本　期　提　要HEADLINES

http://www.moeaipo. gov.tw/patent/patent_law/patent_law_1.asp
而86年5月7日總統令修正公布之商標法第4、5、23、25、34、37及61條文，行政院已於87年8月12日核定自87年11月1日施行。是項修正案相關全文資料可至經濟部智慧財產局如下網站瀏覽：

http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/trademark/trademark_law/trademark_law_1_3.asp
May 7, 1997 Patent Law Amendments to Commence January 1, 2002
On December 11, 2001, the Legislative Yuan determined that the Patent Law Amendments promulgated on May 7, 1997 will commence on January 1, 2002. A copy of the full Amendments can be found at the IPO website at: 

http://www. moeaipo.gov.tw/patent/patent_law/patent_law_1.asp.
As for amendments to Articles 4, 5, 23, 25, 34, 37 and 61 of the Trademark Law, which were also promulgated on May 7, 1997, the Legislative Yuan had already determined on August 12, 1998 that they would commence on November 1, 1998. A copy of these full Amendments can be found at the IPO website at: http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/trademark/ trademark_law/trademark_law_1_3.asp.
2.自91年1月1日起施行之發明及新式樣專利權期限延長暨其相關年費繳納及通知等規範
經濟部智慧財產局為因應我國於九十一年一月一日加入世界貿易組織（WTO），依據現行專利法第一百三十四條第二項、第三項及八十六年五月七日修正公布，並於九十一年一月一日起施行之專利法第一百零九條第三項規定，凡民國八十三年一月二十三日以前已審定公告之發明及新式樣專利案，於入會（WTO）之日專利權仍存續者，其專利權期限應分別延長至申請日起算二十年及十二年屆滿。
前述發明及新式樣專利案，可於原專利權期限屆滿前依法繼續繳納年費（依九十一年一月一日起施行之專利規費收費準則第八條第一項第四款規定：第十年至第二十年，每年年費新台幣二萬元）以維權益；原專利證書繼續有效。惟專利權人若欲於證書上註明延長期限，可自行檢還原證書申請辦理加註，該局不另收證書費。延長之專利權，於延長期間仍應於屆期前依規定繼續繳納專利年費，未於應繳納專利年費之期間內繳費者，得於期滿六個月內補繳之，但其年費應按規定之年費加倍繳納，未於補繳期限屆滿前繳納者，專利權自原繳費期限屆滿之次日消滅。

智慧局為避免專利權期限於九十一年一月屆滿之案件，未能及時於期限屆滿前續繳年費，致生加倍補繳或專利權消滅之情事，基於服務性質，特發函通知各該案專利權人或其代理人限期（原專利權期限屆滿日起三十日內）續繳年費，除此之外，亦將另以通函告知所有其他非於九十一年一月屆滿而合於延長規定之發明及新式樣專利案之專利權人或代理人辦理延長專利權期限之相關作業事宜。

智慧局近期內並將合於延長規定之發明及新式樣專利案印製成冊（詳列：申請案號、專利權號、申請日期、公告日、專利權終止日、年費有效日期、延長後專利權終止日、專利權人、代理人），專利權人可至該局三樓服務台查閱，亦可上該局網站查詢（網址：

 http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=885&from=board）

對於專利年費繳納如尚有疑義，請電洽該局服務專線（02）27380007轉3019或3020，由專人提供服務。
New Regulations for Invention and New Design Patents from January 1, 2002
Various new regulations are now in place, in response to Taiwan's entry to the WTO on January 1, 2002. Pursuant to Article 134, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the current Patent Law, as well as Article 109, Paragraph 3 of the Patent Law that was promulgated on May 7, 1997 and entered into force on January 1, 2002, any invention patents granted and gazetted before January 23, 1994, and that still subsist as of the date of Taiwan's accession to the WTO, will enjoy an extended patent period that will now expire 20 years from the date of filing. Any new design patents that still subsist as of the date of Taiwan's accession to the WTO will enjoy an extended patent period that will now expire 12 years from the date of filing.

In order to protect the patent owner's rights, annual fees for the aforementioned invention and new design patents can continue to be paid prior to the original expiry date, and the original patent certificates will continue to be valid. (According to Article 8, Paragraph 1, Sub-paragraph 4 of the Patent Fees Regulations, which took effect from January 1, 2002, the annual fee applicable from Year 10 to Year 20 is NT$20,000 per year.) However, if patent owners wish to have the extended period specifically stated on certificates, they can voluntarily return the certificates for revision, without needing to pay any reissuing fees. Annual fees must continue to be paid during the extended period, and those who fail to pay in time can do so up to 6 months after the due date, although the applicable fees will then be doubled. Patent owners who fail to pay the necessary fees before this deadline will lose their patent rights from the date after the original due date.

In case certain patent owners, whose patents had an original expiry day in January 2002, fail to pay their annual fees by the deadline, resulting in the fees being doubled or their rights being extinguished, the IPO has especially notified these owners or their agents to continue paying their annual fees within the prescribed period (being 30 days after the original expiry date). The IPO will also notify other invention and new design patent owners, whose patent periods are being extended, so that they are aware of relevant procedures concerning the extension.

The IPO will shortly compile a booklet of invention and new design patents that fall within the extension provisions, setting out their application number, patent number, filing date, gazette date, expiry date, annual fee valid date, extended expiry date, patent owner and agent. Patent owners will be able to review the booklet at Level 3 of the IPO building, or on the IPO website (at http://www.moeaipo. gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=885&from=board).

If there are any questions concerning payment of annual fees, readers can contact the IPO at (02) 2738-0007 ext. 3019 or 3020 for assistance.
3.新式樣物品分類採「國際工業設計分類」，並自91年1月1日起施行
經濟部智慧財產局於90年12月17日公告新式樣之物品分類採行「國際工業設計分類」，並自91年1月1日起施行。而經濟部於57年3月22日命令發布之「新式樣之物品及類別」，業經該部於90年12月命令發布自91年1月1日廢止在案。該局並將國際工業設計分類之壓縮檔置於如下網址：http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=860&from=board
"International Classification for Industrial Designs" Applies to New Utility Models
On December 17, 2001 the IPO announced that the "International Classification for Industrial Designs" will apply to new utility model products, effective from January 1, 2002. The "New Utility Model Products and Classification" previously in force from March 22, 1968 by order of the Ministry of Economic Affairs is abolished by order of the said Ministry as of January 1, 2002. The now applicable Classification can be found in compressed file form on the IPO's website at: http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/Show NewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=860&from=board.
4.智慧局公佈新國際專利分類中文版資料
經濟部智慧財產局於日前將國際專利分類表（IPC）第七版之中文版資料公佈於該網站（http://www.moeaipo. gov.tw/ipo.asp?sub=2），該局表示，是項內容包括國際專利分類表A部至H部、使用指南及修訂對照表（第六版╱第七版），讀者可自行自該局網頁之「專利業務」單元中蒐尋及下載。惟囿於該局專利行政系統及專利業務作業流程等，需大幅修正以玆配合，國際專利分類表（第七版）自90年10月1日起實施。
IPO Announces Chinese Version of New International Patent Classification
The IPO has recently posted the Chinese version of the 7th edition of the International Patent Classification (IPC) on its website at http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/ipo.asp?sub=2. Its contents will include Sections A to H, the introductory manual, and a reference table of revisions (from 6th to 7th edition). Readers can go directly to the Patents section of the website described above and download this information. However, as the patent administration system and procedures of the IPO needed to undergo substantial reform to comply with the new IPC, the 7th edition of the IPC took effect only from October 1, 2001.
5.智慧局修正「商標識別性審查要點」
經濟部智慧財產局為適用商標法第五條規定，於86年11月22日公告「商標識別性審查基準」，惟為因應審查實務等需求，該局於90年12月25日修正發布「商標識別性審查要點」(將前揭『基準』改為『要點』)，該要點除補充及修正商標不具識別性之類別及其例示外；並新增商標具識別性之類別及其例示，包括（一）獨創性商標：商標圖樣係運用智慧獨創所得，而非沿用既有之辭彙或事物者。（二）隨意性商標：商標圖樣由現有之辭彙或事物所構成，惟與指定商品全然無關者。（三）暗示性商標：商標圖樣以隱含譬喻方式暗示商品之形狀、品質、功用或其他有關成份、性質、特性、功能或目的等，但非為業者所必須或通常用以說明商品者。
前揭要點及其修正理由說明等詳細資料，可至智慧局如下網址瀏覽http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNews Content.asp?otype=1&postnum=678&from=board IPO Revises "Examination Guidelines for 
Distinctiveness of Trademarks"
In line with Article 5 of the Trademark Law, the IPO promulgated the "Examination Standards for Distinctiveness of Trademarks" on November 22, 1997. Due to practical demands of the examination process, the IPO subsequently revised these Standards and announced the new "Examination Guidelines for Distinctiveness of Trademarks" (changing "Standards" to "Guidelines") on December 25, 2001. These Guidelines will insert types and examples of trademarks lacking in distinctiveness, as well as insert types and examples of distinctive trademarks. Examples will include: (1) inventive trademarks: where the trademark is intellectually inventive and does not make use of existing vocabulary or objects; (2) casual trademarks: the trademark is composed of existing vocabulary or objects, but has no connection with the relevant product; (3) suggestive trademarks: the trademark implicitly suggests the shape, quality, function, composition, nature, characteristics, or purpose of the product, but is not necessarily or customarily used to describe the product.

Details of the aforementioned Guidelines and reasons for the revisions can be found at the IPO website at: http://www. moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=678&from=board.
6.智慧局預告刪除「海關查扣著作權或製版權侵害物實施辦法」第四條規定
經濟部智慧財產局依據行政程序法第一百五十四條第一項及著作權法第九十條之一第三項、第九十條之二等規定，於日前預告刪除「海關查扣著作權或製版權侵害物實施辦法」第四條規定。

按九十年十一月十二日修正公布施行之著作權法，為配合行政程序法之施行，已將前揭辦法第四條有關海關實施查扣應以書面通知申請人及被查扣人之規定，修正移列於著作權法第九十條之一第三項，該辦法第四條規定自應配合刪除之。
IPO to Abolish Article 4 of "Implementation Regulations for Suspension of Release of Goods Infringing on Copyright or Plate Rights by Customs Authorities" Pursuant to Article 154, Paragraph 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and Articles 90-1 Paragraph 3, Article 90-2 of the Copyright Law, the IPO recently announced its intention to abolish the provisions in Article 4 of the "Implementation Regulations for Suspension of Release of Goods Infringing on Copyright or Plate Rights by Customs Authorities".

Article 4 of the Regulations provided that customs authorities must notify the applicant and the party whose goods are subject to suspension in writing of the suspension. However, as this provision has already been inserted in Article 90-1 Paragraph 3 of the newly revised Copyright Law gazetted on November 12, 2001, in line with the Code of Civil Procedure, this provision should accordingly be deleted from the said Regulations.
7.智慧局公告修正核驗著作權文件作業項目
經濟部智慧財產局於日前公告修正「輸出視聽著作及代工鐳射唱片申請核驗著作權文件作業要點」，有關原屬輸出規定五七一代號之錄影帶類貨品，自九十一年一月一日起，不再列入該局輸出視聽著作及代工鐳射唱片申請核驗著作權文件作業項目。
IPO Announces Items in Examination of Copyright Documents
The IPO recently announced the revised "Guidelines for Examination of Copyright Documents for Exported Audiovisual Works and OEM Laser Disks". Video products originally with the exportation code of 571 will no longer be part of the IPO's examination as of January 1, 2002.
8.經濟部公告光碟管理條例相關三項管理辦法
經濟部智慧財產局於90年11月30日召開「光碟管理條例相關法規命令草案及執行事宜」公聽會，並依據行政程序法第一百五十四條第一項及光碟管理條例第四條、十條至十二條等規定，於90年11月23日預告「光碟製造許可及申報辦法」、「來源識別碼管理辦法」及「光碟製造機具輸出入管理辦法」等草案。

嗣後，經濟部分別於90年12月26日與31日發布前揭三項辦法，並自發布日施行。前揭辦法全文資料，可至經濟部智慧財產局如下網址瀏覽http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw /news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=908&from=board
http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=909&from=board
http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=910&from=board
而本刊曾於9卷22期報導前揭三項草案之立法說明及其要點。
Enforcement Rules to Optical Media Management Law
On November 30, 2001 the IPO held a public hearing on "Draft Regulations & Enforcement of Optical Media Management Law". Pursuant to Article 154, Paragraph 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and based on Article 4, and Articles 10 to 12 of the Optical Media Management Law, the IPO announced the draft "Optical Media Manufacturing Permit & Declaration Rules", the "Source Identification Code Management Rules", and the "Optical Media Manufacturing Equipment Import & Export Management Rules" on November 23, 2001. 

Subsequently the MOEA promulgated the aforementioned 3 Rules on December 26 and 31, 2001 respectively, which would take effect as from those dates. A full copy of these Rules can be found at the following websites:
http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=908&from=board
http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=909&from=board
http://www.moeaipo.gov.tw/news/ShowNewsContent.asp?otype=1&postnum=910&from=board

Explanations and details of these Rules can also be found in Volume 9, Issue 22 of IPR News.
9.總統90年11月14日公告電子簽章法
經濟部為建立安全及可信賴之電子交易環境，裨益電子商務之發展，爰參酌各國立法體例及聯合國及歐盟等國際組織訂定之電子簽章立法原則，擬具「電子簽章法」，以律定電子簽章及電子文件之法律地位，及建立電子憑證機構之管理制度。該法業於九十年十一月十四日經 總統公告，其施行日則由行政院定之，其重要立法原則包括技術中立、契約自由及市場導向等原則。該法計有十七條，其要點如次：
一、明定法律行為及依法律之規定應以書面為之者，其得以電子文件為之之要件及依特定條件製作之電子文件之效力。
二、依法律之規定須提出原本或正本者，得以依特定條件製作之電子文件代之。
三、文書依法令之規定須以書面保存者，得以特定條件製作之電子文件為之。
四、電子通信及交易收發文時間與地之準據。
五、依法令規定須簽名及蓋章者，得以依特定條件製作之電子簽章代之。
六、數位簽章之作成應符合之要件。
七、憑證機構應對外公布憑證實務作業基準。
八、相關罰則規定。
九、憑證機構終止服務時之處理。
十、憑證機構所應負之損害賠償責任。
十一、外國憑證機構所簽發憑證之效力。
相關本法總說明、立法原則、全文及說明等詳細資料可至經濟部商業司下列網站瀏覽http://www.moea.gov.tw /~meco/doc/ndoc/s5_p05.htm
Electronic Signatures Law Promulgated on November 14, 2001
The Ministry of Economic Affairs had drafted the Electronic Signatures Law, with a view to building a secure and reliable electronic transactions environment and promoting E-Commerce, after reviewing international legal examples and principles of such international organizations as the UN and European Union. The Law will legally regulate electronic signatures and electronic documents, as well as establish a management system for electronic accreditation entities. The Law has been promulgated by order of the President on November 14, 2001, with the enforcement date to be determined by the Executive Yuan. The main legal principles for the Law include technology neutrality, freedom of contract, and market orientation principles. There are 17 articles to the Law, covering the following main issues:
1.Stipulate the where a legal act or legal rule should be done in writing, it may be done in an electronic document form if complying with certain elements; and the validity of electronic documents made in accordance with these elements;
2.Where the law requires an original document to be provided, an electronic document made in accordance with certain criteria may be provided as an alternative.
3.Where the law requires written form of documents to be maintained, it may be maintained in the form of electronic documents complying with certain criteria.
4.Bases for determining issuing date and location of electronic correspondence and transaction records.
5.Where the law requires signature and chop, electronic signatures made in accordance with certain criteria may be used as an alternative.
6.Criteria for making digital signatures.
7.Certification authorities must publicly disclose their bases for certification practice.
8.Relevant penalty provisions.
9.Dealing with certification authorities who cease providing services.
10.Certification authorities' liabilities for damages.
11.Validity of certification issued by foreign certification authorities.

Full explanations, legislative principles and full document of this Law can be found at the MOEA website at:
http://www.moea.gov.tw/~meco/doc/ndoc/s5_p05.htm.