authorized agent may file complaints in writing with the DGOC or the relevant customs bureau against imported or exported items that infringe the trademark (relevant details of the DGOC and customs eaus are set in the schedule below). Customs bureaus will cooperate with trademark owners in prosecuting the counterfeits.
b.A complaint should contain the following information:
(a)Trademark registration documentation, and where the complaint is filed by the authori-
zed agent, the letter of authority must also be attached;
(b)Description of the facts of infringement and how the infringing items may be recognized; and
(c)Relevant substantive details of the alleged infringing trademark, such as manufacturer name, name of goods, export/import port and dates.
c.Upon locating goods consistent with the description in the complaint, the customs bureau will undertake the following measures:
(a)After the complainant has been notified by telephone or fax, the complainant must att-
end the customs bureau within the stipulated time (exportation by air: 4 hours; others: 1 business day) to identify the goods. If the complainant fails to appear within the stipulated time, the importer/exporter produces documentation showing it has been properly licensed, or there is other evidence showing non-infringement, then provi-
ded such goods are not in violation of any other exportation/importation laws and regulations, the customs bureau will release the goods.
(b)Where the complainant identifies the goods as being in infringement of its trademark, where the importer/exporter is unable to produce documentation showing it has been properly licensed, or where the documentation produced is clearly questionable, the complainant must apply to the court for provisional attachment within 3 business days. The customs bureau will cooperate in confiscating the goods and submit the same for prosecution in accordance with the Trademark Law. If the complainant fails to do so within the stipulated time, the customs bureau may submit samples of the goods for prosecution in accordance with the Trademark Law, and should also order that the importer/exporter withdraw the goods. Following investigation by the prosecutors' office, cases submitted for prosecution will be handled by the Board of Foreign Trade (MOEA) in accordance with the International Trade Law.
d.The letter dated December 9, 1996, Ref. Tai-Chung-Chu-Chi-85110203 issued by the DGOC ceases to apply as of September 13, 2001.

附件

4.經濟部籌組「延攬海外高科技與專業人才宣導訪問團」

經濟部為協助國內產業加速升級及轉型，並積極協助國內業者覓得具有關鍵性技術而國內欠缺之產業專家，爰會同國科會籌組「延攬海外高科技與專業人才宣導訪問團」，並將於本(90)年11月9赴美國舊金山、紐約、達拉斯、洛杉磯等科技大城進行人才延攬。
「經濟部協助國內民營企業延攬海外產業專家來台服務作業要點」於90年7月1日修正施行，該作業要點所稱之海外產業專家，已由具有中華民國國籍之本國籍人士擴大範圍至外籍人士與大陸旅居海外人士，且海外產業專家的工作經驗也由原來的博士後三年，碩士後五年，學士後七年放寬為博士後二年，碩士後四年，學士後六年。

MOEA Forms "Delegation for Solicitation of Overseas Hi-Tech Professionals and Expertise"

In order to aid the upgrading and evolution of domestic industries, as well as actively help local busin
esses to locate expertise for key technologies that Taiwan presently lacks, the MOEA has worked jointly with the National Science Council to establish the "Delegation for Solicitation of Overseas Hi-Tech Professionals and Expertise". Starting November 9, 2001 the delegation will visit such technology capitals as San Francisco, New York, Dallas and Los Angeles to conduct introduction seminars.
The Guidelines for MOEA's Assistance to Private Businesses in Soliciting Overseas Industrial Expertise came into effect on July 1, 2001. "Overseas industrial expertise" referred to in the said Guidelines has been expanded from persons with R.O.C. citizenship to include foreign nationals and Chinese nationals domiciled overseas. Work experience requirements for overseas industrial experts have also been relaxed from 3 years following doctorate degree, 5 years following masters degree, and 7 years after bachelor degree to being 2 years following doctorate degree, 4 years following masters degree, and 6 years after bachelor degree.