Update: Pentru că nimeni nu a făcut traducerea în limba română acestui document extrem de important, Reporter Virtual vă prezintă varianta în engleză a tratatului ACTA și traducerea acestuia.

România a semnat ieri controversatul tratat ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement), inițiat de Japonia, care propune o serie de standarde internaţionale pentru aplicarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală. Actul prevede, printre altele, contrafacerea bunurilor fizice şi distribuirea lor prin internet, presiuni inclusiv financiare asupra furnizorilor de internet. În Franţa, de exemplu, utilizatorii care sunt prinşi că descarcă de mai mult de trei ori fişiere piratate nu mai au acces la internet pentru o anumită perioadă de timp şi, în plus, sunt pasibili de sancţiuni. ”Interesele deţinătorilor de drepturi de proprietate intelectuală sunt puse mai presus de libertatea de exprimare, viaţa privată şi alte drepturi fundamentale. ACTA va lăsa reglementarea libertăţii de exprimare în mâinile companiilor private, întrucât impune obligaţii referitoare la monitorizarea conţinutului on-line de către terţe părţi, cum ar fi intermediarii internet, care nu sunt însă în măsură să reglementeze formele de exprimare în mediul online”, scrie totb.ro. ”Dacă va fi ratificat, Acordul va avea implicaţii majore pentru libertatea de exprimare, accesul la cultură şi viaţa privată, va afecta comerţul internaţional şi va reprezenta un obstacol în calea inovării”, precizează totb.ro. La finalul textului, aveți tratatul ACTA, traducerea în română a principalelor puncte și varianta în engleză.

În cadrul Parlamentului European, din cei 736 de membri au votat 654.  Voturile pentru au fost 306, voturile împotriva 322. Din cei 32 de reprezentanţi ai României, 15 au votat pentru, 14 împotrivă, doi s-au abţinut, iar doi au fost absenţi. Cei doi parlamentari absenţi au fost George Becali şi Victor Boştinaru, iar două europarlamentare s-au abţinut: Corina Creţu şi Norica Nicolai.

Cei care au votat pro tratat sunt:

Cristian Silviu Buşoi (Grupul Aliantei Liberalilor si Democratilor pentru Europa – ALDE)
George Sabin Cutaş (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Ioan Enciu (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Cătălin Sorin Ivan (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Ramona Nicole Mănescu (Grupul Aliantei Liberalilor si Democratilor pentru Europa – ALDE)
Ioan Mircea Paşcu (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Rovana Plumb (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Daciana Sârbu (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Adrian Severin (independent)
Claudiu Tănăsescu (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Silvia-Adriana Ţicău (Grupul Partidului Socialistilor Europeni – PES)
Corneliu Vadim Tudor (independent)
Adina-Ioana Vălean(Grupul Aliantei Liberalilor si Democratilor pentru Europa – ALDE)
Renate Weber (Grupul Aliantei Liberalilor si Democratilor pentru Europa – ALDE)

Cei 14 care au votat împotriva rezoluţiei au fost:

Elena Oana Antonescu (Partidul Popular European)
Elena Băsescu (Partidul Popular European)
Sebastian Bodu (Partidul Popular European)
Petru Luhan (Partidul Popular European)
Monica Macovei (Partidul Popular European)
Marian-Jean Marinescu (Partidul Popular European)
Iosif Matula (Partidului Popular European)
Rareş Niculescu (Partidul Popular European)
Cristian Preda (Partidul Popular European)
Csaba Sogor (Partidul Popular European)
Theodor Stolojan (Partidul Popular European)
Laszlo Tokes (Partidul Popular European)
Traian Ungureanu (Partidul Popular European)
Iuliu Winkler (Partidul Popular European)

Foto: ellun.es

Tracudecrea în română a tratatului ACTA:

Părţile la prezentul acord,

Constatând faptul că aplicarea efectivă a drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală este esenţială pentru menţinerea creşterii economice în toate industriile şi la nivel mondial;

Constatând, de asemenea, că proliferarea de bunuri contrafăcute şi piratate, precum şi a serviciilor care distribuie materiale ce încalcă, subminează comerţul legal şi durabil, cauzează pierderi financiare semnificative pentru titularii de drepturi şi pentru întreprinderi legitime, şi, în unele cazuri, oferă o sursă de venituri criminalităţii organizate şi prezintă riscuri pentru public;

Dorind combaterea acestei proliferări printr-o cooperare internaţională consolidată;

Dorind să ne asiguram că măsurile şi procedurile pentru aplicarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală nu devin ele insele bariere în calea comerţului legitim;

Dorind să se abordeze problema de încălcare a drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală, inclusiv încălcarea dreptului comunitar care are loc în mediul digital, în special în ceea ce privesc drepturile de autor sau conexe, într-un mod care echilibrează drepturile şi interesele relevante ale titularilor de drepturi, furnizorilot de servicii, şi a utilizatorilor;

Dorind ca prezentul acord sa functioneze într-un mod reciproc de sustinere internationala de aplicare a legislaţiei

Recunoscând principiile enunţate în Declaraţia de la Doha privind Acordul TRIPS şi sănătatea publică, adoptată la 14 noiembrie 2001, la a patra ministerială a OMC

Se convine după cum urmează:

CAPITOLUL I

DISPOZIŢII INIŢIALE ŞI DEFINIŢII GENERALE

Secţiunea 1: Dispoziţii iniţiale

ARTICOLUL 1: Relaţia cu alte acorduri

Acest acord se deroga de la orice obligaţie în ceea ce priveşte orice altă parte în conformitate cu acordurile existente, inclusiv Acordul TRIPS.

ARTICOLUL 2: natura OBLIGAŢIILOR

1. Fiecare parte trebuie să fie libera să stabilească metoda corespunzătoare de punere în aplicare a dispoziţiilor prezentului acord în propriul său sistem legal şi practică.

2. Nimic din acest acord nu creează vreo obligaţie cu privire la distribuirea resurselor între aplicarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală şi punerea în aplicare a drepturilor, în general.

3. Obiectivele şi principiile enunţate în partea I din Acordul TRIPS, în special la articolele 7 şi 8, se aplică la prezentul acord.

ARTICOLUL 3: standardele cu privire la disponibilitatea ŞI DOMENIUL DE APLICARE A DREPTULUI DE PROPRIETATE INTELECTUALĂ

1. Prezentul acord se aplică fără a aduce atingere dispoziţiilor în legislaţia unei părţi care reglementează existenţa, achiziţionarea, domeniul de aplicare, şi de întreţinere a dreptului proprietăţii intelectuale.

ARTICOLUL 4: CONFIDENŢIALITATE şi divulgarea de informaţii

1. Nimic din acest acord sa nu impună unei Părţi să divulge:

(A) informaţii, a căror divulgare ar fi contrară legislaţiei sale, inclusiv legile care protejează drepturile de confidenţialitate, sau acordurile internaţionale

(B) informaţii confidenţiale, a căror divulgare ar împiedica dreptul de executare sau ar fi contrară interesului public; sau

(C) informaţii confidenţiale, a căror divulgare ar aduce atingere intereselor legitime comerciale ale anumitor întreprinderi, publice sau private.

Secţiunea 2: Definiţii generale

ARTICOLUL 5: DEFINIŢII GENERALE

În sensul prezentului acord, cu excepţia cazului în care se prevede altfel:

(A) ACTA înseamnă Acordul de combatere a contrafacerii Comerţului;

(B) comitet înseamnă comitetul instituit în temeiul ACTA Capitolul V (Aranjamente instituţionale);

Mărfurile piratate înseamnă orice bunuri care sunt copii făcute fără consimţământul titularului dreptului sau a persoanei autorizate în mod corespunzător de către titularului de drepturi în ţara de producţie şi care sunt executate, direct sau indirect

Acordul TRIPS înseamnă Acordul privind aspectele legate de comerţ ale Drepturillor de proprietate intelectuală, prevăzute în OMC Acord;

CADRUL JURIDIC PENTRU APLICAREA DREPTURILOR DE PROPRIETATE INTELECTUALĂ

Secţiunea 1: Obligaţii generale

1. Fiecare parte se asigură că procedurile de executare sunt disponibile în temeiul legislaţiei sale astfel încât să permită o acţiune eficientă împotriva oricărui act de încălcare a proprietăţii intelectuale drepturile reglementate de prezentul acord, inclusiv măsuri corective rapide pentru a preveni încălcări şi de căile de atac care constituie un factor de descurajare pentru încălcări. Aceste proceduri trebuie să fie aplicate astfel încât să se evite crearea de obstacole în calea comerţului legitim şi să ofere protecţie împotriva folosirii lor abuzive.

2. Procedurile adoptate, menţinute, aplicate sau să se pună în aplicare dispoziţiile prezentei trebuie să fie corecte şi echitabile

Fiecare parte va pune la dispoziţia titularilor de drepturi procedurile judiciare civile în ceea ce priveşte punerea în aplicare cu privire la orice drept de proprietate intelectuală astfel cum se specifică în această Secţiune.

2. În măsura în care orice cai de atac civile pot fi comandate ca urmare a unor controale administrative, fiecare parte se asigură că aceste proceduri sunt conforme cu principiile echivalente cu cele prevăzute în prezenta secţiune.

ARTICOLUL 9: DAUNE

1. Fiecare parte va prevedea că, în cadrul unei proceduri judiciare civile cu privire la respectarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală, autorităţile sale judiciare au autoritatea de a oblige contravenientul la plata de daune pentru a compensa prejudiciul titularului de drepturi care a avut de suferit ca urmare a încălcării.

In ceea ce priveşte încălcarea drepturilor de autor sau drepturile conexe protejarea, fonogramelor, şi, în cazuri de falsificare a marcii, fiecare parte trebuie să stabilească daune;

In ceea ce priveste mărfurile piratate dreptului de autor şi a mărfurilor contrafăcute, fiecare parte se asigură că, în cadrul unei proceduri judiciare civile, la cererea titularului dreptului, autorităţile au autoritatea de a ordona distrugerea marfurilor care încalcă dreprul de proprietate, fără nici o despăgubire.

Autorităţile au dreptul, pe baza cererii titularului de drept, să ordone contravenientului să furnizeze titularului dreptului sau a autorităţilor judiciare, cel puţin pentru scopul de a aduna probe, informaţii relevante. Astfel de informaţii să includă date cu privire la orice persoană implicată în orice aspect de încălcare sau presupusa încălcare şi cu privire la mijloacele de producţie sau canalele de distribuţie a marcii piratate, inclusiv identificarea unor terte persoane presupuse a fi implicate în producţia şi distribuţia de bunuri sau servicii şi a canalelor lor de distribuţie.

ARTICOLUL 12: MĂSURI PROVIZORII

1. Fiecare parte se asigură că autorităţile sale judiciare au autoritatea de a comanda prompte şi eficiente măsuri provizorii:

(A) împotriva unei părţi sau, după caz, o terţă parte asupra căreia autoritatea judiciară este competentă pentru a preveni o incălcare a unui drept de proprietate intelectuală

(B) pentru a păstra dovezile pertinente în ceea ce priveşte pretinsa încălcare.

2. Fiecare parte se asigură că autorităţile sale judiciare au autoritatea de a adopta măsuri provizorii acolo unde este cazul, în special în cazul în care orice întârziere este de natură să cauzeze un prejudiciu ireparabil titularului dreptului, sau în cazul în care există un risc demonstrabil de distrugere a dovezilor.

3. Cel puţin în cazurile de autor sau drepturile conexe încălcarea drepturilor şi marca contrafacerii, fiecare parte se asigură că, în cadrul unei proceduri judiciare civile, autorităţile au autoritatea să dispună măsura confiscării sau luarea în custodie de alte bunuri

4. În cazul în care măsurile provizorii sunt revocate sau în cazul în care încetează din cauza oricărui act de omisiune de către solicitant, sau în cazul în care se dovedeşte ulterior că nu a existat încălcarea unui drept de proprietate intelectuală, autorităţile judiciare trebuie să aibă autoritatea de obligare a reclamantei, la cererea pârâtului, să furnizeze pârâtei o compensaţie adecvată pentru orice prejudiciu cauzat de aceste măsuri.

ARTICOLUL 16: măsuri la frontieră

1. Fiecare parte adoptă sau menţine proceduri cu privire la importul şi exportul marfurilor în care:

(A) autorităţile sale vamale pot acţiona pentru a suspenda libera trecere a mărfurilor suspecte; şi

(B) după caz, titularul dreptului poate solicita autorităţilor competente să suspende punerea în circulaţie de mărfuri suspecte.

2. O parte poate adopta sau menţine proceduri cu privire la tranzitarea de bunuri sau în alte situaţii în care mărfurile sunt sub control vamal

Articolul 17: cererea titularului

1. Fiecare parte se asigură ca autorităţile sale competente să solicite unui titular să furnizeze dovezi adecvate pentru a demonstra autorităţilor competente că, în conformitate cu legislaţia părţii care furnizează procedurile, există o încălcare a dreptul titularului dreptului de proprietate intelectuală

2. Fiecare parte se va asigura ca cererile de a suspenda orice bunuri suspecte sunt corecte

3. Fiecare parte se asigură că autorităţile sale competente informează solicitantul în termen rezonabil, dacă i-a fost acceptata cererea.

ARTICOLUL 20: CĂI DE ATAC

1. Fiecare parte se asigură că autorităţile sale competente au autoritatea de a obliga distrugerea de bunuri ca urmare a unei constatari menţionate la articolul 19, că mărfurile sunt contrafăcute. În cazurile în care astfel de mărfuri care nu sunt distruse, fiecare parte se asigură că, cu excepţia excepţionalelor circumstanţe, astfel de bunuri sunt eliminate în afara canalelor de comerţ astfel încât să se evite orice prejudiciu adus titularului dreptului.

2. În ceea ce priveşte produsele cu mărci contrafăcute, eliminarea simplă a marcii în mod ilegal nu va fi suficienta pentru a permite liberul traffic la  vamă a mărfurilor în circuitele comerciale.

3. O parte poate să prevadă că autorităţile sale competente au autoritatea de a impune sancţiuni administrative

ARTICOLUL 21: TAXE

Fiecare parte se asigură că orice taxe de cerere, taxa de depozitare, sau distrugere care urmează să fie evaluate de către autorităţile competente în legătură cu procedurile descries în această secţiune nu se utilizează pentru a descuraja nejustificat recurgerea la aceste proceduri.

ARTICOLUL 22: DEZVĂLUIREA DE INFORMAŢII

Fără a aduce atingere legislaţiei unei părţi referitoare la confidenţialitatea sau a confidenţialităţii informaţii:

(A) o parte poate autoriza autorităţile sale competente pentru a oferi o titularului dreptului informaţii despre transferurile specifice de produse, inclusiv descrierea şi cantitatea mărfurilor, pentru a ajuta la detectarea bunurilor contrafăcute;

(B) o parte poate autoriza autorităţile sale competente pentru a oferi o titularului dreptului informaţii despre bunuri, dar nu limitat la, descrierea şi cantitatea mărfurilor, numele şi adresa ,expeditor, importator, exportator, destinatar sau, şi, dacă se cunoaşte, ţara de origine a mărfurilor, precum şi numele şi adresa producătorului mărfurilor, pentru a ajuta la determinarea menţionată la articolul 19

Secţiunea 4: Executarea penală

ARTICOLUL 23: infracţiunilor

 

1. Fiecare parte trebuie să prevadă proceduri şi sancţiuni penale care urmează să fie aplicate cel puţin în cazuri de falsificare intenţionată sau mărci comerciale piratate
2. Fiecare parte trebuie să prevadă proceduri şi sancţiuni penale care urmează să fie aplicate în cazuri de intenţie şi de uz casnic, în cadrul comerţului şi pe o scară comercială, de etichete sau ambalaje:

O parte poate să prevadă proceduri şi sancţiuni penale în cazurile adecvate pentru copierea neautorizată a operelor cinematografice de la un spectacol, facilitatea de expunere a imaginii în general pentru public.

4. În ceea ce priveşte infracţiunile prevăzute în prezentul articol, pentru care o parte prevede proceduri şi sancţiuni penale, care parte se asigură că răspunderea penală pentru complicitatea şi tăinuirea este disponibila în temeiul legislaţiei sale.

5. Fiecare parte va adopta măsurile care ar putea fi necesare, în conformitate cu principiile juridice, pentru a stabili răspunderea, care poate fi penală, a persoanelor juridice pentru infracţiuni specificate în prezentul articol, pentru care acordul prevede procedurile penale şi sancţiuni.

ARTICOLUL 24: SANCŢIUNI

Pentru infracţiunile prevăzute la alineatele 1, 2, şi 4 din articolul 23 alineatul (penală Infracţiuni), fiecare parte prevede sancţiuni care includ pedeapsa cu închisoarea, precum şi amenzi suficient de mari pentru a oferi un factor de descurajare a actelor de încălcare a dreptului comunitar în viitor.În ceea ce priveşte infracţiunile prevăzute in articolul 23 alineatul (Penal Infracţiuni) pentru care o parte prevede proceduri şi sancţiuni penale, care se asigură că autorităţile sale competente au autoritatea de a comanda confiscarea sau distrugerea tuturor mărfurilor contrafăcute sau a mărfurilor piratate dreptului de autor. În cazurile în care mărfurile contrafăcute şi mărfurile piratate  dreptului de autor nu sunt distruse, autorităţile competente se asigură că astfel de mărfuri trebuie să fie eliminate în afara canalelor de comerţ în astfel încât să evite producerea oricărui prejudiciu titularului dreptului.

ARTICOLUL 26: EX oficiu EXECUTAREA PENALE

Fiecare parte va prevedea că, în cazuri adecvate, autorităţilor sale competente pot acţiona din proprie iniţiativă, de a iniţia anchete sau acţiuni legale cu privire la infracţiunile prevăzute la punctele 1, 2, 3, şi 4 din articolul 23 alineatul (penală Infracţiuni) pentru care acea parte prevede proceduri şi sancţiuni penale.

Secţiunea 5: Aplicarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală în mediul digital

1. Fiecare parte se asigură că procedurile de executare, în măsura stabilite în Secţiunile 2 (Executarea civilă) şi 4 (executare penală), sunt disponibile în cadrul său de lege, astfel încât să permită o acţiune eficientă împotriva unui act de încălcare a proprietăţii intelectuale.

2. În plus la punctul 1, procedurile fiecărei părţi de aplicare se aplică pentru încălcare a drepturilor de autor sau drepturile conexe prin reţele digitale, care pot include utilizarea ilicită a mijloacelor de distribuţie pe scară largă în scopuri ilicite. Aceste proceduri trebuie să fie puse în aplicare într-un mod care să evite crearea de obstacole în calea comerţului electronic, şi, în concordanţă cu legislaţia respectivei părţi, păstrează principiile fundamentale, cum ar fi libertatea de exprimare, proces echitabil, şi de confidenţialitate.

O parte poate prevedea, în conformitate cu legile si reglementarile sale, competente sa comande unui furnizor de servicii on-line pentru a dezvălui rapid la o informaţie a titularului dreptului suficienta pentru a identifica un abonat al cărui cont pretinde că a fost folosit pentru încălcarea dreptului comunitar, în cazul în care titularul a depus un punct de vedere juridic. Aceste proceduri sunt puse în aplicare într-un mod care să evite crearea de bariere in activităţi legitime, inclusiv comerţul electronic, şi, în concordanţă cu faptul că trebuie pastrate principiile fundamentale, cum ar fi libertatea de exprimare, proces echitabil, şi de confidenţialitate.

5. Fiecare parte va asigura o protecţie juridică adecvată şi căi de atac eficiente împotriva eludării măsurilor tehnologice eficiente care sunt utilizate de către autori, artiştii interpreţi sau executanţi sau producătorii de fonograme, în legătură cu exercitarea drepturilor lor.

ARTICOLUL 30: TRANSPARENŢA

Pentru a promova transparenţa în administrarea drepturilor sale de proprietate intelectuală a sistemului de aplicare, fiecare parte va lua măsurile adecvate, în conformitate cu legislaţia şi politici, de a publica sau pune la dispoziţia publicului informaţii privind:

(A) procedurile disponibile în temeiul legislaţiei sale pentru executarea de drepturi de proprietate intelectuală

(B) legile, regulamentele, deciziile judecătoreşti definitive şi administrative, hotărârile de aplicare generală referitoare la punerea în aplicare a drepturile de proprietate intelectuală; şi

(C) eforturile sale de a asigura un sistem eficient de executare şi de protecţie a drepturile de proprietate intelectuală.

ARTICOLUL 31: a opiniei publice

Fiecare parte trebuie, după caz, sa promoveze adoptarea unor măsuri pentru a consolida conştientizarea publicului cu privire la importanţa respectării drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală şi efectele negative ale încălcării drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală.

Distrugerea bunurilor care încalcă drepturile de proprietate intelectuală se face consecvent cu legile şi reglementările privind problemele de mediu

CAPITOLUL IV

COOPERARE INTERNAŢIONALĂ

ARTICOLUL 33: cooperarea internaţională

1. Fiecare parte recunoaşte că cooperarea internaţională este vitală pentru realizarea efectivă a protectiei drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală şi că ar trebui să fie încurajată, indiferent de originea mărfurilor care încalcă drepturile de proprietate intelectuală, sau locaţia sau cetăţenia titularului dreptului.

2. În scopul de a combate incalcarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală, în special contrafacerea mărcilor comerciale şi drepturi de autor sau drepturi conexe de piraterie, părţile vor promova cooperarea, după caz, între autorităţile lor competente responsabile pentru respectarea drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală.

”Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

3 December 2010

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The Parties to this Agreement,

Noting that effective enforcement of intellectual property rights is critical to sustaining economic growth across all industries and globally;

Noting further that the proliferation of counterfeit and pirated goods, as well as of services that distribute infringing material, undermines legitimate trade and sustainable development of the world economy, causes significant financial losses for right holders and for legitimate businesses, and, in some  cases, provides a source of revenue for organized crime and otherwise poses risks to the public;

Desiring  to combat such proliferation through enhanced international cooperation and more effective international enforcement;

Intending to provide effective and appropriate means, complementing the TRIPS Agreement, for the enforcement of intellectual property rights, taking into account differences in their respective legal systems and practices;

Desiring  to ensure that measures and procedures to enforce intellectual property rights do not themselves become barriers to legitimate trade;

Desiring  to address the problem of infringement of intellectual property rights, including infringement taking place in the digital environment, in particular with respect to copyright or related rights, in a manner that balances the rights and interests of the relevant right holders, service providers, and users;

Desiring to promote cooperation between service providers and right holders to address relevant infringements in the digital environment;

Desiring that this Agreement operates in a manner mutually supportive of international enforcement work and cooperation conducted within relevant international organizations;

Recognizing  the principles set forth in the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, adopted on 14 November 2001, at the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference;

Hereby agree as follows:

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CHAPTER I

INITIAL PROVISIONS AND GENERAL DEFINITIONS

Section 1:  Initial Provisions

ARTICLE 1:  RELATION TO OTHER AGREEMENTS

Nothing in this Agreement shall derogate from any obligation  of a Party with respect to any other Party under existing agreements, including the TRIPS Agreement.

ARTICLE 2:  NATURE AND SCOPE OF OBLIGATIONS

1. Each Party shall give effect to the provisions of this Agreement.  A Party may implement in its law more extensive enforcement of intellectual property rights than is required by this Agreement, provided that such enforcement does not contravene the provisions of this Agreement.  Each Party  shall be free to determine the appropriate method of implementing the provisions of this Agreement within its own legal system and practice.

2. Nothing in this Agreement creates any obligation with respect to the distribution of resources as between enforcement of intellectual property rights and enforcement of law in general.

3. The objectives and principles set forth in Part I of the TRIPS Agreement,  in particular in Articles 7 and 8, shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Agreement.

ARTICLE  3:  RELATION TO STANDARDS CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY AND SCOPE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

1. This Agreement shall be without prejudice to provisions in a Party’s law governing the availability, acquisition, scope, and maintenance of  intellectual property rights.

2. This Agreement does not create any obligation on a Party to apply measures where a right in intellectual property is not protected under its laws and regulations.

ARTICLE 4:  PRIVACY AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

1. Nothing in this Agreement shall require a Party to disclose:

(a)  information, the disclosure of which would be contrary to its law, including laws protecting privacy rights, or international agreements to

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which it is party;

(b)  confidential information, the disclosure of which would impede law enforcement or otherwise be contrary to the public interest; or

(c)  confidential information, the disclosure of which would prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of  particular enterprises, public or private.

2. When a Party provides written information pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the Party receiving the information shall, subject to its law  and practice, refrain from disclosing or using the information for a purpose other than that for which the information was provided, except with the prior consent of the Party providing the information.

Section 2:  General Definitions

ARTICLE 5:  GENERAL DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified:

(a)  ACTA means the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement;

(b)  Committee means the ACTA Committee established under Chapter V (Institutional Arrangements);

(c)  competent authorities includes the appropriate judicial, administrative, or law enforcement authorities under a Party’s law;

(d)  counterfeit trademark goods means any goods, including packaging, bearing without authorization a trademark which  is identical to the trademark validly registered in respect of such goods, or which cannot be distinguished in its essential aspects from such a trademark, and which thereby infringes the rights of the owner of the trademark in question under the law of the country in which the procedures set forth in Chapter

II (Legal Framework for Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights) are invoked;

(e)  country is to be understood to have the same meaning as that set forth in the Explanatory Notes to the WTO Agreement;

(f)  customs transit means the customs procedure under which goods are transported under customs control from one customs office to another;

4

(g)  days means calendar days;

(h)  intellectual property refers to all categories of intellectual property that are the subject of Sections 1 through 7 of Part II of the TRIPS Agreement;

(i)  in-transit goods means goods under customs transit or transhipment;

(j)  person means a natural person or a legal person;

(k)  pirated copyright goods  means any goods which are copies made without the consent of the right holder or person duly authorized by the right holder in the country of production and which are made directly or indirectly from an article where the making of that copy would have constituted an infringement of a copyright or a related right under the law of the country in which the procedures set forth in  Chapter II (Legal Framework for Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights) are invoked;

(l)  right holder  includes a federation or an association having the legal standing to assert rights in intellectual property;

(m)  territory, for the purposes of Section 3 (Border Measures) of Chapter II (Legal Framework for Enforcement  of Intellectual Property Rights), means the customs territory and all free zones

1 of a Party;

(n)  transhipment means the customs procedure under which goods are transferred under customs control from the importing means of transport to the exporting means of transport within the area of one customs office which is the office of both importation and exportation;

(o)  TRIPS Agreement means the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, contained in Annex 1C to the WTO Agreement;

(p)  WTO means the World Trade Organization; and

(q)  WTO Agreement means the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, done on 15 April 1994.

1 For greater certainty, the Parties acknowledge that  free zone means a part of the territory of a Party where any goods introduced are generally regarded, insofar as import duties and taxes are concerned, as being outside the customs territory.

CHAPTER II

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Section 1:  General Obligations

ARTICLE 6:  GENERAL OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO ENFORCEMENT

1. Each Party shall ensure that enforcement procedures are available under its law so as to permit effective action against any act of infringement of intellectual property rights covered by this Agreement, including expeditious remedies to prevent infringements and remedies which constitute a deterrent to further infringements.  These procedures shall be applied  in such a manner as to avoid the creation of barriers to legitimate trade and to provide for safeguards against their abuse.

2.  Procedures adopted, maintained, or applied to implement the provisions of this Chapter shall be fair  and equitable, and shall provide for the rights of all participants subject to such procedures to be appropriately protected.  These procedures shall not be unnecessarily complicated or costly, or entail unreasonable time-limits or unwarranted delays.

3.  In implementing the provisions of this  Chapter, each Party shall take into account the need for proportionality between the seriousness of the infringement, the interests of third parties, and the applicable measures, remedies and penalties.

4. No provision of this Chapter shall be  construed to require  a Party to make its officials subject to liability  for acts undertaken in the performance of their official duties.

Section 2:  Civil Enforcement

ARTICLE 7:  AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL PROCEDURES

1. Each Party shall make available to right holders civil judicial procedures concerning the enforcement of any intellectual property right as specified in this Section.

2. To the extent that any civil remedy can be ordered as a result of administrative procedures on the merits of a case, each Party shall provide that such procedures shall conform to principles equivalent in substance to those set forth in this Section.

A Party may exclude patents and protection of undisclosed information from the scope of this Section.

ARTICLE 8:  INJUNCTIONS

1. Each Party shall provide that, in civil judicial proceedings concerning the enforcement of intellectual property rights, its  judicial authorities have the authority to issue an order against a party to desist from an infringement, and inter alia, an order to that party or, where appropriate, to a third party over whom the relevant judicial authority exercises jurisdiction, to prevent goods that involve the infringement of an intellectual property right from entering into the channels of commerce.

2. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section, a Party may limit the remedies available against use by governments, or by third parties authorized by a government, without the authorization of  the right holder, to the payment of remuneration, provided that the Party complies with the provisions  of Part II of the TRIPS Agreement specifically addressing such use.  In other cases, the remedies under this Section shall apply or, where these remedies are inconsistent with a Party’s law, declaratory judgments and adequate compensation shall be available.

ARTICLE 9:  DAMAGES

1. Each Party shall provide that, in civil judicial proceedings concerning the enforcement of intellectual property rights, its  judicial authorities have the authority to order the infringer who, knowingly or with reasonable grounds to know, engaged in infringing activity to pay the right holder  damages adequate to compensate for the injury the right holder has suffered as a result of the infringement.  In determining the amount of damages for infringement of intellectual property rights, a Party’s judicial authorities  shall have the authority to consider,  inter alia, any legitimate measure of value the right holder submits, which may include lost profits, the value of the infringed goods or services measured by the market price, or the suggested retail price.

2. At least in cases of copyright or related rights infringement and trademark

counterfeiting, each Party shall provide that,  in civil judicial proceedings, its judicial

authorities have the authority to order the infringer to pay the right holder the infringer’s

profits that are attributable to the infringement.  A Party may presume those profits to be

the amount of damages referred to in paragraph 1.

 

3. At least with respect to infringement  of copyright or related rights protecting

works, phonograms, and performances, and in cases of trademark counterfeiting, each

Party shall also establish or maintain a system that provides for  one or more of the

following:

(a)  pre-established damages; or

7

(b)  presumptions

3 for determining the amount of damages sufficient to compensate the right holder for the harm caused by the infringement; or

(c)  at least for copyright, additional damages.

4. Where a Party provides the remedy referred to in subparagraph 3(a) or the

presumptions referred to in  subparagraph 3(b), it shall ensure that either its judicial

authorities or the right holder has the right to choose such a remedy or presumptions as

an alternative to the remedies referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.

5. Each Party shall provide that its judicial authorities, where appropriate, have the

authority to order, at the conclusion of civil judicial proceedings concerning

infringement of at least copyright or related rights, or trademarks, that  the prevailing

party be awarded payment by the losing party  of court costs or fees and appropriate

attorney’s fees, or any other expenses as provided for under that Party’s law.

ARTICLE 10:  OTHER REMEDIES

1. At least with respect to pirated copyright goods and counterfeit trademark goods,

each Party shall provide that, in civil judicial proceedings, at the right holder’s request,

its judicial authorities have the authority to order that such infringing goods be

destroyed, except in exceptional circumstances, without compensation of any sort.

2. Each Party shall further provide that its judicial authorities have the authority to

order that materials and implements, the predominant use of which has been in the

manufacture or creation of such infringing goods, be, without undue delay and without

compensation of any sort, destroyed or disposed of outside the channels of commerce in

such a manner as to minimize the risks of further infringements.

3. A Party may provide for the remedies described in this Article to be carried out

at the infringer’s expense.

ARTICLE 11:  INFORMATION RELATED TO INFRINGEMENT

Without prejudice to its law governing privilege, the protection of confidentiality of information sources, or  the processing of personal data, each Party shall provide that,  in civil judicial proceedings  concerning the enforcement of

3

The presumptions referred to in subparagraph 3(b) may include a presumption that the amount of

damages is: (i) the quantity of the goods infringing the right holder’s intellectual property right  in

question and actually assigned to third persons, multiplied by the amount of profit per unit of goods

which would have been sold by the right holder if there had not been the act of infringement; or (ii) a

reasonable royalty; or (iii) a lump sum on the basis of elements such as at least the amount of royalties or

fees which would have been due if the infringer had requested authorization to use the intellectual

property right in question.

8 intellectual property rights, its judicial authorities have  the authority, upon a justified

request of the right holder, to order the infringer  or, in the alternative, the alleged

infringer,  to provide  to the right holder or to the judicial authorities, at least for the

purpose of collecting evidence, relevant information  as provided for in its applicable

laws and regulations that the infringer or alleged infringer possesses or controls.  Such

information may include information regarding any person involved in any aspect of the

infringement or alleged infringement  and regarding the means of production or the

channels of distribution of  the infringing  or allegedly infringing  goods or services,

including the identification of third persons alleged to be involved in the production and

distribution of such goods or services and of their channels of distribution.

ARTICLE 12:  PROVISIONAL MEASURES

1. Each Party shall provide that its judicial authorities have the authority to order

prompt and effective provisional measures:

(a)  against a party or, where appropriate, a third party over whom the

relevant judicial authority exercises jurisdiction,  to prevent an

infringement of any intellectual property right from occurring, and in

particular, to prevent goods that  involve the infringement of an

intellectual property right from entering into the channels of commerce;

(b)  to preserve relevant evidence in regard to the alleged infringement.

2. Each Party shall provide that its judicial authorities have the authority to adopt

provisional measures  inaudita altera parte where appropriate, in particular where any

delay is likely to cause irreparable harm  to the right holder, or where there is a

demonstrable risk of evidence being  destroyed.  In proceedings conducted  inaudita

altera parte, each  Party shall provide its judicial authorities with the authority to act

expeditiously on requests for provisional measures and to make a decision without

undue delay.

3. At least in cases of copyright or related rights infringement and trademark

counterfeiting, each Party shall provide that, in civil judicial proceedings, its judicial

authorities have the authority to order the seizure or other taking into custody of suspect

goods, and of materials and implements relevant to the act of infringement, and, at least

for trademark counterfeiting, documentary evidence, either originals or copies thereof,

relevant to the infringement.

4. Each Party shall provide that its authorities have the authority to require the

applicant, with respect to provisional measures, to provide any reasonably available

evidence in order to satisfy themselves with a sufficient degree of certainty that the

applicant’s right is being infringed or that such infringement is  imminent, and to order

the applicant to provide a security or equivalent assurance sufficient to protect the

defendant and to prevent abuse.  Such security or equivalent assurance shall not

9

unreasonably deter recourse to procedures for such provisional measures.

5. Where the provisional measures are revoked or where they lapse due to any act

or omission by the applicant, or where it is subsequently  found that there has been no

infringement of an intellectual property right, the judicial authorities shall have the

authority to order the applicant, upon request of the defendant, to provide the defendant

appropriate compensation for any injury caused by these measures.

Section 3:  Border Measures

4, 5

ARTICLE 13:  SCOPE OF THE BORDER MEASURES

6

In providing, as appropriate, and consistent with  its domestic system of

intellectual property rights protection and without prejudice to the requirements of the

TRIPS Agreement, for effective border enforcement of intellectual property rights, a

Party should do so in a manner that does  not discriminate unjustifiably between

intellectual property rights and that avoids the creation of barriers to legitimate trade.

ARTICLE 14:  SMALL CONSIGNMENTS AND PERSONAL LUGGAGE

1.  Each Party shall include in the application of this Section goods of a commercial

nature sent in small consignments.

2. A Party may exclude from the application of this Section small quantities of

goods of a non-commercial nature contained in travellers’ personal luggage.

ARTICLE 15:  PROVISION OF INFORMATION FROM THE RIGHT HOLDER

Each Party shall permit its competent authorities to request a right holder to

supply relevant information to assist the  competent authorities  in taking the border

measures referred to in this Section.  A Party may also allow a right holder to supply

relevant information to its competent authorities.

4 Where a Party has dismantled substantially all controls over movement of goods across its border with

another Party with which it forms part of a customs union, it shall not be required to apply the provisions

of this Section at that border.

5 It is understood that there shall be no obligation  to apply the procedures set forth in this Section to

goods put on the market in another country by or with the consent of the right holder.

6

The Parties agree that patents and protection of undisclosed information do not fall within the scope of

this Section.

10

ARTICLE 16:  BORDER MEASURES

1.  Each Party shall adopt or maintain procedures with respect to import and export

shipments under which:

(a)  its customs authorities may act upon their own initiative to suspend the

release of suspect goods; and

(b)  where appropriate, a right holder may request its competent authorities to

suspend the release of suspect goods.

2.  A Party may adopt or maintain procedures with respect to suspect in-transit

goods or in other situations where the goods are under customs control under which:

a)  its customs authorities may act upon their own initiative to suspend the

release of, or to detain, suspect goods; and

(b)  where appropriate, a right holder may request its competent authorities to

suspend the release of, or to detain, suspect goods.

Article 17:  APPLICATION BY THE RIGHT HOLDER

1. Each Party shall provide that its competent authorities require a right holder that

requests the procedures described in subparagraphs 1(b) and 2(b) of Article 16 (Border

Measures) to provide adequate evidence to satisfy the competent authorities that, under

the law of the Party providing the procedures, there is prima facie an infringement of

the right holder’s intellectual property right, and to supply sufficient information that

may reasonably be expected to be within the right holder’s knowledge to make the

suspect goods reasonably recognizable by the competent authorities.  The requirement

to provide sufficient information shall not unreasonably deter recourse to the procedures

described in subparagraphs 1(b) and 2(b) of Article 16 (Border Measures).

2. Each Party shall provide for applications to suspend the release of, or to detain,

any suspect goods

7 under customs control in its territory.  A Party may provide for such

applications to apply to multiple shipments.  A Party may provide that, at the request of

the right holder, the application to suspend the release of, or to detain, suspect goods

may apply to selected points of entry and exit under customs control.

3. Each Party shall ensure that its competent authorities inform the applicant within

a reasonable period whether they have accepted the application.  Where its competent

authorities have accepted the application, they shall also inform the  applicant of  the

7 The requirement to provide for such applications is subject to the obligations to provide procedures

referred to in subparagraphs 1(b) and 2(b) of Article 16 (Border Measures).

11

period of validity of the application.

4. A Party may provide that, where the  applicant has abused the procedures

described in subparagraphs 1(b) and 2(b)  of Article 16 (Border Measures), or where

there is due cause, its competent authorities have the authority to deny, suspend, or void

an application.

ARTICLE 18:  SECURITY OR EQUIVALENT ASSURANCE

Each Party shall provide that its competent authorities have the authority to

require a right holder that requests the procedures described in subparagraphs 1(b) and

2(b) of Article 16 (Border Measures) to provide a reasonable security or equivalent

assurance sufficient to protect the defendant and the competent authorities and to

prevent abuse.  Each Party shall provide that such security or equivalent assurance shall

not unreasonably deter recourse to these procedures.  A Party may provide that such

security may be in the form of a bond conditioned to hold the defendant harmless from

any loss or damage resulting from any suspension of the release of, or detention of, the

goods in the event the competent authorities determine that the goods are not infringing.

A Party may, only in exceptional circumstances or pursuant to a judicial order, permit

the defendant to obtain possession of suspect goods by posting a bond or other security.

ARTICLE 19:  DETERMINATION AS TO INFRINGEMENT

Each Party shall adopt or maintain procedures by which its competent

authorities may determine, within a reasonable period after the initiation of the

procedures described in Article 16 (Border Measures), whether the suspect goods

infringe an intellectual property right.

ARTICLE 20:  REMEDIES

1. Each Party shall provide that its competent authorities have the authority to

order the destruction of goods following a  determination referred to in Article 19

(Determination as to Infringement) that the goods are infringing.  In cases where such

goods are not destroyed, each Party shall  ensure that, except in exceptional

circumstances, such goods are disposed of outside the channels of commerce in such a

manner as to avoid any harm to the right holder.

2. In regard to counterfeit trademark goods, the simple removal of the trademark

unlawfully affixed shall not be sufficient, other than in exceptional cases, to permit

release of the goods into the channels of commerce.

3. A Party may provide that its competent authorities have the authority to impose

administrative penalties following a determination referred to in Article 19

12

(Determination as to Infringement) that the goods are infringing.

ARTICLE 21:  FEES

Each Party shall provide that any application fee, storage fee, or destruction fee

to be assessed by its competent authorities in connection with the procedures described

in this Section shall not be used to unreasonably deter recourse to these procedures.

ARTICLE 22:  DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

Without prejudice to a Party’s laws pertaining to the privacy or confidentiality of

information:

(a)  a Party may authorize its competent authorities to provide a right holder

with information about specific shipments of goods, including the

description and quantity of the goods, to assist in the detection of

infringing goods;

(b)  a Party may authorize its competent authorities to provide a right holder

with information about goods, including, but not limited to, the

description and quantity of the goods, the name and address of the

consignor, importer, exporter, or consignee, and, if known, the country of

origin of the goods, and the name and address of the manufacturer of the

goods, to assist in the determination referred to in Article 19

(Determination as to Infringement);

(c)  unless a Party has provided its competent authorities with the authority

described in subparagraph (b), at least in cases of imported goods, where

its competent authorities have seized suspect goods or, in the alternative,

made a determination referred to in Article 19 (Determination as to

Infringement) that the goods are infringing, the Party shall authorize its

competent authorities to provide a right holder, within thirty days

8

of the seizure or determination, with information about such goods, including,

but not limited to, the description and quantity of the goods, the name

and address of the consignor, importer, exporter, or consignee, and, if

known, the country of origin of the goods, and the name and address of

the manufacturer of the goods.

Section 4:  Criminal Enforcement

For the purposes of this Article, days means business days.

ARTICLE 23:  CRIMINAL OFFENCES

1.  Each Party shall provide for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied at

least in cases of wilful trademark counterfeiting or copyright or related rights piracy on

a commercial scale.

For the purposes of this Section, acts carried out on a commercial

scale include at least those carried out as commercial activities for  direct or indirect

economic or commercial advantage.

2. Each Party shall provide for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied in

cases of wilful importation10

and domestic use, in the  course of trade and on a

commercial scale, of labels or packaging:

11

(a)  to which a mark has been applied without authorization which is identical

to, or cannot be distinguished from, a trademark registered in its territory;

and

(b)  which are intended to be used in the course of trade on goods or in

relation to services which are identical to goods or services for which

such trademark is registered.

3.  A Party may provide criminal procedures and penalties in appropriate cases for

the unauthorized copying of cinematographic works from a performance in a motion

picture exhibition facility generally open to the public.

4.  With respect to the offences specified in this Article for which a Party provides

criminal procedures and penalties, that Party shall ensure that criminal liability for

aiding and abetting is available under its law.

5. Each Party shall adopt such measures as may be necessary, consistent with its

legal principles, to establish the liability, which may be criminal, of legal persons for the

offences specified in this Article for which  the Party provides criminal procedures and

penalties.  Such liability shall be without prejudice to the criminal liability of the natural

persons who have committed the criminal offences.

9

Each Party shall treat wilful importation or exportation of counterfeit trademark goods or pirated

copyright goods on a commercial scale as unlawful  activities subject to criminal penalties under this

Article.  A Party may comply with its obligation relating to  importation and  exportation of counterfeit

trademark goods or pirated copyright goods by providing for distribution, sale or offer for sale of such

goods on a commercial scale as unlawful activities subject to criminal penalties.

10

A Party may comply with its obligation relating to importation of labels or packaging through its

measures concerning distribution.

11

A Party may comply with its obligations under this paragraph by providing for criminal procedures

and penalties to be applied to attempts to commit a trademark offence.

14

ARTICLE 24:  PENALTIES

For  offences specified in  paragraphs 1, 2, and 4 of Article 23 (Criminal Offences), each Party shall provide penalties that include imprisonment as well as monetary fines sufficiently high to provide a deterrent to future acts of infringement, consistently with the level of penalties applied for crimes of a corresponding gravity.

ARTICLE 25:  SEIZURE, FORFEITURE, AND DESTRUCTION

1.  With respect to the offences specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 23

(Criminal Offences) for which a Party provides criminal procedures and penalties, that

Party shall provide that its competent authorities have the authority to order the seizure

of suspected counterfeit trademark goods or pirated copyright goods, any related

materials and implements used in the commission of the alleged offence, documentary

evidence relevant to the alleged offence,  and the assets derived from, or obtained

directly or indirectly through, the alleged infringing activity.

2. Where a Party requires the identification of items subject to seizure as a

prerequisite for issuing an order referred to in paragraph 1,  that Party shall not require

the items to be described in greater detail  than necessary to identify them for the

purpose of seizure.

3. With respect to the offences specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 23

(Criminal Offences) for which a Party provides criminal procedures and penalties, that

Party shall provide that its competent authorities have the authority to order  the

forfeiture or destruction of all counterfeit trademark goods or pirated copyright goods.

In cases where counterfeit trademark goods and pirated copyright goods are not

destroyed, the competent authorities shall ensure that, except in exceptional

circumstances, such goods shall be disposed  of outside the channels of commerce in

such a manner as to avoid causing any harm to the right holder.  Each Party shall ensure

that the forfeiture or destruction of such goods shall occur without compensation of any

sort to the infringer.

4. With respect to the offences specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 23

(Criminal Offences) for which a Party provides criminal procedures and penalties, that

Party shall provide that its competent authorities have the authority to order the

forfeiture or destruction of materials and implements predominantly used in the creation

of counterfeit trademark goods or pirated  copyright goods and, at least for serious

offences, of the assets derived from, or  obtained directly or indirectly through, the

infringing activity.  Each Party shall ensure that the forfeiture or destruction of such

materials, implements, or assets shall occur without compensation of any sort to the

infringer.

12

It is understood that there is no obligation for a Party to provide for the possibility of imprisonment

and monetary fines to be imposed in parallel.

15

5. With respect to the offences specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 23

(Criminal Offences) for which a Party provides criminal procedures and penalties, that

Party may provide that its judicial authorities have the authority to order:

(a)  the seizure of assets the value of which corresponds to that of the assets

derived from, or obtained directly  or indirectly through, the allegedly

infringing activity; and

(b)  the forfeiture of assets the value  of which corresponds to that of the

assets derived from, or obtained directly or indirectly through, the

infringing activity.

ARTICLE 26:  EX OFFICIO CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT

Each Party shall provide that, in appropriate cases, its competent authorities may

act upon their own initiative to  initiate investigation or legal action with respect to the

criminal offences specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 of  Article 23 (Criminal

Offences) for which that Party provides criminal procedures and penalties.

Section 5: Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Environment

ARTICLE 27:  ENFORCEMENT IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Each Party shall ensure that enforcement procedures, to the extent set forth in

Sections 2 (Civil Enforcement) and 4 (Criminal Enforcement), are available under its

law so as to permit effective action against an act of infringement of intellectual

property rights which takes place in the digital environment, including expeditious

remedies to prevent infringement and remedies which constitute a deterrent to further

infringements.

 

2. Further to paragraph 1, each Party’s  enforcement procedures shall apply to

infringement of copyright or related rights over digital networks, which may include the

unlawful use of means of widespread distribution for infringing purposes. These

procedures shall be implemented in a manner  that avoids the creation of barriers to

legitimate activity, including electronic commerce, and, consistent with that Party’s law,

preserves fundamental principles such as  freedom of expression, fair process, and

privacy.

For instance, without prejudice to a Party’s law, adopting or maintaining a regime providing for

limitations on the liability of, or on the remedies available against, online service providers while

preserving the legitimate interests of right holder.

3. Each Party shall endeavour to promote  cooperative efforts within the business

community to effectively address trademark and copyright or related rights infringement

while preserving legitimate competition and, consistent with that Party’s law, preserving

fundamental principles such as freedom of expression, fair process, and privacy.

4. A Party may provide, in accordance with its laws and regulations, its competent

authorities with the authority to order an online service provider to disclose

expeditiously to a right holder information  sufficient to identify a subscriber whose

account was allegedly used for infringement, where that right holder has filed a legally

sufficient claim of trademark or copyright  or related rights infringement, and where

such information is being sought for the purpose of protecting or enforcing those rights.

These procedures shall be implemented in a manner that avoids the creation of barriers

to legitimate activity, including electronic commerce, and, consistent with that Party’s

law, preserves fundamental principles such as freedom of expression, fair process, and

privacy.

5. Each Party shall provide adequate legal protection and effective legal remedies

against the circumvention of effective technological measures that are used by authors,

performers or producers of phonograms in connection with the exercise of their rights

in, and that restrict acts in respect of, their works, performances, and phonograms,

which are not authorized by the authors, the performers or the producers of phonograms

concerned or permitted by law.

6. In order to provide the adequate legal protection and effective legal remedies

referred to in paragraph 5, each Party shall provide protection at least against:

(a)  to the extent provided by its law:

(i)  the unauthorized circumvention of an effective technological

measure carried out knowingly or with reasonable grounds to

know; and (ii)  the offering to the public by marketing of a device or product,

including computer programs, or a service, as a means of

circumventing an effective technological measure; and

(b)  the manufacture, importation, or distribution of a device or product,

including computer programs, or provision of a service that:

For the purposes of this Article, technological measures means any technology, device, or component

that, in the normal course of its operation, is designed to prevent or restrict acts, in respect of works,

performances, or phonograms, which are not authorized by authors, performers or producers of

phonograms, as provided for by a Party’s law.  Without prejudice to the scope of copyright or related

rights contained in a Party’s law, technological measures  shall be deemed effective where the use of

protected works, performances, or phonograms is controlled by authors, performers or producers of

phonograms through the application of a relevant access control or protection process, such as encryption

or scrambling, or a copy control mechanism, which achieves the objective of protection.

(i)  is primarily designed or produced for the purpose of

circumventing an effective technological measure; or

(ii) has only a limited commercially significant purpose other than

circumventing an effective technological measure.

7. To protect electronic rights management information,

each Party shall provide adequate legal protection and effective legal remedies against any person knowingly

performing without authority any of the following acts knowing, or with respect to civil

remedies, having reasonable grounds to know, that it will induce, enable, facilitate, or

conceal an infringement of any copyright or related rights:

(a)  to remove or alter any electronic rights management information;

 (b)  to distribute, import for distribution, broadcast, communicate, or make

available to the public copies of works, performances, or phonograms,

knowing that electronic rights management information has been

removed or altered without authority.

8. In providing adequate legal protection and effective legal remedies pursuant to

the provisions of paragraphs 5 and 7, a  Party may adopt or maintain appropriate

limitations or exceptions to measures implementing the provisions of paragraphs 5, 6,

and 7.  The obligations set forth in paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 are without prejudice to the

rights, limitations, exceptions, or defences to  copyright or related  rights infringement

under a Party’s law.

In implementing paragraphs 5 and 6, no Party shall be obligated to require that the design of, or the

design and selection of parts and components for, a  consumer electronics, telecommunications, or

computing product provide for a response to any particular technological measure, so long as the product

does not otherwise contravene its measures implementing these paragraphs.

For the purposes of this Article, rights management information means:

(a) information that identifies the work, the performance, or the phonogram; the author of the work,

the performer of the performance, or the producer of the phonogram; or the owner of any right in

the work, performance, or phonogram;

(b) information about the terms and conditions of use of the work, performance, or phonogram; or

(c) any numbers or codes that represent the information described in (a) and (b) above;

when any of these items of information is attached  to a copy of a work, performance, or phonogram, or

appears in connection with the communication or making available of a work, performance, or

phonogram to the public.

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CHAPTER III

ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES

ARTICLE 28:  ENFORCEMENT EXPERTISE, INFORMATION, AND DOMESTIC COORDINATION

1. Each Party shall encourage the development of specialized expertise within its

competent authorities responsible for the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

2. Each Party shall promote the collection and analysis of statistical data and other

relevant information concerning intellectual property rights infringements as well as the

collection of information on best practices to prevent and combat infringements.

3. Each Party shall, as appropriate, promote internal coordination among, and

facilitate joint actions by, its competent authorities responsible for the enforcement of

intellectual property rights.

4. Each Party shall endeavour to promote, where appropriate, the establishment and

maintenance of formal or informal mechanisms, such as advisory groups, whereby its

competent authorities may receive the views of right holders and other relevant

stakeholders.

ARTICLE 29:  MANAGEMENT OF RISK AT BORDER

1.  In order to enhance the effectiveness of border enforcement of intellectual

property rights, the competent authorities of a Party may:

(a)  consult with the relevant stakeholders, and the competent authorities of

other Parties responsible for the enforcement of intellectual property

rights to identify and address significant risks, and promote actions to

mitigate those risks; and

(b)  share information with the competent authorities of other Parties on

border enforcement of intellectual property rights, including relevant

information to better identify and target for inspection shipments

suspected of containing infringing goods.

2.  Where a Party seizes imported goods infringing an intellectual property right, its competent authorities may provide the Party of export with information necessary for identification of the parties and goods involved in the exportation of the seized goods.

The competent authorities of the Party of export may take action against those parties

and future shipments in accordance with that Party’s law.

ARTICLE 30:  TRANSPARENCY

To promote transparency in the administration of its intellectual property rights

enforcement system, each Party shall take appropriate measures, pursuant to its law and

policies, to publish or otherwise make available to the public information on:

(a)  procedures available under its law  for enforcing intellectual property rights, its competent authorities responsible for such enforcement, and contact points available for assistance;

(b) relevant laws, regulations, final  judicial decisions, and administrative rulings of general application pertaining to the enforcement of intellectual property rights; and

(c) its efforts to ensure an effective system of enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights.

ARTICLE 31:  PUBLIC AWARENESS

Each Party shall, as appropriate, promote the adoption of measures to enhance

public awareness of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and the

detrimental effects of intellectual property rights infringement.

ARTICLE 32:  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN DESTRUCTION OF INFRINGING GOODS

The destruction of goods infringing intellectual property rights shall be done

consistently with the  laws and regulations on environmental matters  of the Party in

which the destruction takes place

CHAPTER IV

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

ARTICLE 33:  INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

1. Each Party recognizes that international cooperation is vital to realizing effective

protection of intellectual property rights and that it should be encouraged regardless of

the origin of the goods  infringing intellectual property rights, or the location or

nationality of the right holder.

2. In order to combat intellectual property rights infringement, in particular

trademark counterfeiting and copyright or related rights piracy, the Parties shall promote

cooperation, where appropriate, among their competent authorities responsible for the

enforcement of intellectual property rights.  Such cooperation may include law

enforcement cooperation with  respect to criminal enforcement and border measures

covered by this Agreement.

3. Cooperation under this Chapter shall be  conducted consistent with relevant

international agreements, and subject to the laws, policies, resource allocation, and law

enforcement priorities of each Party.

ARTICLE 34: INFORMATION SHARING

Without prejudice to the provisions of  Article 29 (Management of Risk at

Border), each Party shall endeavour to exchange with other Parties:

(a)  information the Party collects  under  the provisions of Chapter III

(Enforcement Practices), including statistical data and information on

best practices;

(b)  information on its legislative and regulatory measures related to the

protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights; and

(c)  other information as appropriate and mutually agreed.

ARTICLE 35:  CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

1.  Each Party shall endeavour to provide, upon request and on mutually agreed

terms and conditions, assistance in capacity building and technical assistance in

improving the enforcement of intellectual property rights to other Parties to this

Agreement and, where appropriate, to prospective Parties.  The capacity building and

technical assistance may cover such areas as:

(a)  enhancement of public awareness on intellectual property rights;

(b)  development and implementation of national legislation related to the

enforcement of intellectual property rights;

(c)  training of officials on the enforcement of intellectual property rights; and

(d)  coordinated operations conducted at the regional and multilateral levels.

2.  Each Party shall endeavour to work  closely with other Parties and, where

appropriate, non-Parties to this Agreement  for the purpose of implementing the

provisions of paragraph 1.

3.  A Party may undertake the activities described in this Article in conjunction with

relevant private sector or international organizations.  Each Party shall strive to avoid

unnecessary duplication between the activities described in this Article and other

international cooperation activities.

CHAPTER V

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

ARTICLE 36:  THE ACTA COMMITTEE

1.  The Parties hereby establish the ACTA Committee.  Each Party shall be

represented on the Committee.

2. The Committee shall:

(a)  review the implementation and operation of this Agreement;

(b)  consider matters concerning the development of this Agreement;

(c)  consider any proposed amendments to this Agreement in accordance with

Article 42 (Amendments);

(d)  decide, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 43 (Accession), upon

the terms of accession to this Agreement of any Member of the WTO;

and

(e)  consider any other matter that may affect the implementation and

operation of this Agreement.

3. The Committee may decide to:

(a)  establish ad hoc committees or working groups to assist the Committee in carrying out its responsibilities  under paragraph 2, or to assist a prospective Party upon its request in acceding to this Agreement in accordance with Article 43 (Accession);

(b)  seek the advice of non-governmental persons or groups;

(c)  make recommendations regarding the implementation and operation of this Agreement, including by endorsing best practice guidelines related thereto;

(d)  share information and best practices with third parties on reducing intellectual property rights infringements, including techniques for identifying and monitoring piracy and counterfeiting; and

(e)  take other actions in the exercise of its functions.

4. All decisions of the Committee shall be taken by consensus, except as the

Committee may otherwise decide by consensus.  The Committee shall be deemed to have acted by consensus on a matter submitted for its consideration, if no Party present at the meeting when the decision is taken formally objects to the proposed decision.

English shall be the working language of the Committee and the documents supporting

its work shall be in the English language.

5.  The Committee shall adopt its rules and procedures within a reasonable period

after the entry into force of this Agreement, and shall invite those Signatories not Parties

to this Agreement to participate in the Committee’s deliberations on those rules and

procedures.  The rules and procedures:

(a) shall address such matters as  chairing and hosting meetings, and the

performance of organizational duties relevant to this Agreement and its

operation; and

(b) may also address such matters as granting observer status, and any other

matter the Committee decides necessary for its proper operation.

6. The Committee may amend the rules and procedures.

7. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 4, during the first five years

following the entry into force of this Agreement, the Committee’s decisions to adopt or

amend the rules and procedures shall be taken by consensus of the Parties and those

Signatories not Parties to this Agreement.

8. After the period specified in paragraph 7, the Committee may adopt or amend

the rules and procedures upon the consensus of the Parties to this Agreement.

9. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 8, the Committee may decide that

the adoption or amendment of a particular  rule or procedure requires the consensus of

the Parties and those Signatories not Parties to this Agreement.

10. The Committee shall convene at least once every year unless the Committee

decides otherwise.  The first meeting of the Committee shall be held within a reasonable

period after the entry into force of this Agreement.

11. For greater certainty, the Committee shall not oversee or supervise domestic or

international enforcement or criminal investigations of specific intellectual property

cases.

12. The Committee shall strive to avoid unnecessary  duplication between its

activities and other international efforts regarding the enforcement of intellectual

property rights.

ARTICLE 37: CONTACT POINt

1. Each Party shall designate a contact point to facilitate communications between

the Parties on any matter covered by this Agreement.

2.  On the request of another Party, a Party’s contact point shall identify an

appropriate office or official to whom the requesting Party’s inquiry may be addressed,

and assist, as necessary, in facilitating communications between the office or official

concerned and the requesting Party.

ARTICLE 38:  CONSULTATIONS

1.  A Party may request in writing consultations with another Party with respect to

any matter affecting the implementation of this Agreement.  The requested Party shall

accord sympathetic consideration to such  a request, provide a response, and afford

adequate opportunity to consult.

2. The consultations, including particular positions taken by  consulting Parties,

shall be kept confidential and be without prejudice to the rights or positions of either

Party in any other proceeding, including  a proceeding under the auspices of the

Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes

contained in Annex 2 to the WTO Agreement.

3. The consulting Parties may, by mutual  consent, notify the Committee of the

result of their consultations under this Article

CHAPTER VI

FINAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 39:  SIGNATURE

This Agreement shall remain open for signature by participants in its

negotiation,and by any other WTO Members the participants may agree to by

consensus, from 31 March 2011 until 31 March 2013.

ARTICLE 40:  ENTRY INTO FORCE

1. This Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the date of deposit of the

sixth instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval as between those Signatories

that have deposited their respective instruments of ratification, acceptance, or approval.

2.  This Agreement shall enter into force for each Signatory that deposits its

instrument of ratification, acceptance, or  approval after the deposit of the sixth

instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval, thirty days after the date of deposit

by such Signatory of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval.

ARTICLE 41:  WITHDRAWAL

A Party may withdraw from this Agreement by means of a written notification

to the Depositary.  The withdrawal shall take  effect 180 days after the Depositary

receives the notification.

ARTICLE 42: AMENDMENTS

1. A Party may propose amendments to this Agreement to the Committee.  The

Committee shall decide whether to present  a proposed amendment to the Parties for

17

Australia, the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Republic of Bulgaria, Canada, the

Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Estonia, the

European Union, the Republic of Finland, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the

Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Hungary, Ireland, the Italian Republic, Japan, the Republic of Korea,

the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Republic of

Malta, the United Mexican States, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New

Zealand, the Republic of Poland, the Portuguese Republic, Romania, the Republic of Singapore, the

Slovak Republic, the Republic of Slovenia, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Swiss

Confederation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of

America. Rratification, acceptance, or approval.

2. Any amendment shall enter into force ninety days after the date that all the

Parties have deposited their respective instruments of ratification, acceptance, or

approval with the Depositary.

ARTICLE 43:  ACCESSION

1.  After the expiration of the period provided in Article 39 (Signature), any

Member of the WTO may apply to accede to this Agreement.

2.  The Committee shall decide upon the terms of accession for each applicant.

3.  This Agreement shall enter into force for the applicant thirty days after the date

of deposit of its instrument of accession based upon the terms of accession referred to in

paragraph 2.

ARTICLE 44:  TEXTS OF THE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be signed in a single original in the English, French, and

Spanish languages, each version being equally authentic.

ARTICLE 45: DEPOSITARY

The Government of Japan shall be the Depositary of this Agreement.”