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  • Intellectual property framework

    Overview

    Intellectual property is a right protected by the Constitution of the Republic of Angola. The fundamental intellectual property framework in Angola is provided in 2 main acts: the Legal Regime for the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights and the Industrial Property Law.

  • Commercial contract framework

    Overview

    Angolan law lays down a general principle of contractual freedom, which means that parties are mostly free to establish the terms and conditions to be observed by the contracts they enter into (exceptions are made to mandatory rules legally imposed which will depend on the specific contractual relationship) and are entitled to enter into contracts provided for in the law, but also into contracts that are not provided for in the law.

    Angolan law does not establish a unitary act or set of rules applicable to all commercial contracts. Depending on the specific contractual relationship, commercial contracts may be subject to the provisions of the Civil Code, Commercial Code, Copyright and Related Rights Law, and the Industrial Property Law as well as other specific legislation.

    The aforementioned set of rules changes according to the specific contract in question.

  • Copyrights

    Nature of right

    Copyright covers original literary, scientific and artistic intellectual creations, or works. Registration is not required for the acquisition or maintenance of copyright rights; however, there are certain specific copyright-related acts subject to registration in order to be valid.

    In Angola, copyright comprises economic and moral rights.

    In the scope of economic rights, copyright owners have the exclusive right to use, enjoy and dispose of their work, or to authorize the use of the work, wholly or in part, by third parties.

    Moral rights consist in the right to claim authorship of the work, as well as the right to ensure its genuineness and integrity.

    Legal framework

    Copyrights are governed by Law No. 15/14 of July 31, which introduced the Legal Regime for the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights.

    Duration of right

    As general rule, moral copyrights are unlimited in time and, therefore, are inalienable and imprescriptible. With respect to economic copyrights, copyright protection lasts for a term of 70 years, counted as of January 1 of the first year after the death of the author, as well as through the life of the author.

    In the case of works in collaboration, copyright expires 70 years after the death of the last surviving author. As per collective works or works originally assigned to a corporate person, copyright expires 70 years from the date of the first licit publication or disclosure, except if the individuals who create it were identified in the version of the work available to the public.

    For an anonymous work, or work that was legally published or disclosed without identifying the respective author, protection is for 70 years after publication or disclosure.

    Please note that, with respect to applied arts and photographic works, economic copyrights protection lasts for a term of 45 years, counted as of January 1 of the first year after the death of the author.

    Economic copyrights related to a broadcaster last up to 35th calendar year after the broadcast.

    Ownership / licenses

    Moral rights are inalienable.

    The copyright owner, as well as their successors or assignees, may authorize the use of the work by third parties or assign economic rights, wholly or partially.

    Granting an authorization to third parties in order for them to divulge, publish, use or explore the work does not imply the transfer of copyright rights.

    Authorization shall only be granted in writing, mandatorily including the parties involved, the title and type of the work, the rights concerned, the duration, place and price conditions.

    Please note that the assigns are only effective against third parties when registered.

    Remedies for infringement

    The copyright owner may request payment of compensation by the agent for damages and losses to repair the damage suffered as a result the infringement, as well as payment of expenses caused by that infringement, which may include legal expenses.

    The amount of the compensation is determined in accordance with the civil liability regime provided for by the Angolan Civil Code, taking into account the amount of material and moral damage suffered by the copyright owner, as well as the profit obtained by the offender.

    When it is proven that the infringing copies affect a right, the Court may order, ensuring that the penalty is proportionate to the seriousness of the offense and taking into account the legitimate interests of third parties, the destruction of those copies and their packaging or their elimination of trade channels by any other reasonable means, without compensation of any kind, in order to avoid any damage to the copyright owner.

  • Mask works / topographies

    Nature of right

    Mask works and topographies are not separately protected under Angolan law. They may be protected under patent law or by way of confidentiality.

    Legal framework

    Angolan has enacted no specific rules on protection of mask works or topographies. Although Angola is part of the WTO and has approved the TRIPS Agreement, it has not yet implemented any rules on mask works or topographies protection.

    Semiconductor technology, generally, and topographies, in particular, may be protected under the traditional intellectual property rules applicable to all types of technology, particularly patent law and the rules on confidential information. Therefore, matters such as the duration of the relevant rights, ownership and remedies depend on the type of protection used in connection with each specific mask work or topography.

    Duration of right

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Ownership / licenses

     Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Remedies for infringement

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

  • Patents

    Nature of right

    Patent rights cover new inventions, in all fields of technology, provided that they are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible of industrial application.

    An invention shall be considered new if it does not form part of the state of the art, which comprises everything, inside or outside the country, made available to the public by means of a written or oral description, by use, or in any other way, before the date of filling of the patent application.

    An invention shall be considered involving an inventive step if it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art.

    An invention shall be considered susceptible of industrial application if it can be made or used in any kind of industry, including agriculture, fishing and handicraft.

    A national patent confers on its owner the exclusive right to exploit the patented invention in Angolan territory.

    Legal framework

    Patents are governed by the following:

    • Chapter II, the Industrial Property Law (Articles 2 to 14)
    • Membership of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), approved by Resolution No. 9/84 of July 20
    • Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property – approved by Resolution No. 22/05 of August 19
    • Cooperation Treaty patent (PCT) approved by Resolution No. 22/05 of August 19 and
    • Membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO), hence the TRIPS Agreement (Accession November 23, 1996).

    Duration of right

    Patent protection is granted up to a maximum period of 15 years from the date of filling of the patent application.

    Ownership / licenses

    Patents can be transferred in writing, by means of public deed, whether or not for financial reward.

    Patents may also be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

    Transfer of ownership and licenses shall be recorded in the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against third parties.

    Remedies for infringement

    Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including patent rights, the court may, at request of the interested party, order the appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

    Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence shall be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for damages resulting from the violation.

    In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court shall take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne out of protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct shall also be taken in consideration, as well as personal injury.

    Infringement of the exclusive right granted by a patent may be also punishable as crime with imprisonment up to 6 months or a fine.

  • Trademarks

    Nature of right

    A trademark is a sign that distinguishes a company's goods or services, from the goods and services provided by other companies. There are 3 types of trademarks, namely:

    • Nominative: when constituted by letter(s) or word(s)
    • Figurative: consisting of figures or images and
    • Mixed: when it includes a combination of figures and words or letters in its constitution.

    The registered trademark confers to the owner, the right to prevent third parties that do not have their consent from using in the course of trade any sign which is identical or similar to the trademark in relation to goods and/or services which are identical or similar to those for which the trademark is registered.

    Legal framework

    Trademarks are governed by the following:

    • Chapter II, the Industrial Property Law (Articles 29 to 40)
    • Membership of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), approved by Resolution No. 9/84 of July 20
    • Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property – approved by Resolution No. 22/05 of August 19 and
    • Membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO), hence the TRIPS Agreement (Accession November 23, 1996).

    Angola is not a party to either the Madrid Agreement or the Madrid Protocol. As such, International Registrations (IRs) cannot be extended to Angola. Angola's accession to the Madrid Agreement and/or the Madrid Protocol is currently the subject of consultation, but the position is unlikely to change for a number of years to come.

    Duration of right

    National trademark registrations remain valid for 10 years starting from the date of filing of the application and may be indefinitely renewed for equal periods.

    Ownership / licenses

    Trademarks can be transferred in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward. A transfer of the whole of the undertaking shall include the transfer of the trademark except where there is agreement to the contrary or circumstances clearly dictate otherwise.

    Trademarks may also be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

    Transfer of ownership and licenses must be recorded in the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against third parties.

    Remedies for infringement

    Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including trademarks, the court may, at request of the interested party, order appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

    Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence shall be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for the damages resulting from the violation.

    In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court shall take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne out of protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct shall also be taken in consideration, as well as personal injury.

    Trademark infringement is punishable as crime with imprisonment up to 3 months or a fine.

  • Trade secrets

    Nature of right

    Trade secrets are not protected as property in Angola. However, the Angolan Industrial Property Law, in the chapter related to Crimes of Unfair Competition, characterizes as crimes certain conducts involving the unauthorized use of trade secrets. As a result, there is legal protection against the violation of trade secrets.

    Legal framework

    Trade secrets are addressed in article 73 of the Angolan Industrial Property Law.

    Duration of right

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Ownership / licenses

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Remedies for infringement

    Remedies available for infringement of trade secrets can include criminal remedies (imprisonment and monetary fine) and civil remedies (injunction to prevent the continuation of infringements and damages).

    Trade secret violation is punishable with a fine, if a more serious sanction does not apply by applying the provisions of the penal code and Law No. 9/89 (Law on Crimes Against the Economy).

  • Other key IP rights

    Nature of right

    Design

    Industrial design means any new arrangement or set of lines or colors that, for industrial or commercial purposes, can be applied to the ornamentation of a product by any manual, mechanical, chemical, simple or combined process.

    The registered design confers to the owner the right to prevent third parties that do not have their consent from using it. The aforementioned use shall cover, in particular, the making, offering, putting on the market, importing, exporting or using of a product in which the design is incorporated or to which it is applied, or stocking such a product for those purposes.

    Industrial designs

    Industrial designs

    Legal framework

    Design

    Designs are governed by Chapter III of the Industrial Property Law (Articles 15 to 28).

    Duration of right

    Design

    Designs registrations remain valid for 5 years starting from the date of filing of the application and may be renewed for 2 consecutive times of 5 years each.

    Ownership / licenses

    Design

    Designs may be licensed in writing, wholly or partially, whether or not for financial reward, on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis.

    Transfer of ownership and licenses must be recorded in the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property to be effective against third parties.

    Remedies for infringement

    Design

    Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including designs, the court may, at request of the interested party, order appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

    Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence shall be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for the damages resulting from the violation.

    In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court shall take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne out of protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct shall also be taken in consideration, as well as personal injury.

    Infringement of the exclusive right granted by a registered design may be punishable with a fine.

  • Intellectual property in employment context

    Employees

    As a general rule, the copyright over a work made under a labor agreement or in compliance with functional obligations is determined by agreement between the parties. In case no agreement exists, it is presumed that the ownership over the work belongs to the respective intellectual creator. In cases where there is a service provision contract, the property rights over the work are transferred to the contractor or entity represented by it.

    The right to patent shall belong to the inventor or their successors in title. Notwithstanding, if an invention was made during the performance of an employment contract in which inventive activity is provided for, the right to the patent belongs to the employer.

    Consultants / contractors

    In principle, consultants and contractors will retain ownership of the intellectual property developed by them, unless otherwise agreed by the parties or provided for in the law.

  • Key commercial contract considerations

    Registration of commercial agreements

    There are no general registration requirements for commercial contracts under Angolan law; however, certain exceptions may arise. Furthermore, Industrial Property Rights licenses are subject to registration within the Angolan Industrial Property Institute (IAPI) in order to be enforceable against third parties.

    Recognized language of commercial agreements

    There are no general requirements under Angolan law that provide that contracts must be written in Portuguese. However, in certain cases – for instance, contracts with consumers – the Portuguese language is mandatory, and, if the contract is to be used in specific situations – for example, for purposes of evidence in court or used with public authorities – translation to Portuguese is required.

    Country-specific issues for online content

    Electronic contracts are regulated under Presidential Decree No. 202/11 of July 22.

    Enforceability of online/clickwrap/shrinkwrap terms

    Contracts may be concluded electronically, provided that it does not affect its validity or effectiveness due to the use of this medium. Please note that general contractual clauses requiring electronic conclusion of consumer contracts are prohibited.

    The provider shall make available to the recipients, before the conclusion, unambiguous minimum information including (i) the contract conclusion process, (ii) whether or not the contract is stored by the service provider and accessibility by the recipient, (iii) the language or languages in which the contract may be concluded, (iv) the technical means which the provider makes available so that errors of introduction which may be contained in the order form may be identified and corrected, (v) the contractual terms and general clauses of the contract to be concluded, (vi) the codes of conduct subscribed and information on how to consult them electronically  and (vii) the effective technical means which allows the recipient to identify and correct inserted errors.

    Governing law

    The interpretation and enforceability of contracts is a matter of governing law. The choice of law by the parties is accepted as a general principle, except when otherwise provided for by law; please, however, note that, in certain cases, there are rules of mandatory application – for instance, in the scope of contracts concluded with consumers.

  • Key commercial contract terms

    Enforceability of warranty disclaimers

    This will depend on the specific warranty. Notwithstanding, the law may provide some restrictions on the enforceability of warranty disclaimers (eg, for reasons of consumer protection).

    Enforceability of exclusions/limitations of liability indemnification

    As general rule, the enforceability of exclusions or limitation of liability is limited under Angolan law. According to civil law, limitation of liability or exclusion of liability concerns the grounds of liability itself and the damages and losses. The law is not absolutely clear when dealing with the matter; therefore, some hold the opinion that the law does not prevent clauses limiting or excluding liability for acts of mere negligence, while others suggest that all clauses of exclusion or limitation are completely null and void.

    Indemnification

    Indemnification clauses in contracts are, in principle, enforceable, but may be subject to restrictions provided for in the law. It is relatively common to stipulate in commercial agreements that the indemnifying party will indemnify and hold harmless the other party against claims of third parties related to the subject matter of the agreement.

    Electronic signatures

    According to Angolan law, a qualified electronic signature is equivalent to an autographic signature in paper documents. An electronic document shall only be deemed to be signed for purposes of evidence where it meets the requirements set by the law on electronic signature and certification.

  • Key contacts
    Murillo Costa Sanches
    Murillo Costa Sanches
    Of Counsel DLA Piper [email protected] T +351 213 583 659 View bio
    Joni Garcia
    Joni Garcia
    Associate DLA Piper ADCA Angola [email protected] T +244 926 612 525

Other key IP rights

Remedies for infringement

Angola

Design

Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including designs, the court may, at request of the interested party, order appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence shall be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for the damages resulting from the violation.

In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court shall take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne out of protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct shall also be taken in consideration, as well as personal injury.

Infringement of the exclusive right granted by a registered design may be punishable with a fine.

Argentina

Industrial designs

Civil and criminal law remedies are applicable in case of infringement. Civil remedies include the compensation of damages and termination of the violation.

Preliminary injunctions and remedies are possible in accordance with general procedural rules.

Criminal sanctions have been recently reinforced, but they are rarely applied.

Australia

Not applicable.

Austria

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Belgium

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Brazil

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Canada

Industrial designs

An industrial design owner has the exclusive right to exclude others from making, selling or importing articles embodying the description claimed by an industrial design registration. As such, an industrial design registration can be enforced when others copy or substantially copy the design.

Damages (or, alternatively, the profits of the infringer), an injunction, disposal of the infringing products and punitive damages are available under the statute.

The Industrial Design Act states that only an injunction can be awarded against an industrial design infringer that was not aware, and had no reasonable grounds to suspect, that the infringed design was registered. This defense cannot be raised by the infringer in instances where an industrial design marking (ie, “Ⓓ”) and the name of the proprietor of the design are marked on the articles featuring the design or the packaging associated with those articles.

Chile

The holder can require the cessation of acts that violate the industrial design and industrial drawing, claim damages, the implementation of necessary measures to prevent the infringement from continuing and the publication of the judgment at the expense of the convicted person, through advertisements in a newspaper of the rights holder's choice.

With regards to criminal actions, the law provides for fines from UTM25 to UTM1,000 (approximately USD1,750 to USD70,000).

China

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Colombia

Industrial designs

The designer or owner of an industrial design may claim the protection of its right with the Colombian ordinary jurisdiction. The judge must request an opinion on the case from the Andean Court of Jurisdiction of the CAN prior to the taking of the decision and shall apply and consider the opinion of the Andean judge in the decision.

Furthermore, industrial designs are protected by the criminal law. For this reason, infringements may be investigated by the general prosecutor and penalized by the criminal courts with fines of up to 1,500 minimum monthly wages (approximately USD378,560.08) and prison sentences between 4 and 8 years.

Czech Republic

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Denmark

Designs

Interim injunctions may be granted.

It is possible to obtain a court order for destruction, withdrawal, removal, handover or modification of infringing products. 

An equitable remuneration may be granted for the unauthorized use of the design, and further damages may be granted if the design owner can prove a loss due to less quantities sold, market disturbance or other relevant loss caused by the infringement.

Compensation for non-economic damages may be awarded.

A fine or imprisonment may be ordered by the court in cases of bad-faith intent or gross negligence under more severe circumstances.

Finland

Not applicable.

France

Registered designs

A design infringement lawsuit may be brought by the recorded owner of the registered design whose rights have been infringed, or by the exclusive licensee duly recorded with the INPI, before either the criminal or civil courts.

Since 2019, such infringement action must be brought within 5 years of the acts concerned, provided such action is not subject to any other statutes of limitations.

The unauthorized use of a registered design constitutes infringement.

In assessing infringement, the French courts take into account the overall visual impression that the design created for the informed observer, setting aside insignificant differences.

French courts take the following into consideration when determining the amount of compensatory damages to award:

  • The negative or detrimental economic consequences of infringement, including lost gains and losses suffered by the rights holder.

  • The moral harm suffered by the rights holder.

  • The profits earned by the infringer, including intellectual, tangible and promotional investments saved or not incurred by the infringer.

As for patents and trademarks, as an alternative and on request of the registered design owner, the court may set the damages as a lump sum. The lump sum must be greater than the royalties that would have been owed if the infringer had sought a license. This amount is not exclusive of compensation for moral harm caused to the registered design owner.

Before the criminal courts, an infringer faces a fine of up to EUR300,000 (or EUR750,000 in certain circumstances) and imprisonment for up to 3 years (7 years in certain circumstances).

Databases

For copyright-grounded remedies, see the "Copyrights" section.

Under the sui generis protection, the database producer may prevent extraction and/or re-utilization of the whole or of a substantial part of the database, evaluated qualitatively and/or quantitatively, of the content of that database. The database producer may also prevent repeated and systematic extraction or re-utilization of non-substantial parts of the database, when such operations exceed the normal conditions of use of the database.

Before the criminal court, an infringer faces a fine of up to EUR300,000 (or EUR750,000 in certain circumstances) and imprisonment for up to 3 years (7 years in certain circumstances).

Germany

Different remedies are available, but the most commonly sought remedies are injunctions for cease-and-desist and claims for damages. Damages may be calculated as adequate license fees, infringer's profits or lost profits of the rights holder. In order to calculate damages, the rights holder can ask for a rendering of accounts.

The rights holder may make a claim for recall and destruction of infringing products. Customs seizure is available to stop import into German or European territory based on the type of design.

Costs for legal prosecution (ie, court fees and attorney fees) are recoverable up to a certain amount established by statutory German law.

Hong Kong, SAR

The registered owner of the design enjoys an exclusive right to the design in relation to the article for which the design is registered. If a 3rd party used the design in the course of business in Hong Kong in relation to the same or similar articles without the consent of the registered owner, the 3rd party would be liable for infringement.

Available remedies include damages, an injunction, order for delivery up or disposal, an account of profits or other relief available to the plaintiff as is available in proceedings in respect of the infringement of other proprietary rights.

However, there are general restrictions on the recovery of damages or profits. The court shall not award damages or make an order for an account of profits against the defendant if it is proven that they were not aware and had no reasonable grounds for believing that the design was registered at the date of the infringement.

Relief for groundless threats of infringement is available. Relief may be in the form of a declaration that the threats are unjustifiable, an injunction against the continuance of the threats or damages for any loss that has been sustained by the threats.

Hungary

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

India

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Indonesia

Industrial design

Compensation, injunction or a combination of the 2 may be ordered by the Commercial Court as remedies for infringement. Criminal sanctions are in the form of imprisonment and/or fine.

Ireland

Designs

The primary remedies available to a trademark owner in relation to infringement are:

  • Injunctive relief
  • Damages
  • An account of profits and/or
  • An order for seizure, forfeiture, destruction or delivery up of the infringing product

Israel

Designs

An infringement of rights under the Design Law constitutes a tort and the Torts Ordinance [New Version] shall apply to it, subject to the specific provisions of the Design Law. Remedies include injunctions, monetary awards, statutory damages and the seizure and disposal of infringing materials.

With respect to monetary awards, 2 main routes are available: (i) actual damages and recovery of profits gained by the infringer, or (ii) statutory damages at the claimant’s request; the court may award statutory damages without proof of injury for each infringement in an amount not to exceed ILS100,000 (approximately US$27,500).

In case of design rights infringement, the claimant is presumptively entitled to injunctive relief, unless the court finds grounds that justify not ordering such relief.

Italy

Any person with reason to fear for the infringement of rights belonging to them, or who seeks to prevent the continuation or repetition of an infringement which has already occurred, may commence legal proceedings to ensure that their right is recognized and the infringement is put to an end. In such circumstances, the right holder will be entitled to remedies, such as injunctions and damages.

Injunctions can be granted also as preliminary measures, by way of a summary proceedings, which could stop the infringement within a very short time, and also ex parte. The court may also order the seizure of the products and of all matters related to the infringement.

Criminal sanctions may apply under certain circumstances.

Japan

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Luxembourg

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Mexico

Not applicable.

Netherlands

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

New Zealand

Design

The remedies available for infringement include damages, an accounting of profits and injunction. However, in the case of innocent infringement, neither damages or accounting of profits is available.

Criminal penalties are also possible in certain circumstances.

Nigeria

Infringements occur where there is unauthorized use of an industrial design in a manner consistent with the rights vested upon the licensed owner. Actions for infringement have the following reliefs at law:

  • Damages
  • Injunctions
  • Delivery up of infringing products
  • Account of profits

Norway

Design

The remedies for design infringement include equitable and reasonable compensation for the use and compensation for losses and further injuries caused by negligent or willful infringement. The court may also order that products or materials infringing the design can be recalled from stores, delivered to the design owner or destroyed.

Injunctive relief and criminal penalties are also possible remedies.

Peru

Not applicable.

Philippines

Not applicable in this jurisdiction.

Poland

Polish law provides remedies for the right-holders of industrial designs to combat infringements, eg, they may demand (i) the cessation of the infringement, (ii) compensation for damage incurred (also by paying a lump sum equal to a license fee), and (iii) the return of unfairly gained profits. Furthermore, under Polish law, it is possible to pursue claims to prohibit actions constituting a threat of infringement of a registered design. The holder of the right to an industrial design may also seek a preliminary injunction before initiating the main proceedings, under which, for example, the infringing actions – such as manufacturing, offering and selling the infringing products – must be ceased and the infringing goods seized and held for the duration of the main infringement proceedings before the court. The possibility of filing a request against an infringer to disclose certain information and evidence (before or during the main proceedings) is also available (please see preceding sections, eg, on patents or trademarks). The same rules as in patent infringement cases apply with regard to the court order concerning the costs of the proceedings.

Portugal

Logos

Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including logos, or a trade secret right the court may, at request of the interested party, order appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

Whoever illegally violates the industrial property rights or trade secret rights of another person with intent or by negligence will be obliged to pay a compensation to the injured party for the damages resulting from the violation.

In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court will take into account the profit obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne with the protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct, as well as personal injury, will also be taken in consideration.

If it is impossible to quantify the losses effectively suffered by the injured party, the court may – provided this is not opposed by the injured party – alternatively define a fixed amount with recourse to equity that is based, as a minimum value, on the remuneration that the injured party would have received if the infringer had requested authorization to use the industrial property rights in question and the costs borne with the protection of the industrial property right and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct.

Improper using of a logo is punishable as crime with imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine.

Designs or Models

Whenever there is violation of or justified fear that another party may cause serious and difficult-to-repair harm to an industrial property right, including designs or models rights, the court may, at request of the interested party, order appropriate measures to prevent any imminent violation or to prohibit continuation of the violation.

Whoever violates the industrial property rights of another person with intent or by negligence will be obliged to pay compensation to the injured party for the damages resulting from the violation.

In determining the amount of compensation for losses and damages, the court will take into account the profit

obtained by the infringer and the resulting damages and lost profits suffered by the injured party. The costs borne with the protection of the right in question and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct, as well as any personal injury, will also be taken in consideration.

If it is impossible to quantify the losses effectively suffered by the injured party, the court may – provided this is not opposed by the injured party – alternatively define a fixed amount with recourse to equity that is based, as a minimum value, on the remuneration that the injured party would have received if the infringer had requested authorization to use the industrial property rights in question and the costs borne with the protection of the industrial property right and the investigation and termination of the harmful conduct.

Design or model violation or undue use may also be criminally punished with imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine.

Romania

Damages may include actual damages or loss of profit resulting from the infringement. Industrial design infringement is considered a criminal offense punishable in certain conditions with imprisonment.

Costs and reasonable attorneys' fees are recoverable.

Injunctive relief is also an available remedy. The owner of the industrial design may file a request for intervention with the Romanian customs authorities in order to prevent importation of counterfeit products.

Russia

Not applicable.

Saudi Arabia

Not applicable.

Singapore

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Slovak Republic

Utility models

In the case of an unauthorized interference with the rights, the owner of a utility model is entitled mainly to seek prohibition of unlawful interference of the rights or threats to the rights and removal of the consequences of such interference. If, due to such interference with the owner's rights, any damage has been caused, the owner shall have the right to damages including loss of profits. If non-pecuniary damage has occurred, the owner has the right to reasonable compensation, including financial compensation. Right to unjust enrichment is not affected. Pursuant to the Civil Code, in the case of a threat or a breach of an intellectual property right which may be the object of a license agreement (such as a utility model), the amount of damages shall be at least equal to the remuneration for a license granted at the time of the unauthorized interference with the right.

In addition, criminal sanctions pursuant to the Criminal Code shall apply.

Designs

In the case of an unauthorized interference with the rights, the owner of a design is entitled mainly to seek prohibition of unlawful interference of the rights or threats to the rights and removal of the consequences of such interference. If, due to such interference with the owner's rights, any damage has been caused, the owner shall have the right to damages including loss of profits. If non-pecuniary damage has occurred, the owner has the right to reasonable compensation, including financial compensation. Right to unjust enrichment is not affected.

Pursuant to the Civil Code, in the case of a threat or a breach of an intellectual property right which may be the object of a license agreement (such as design), the amount of damages shall be at least equal to the remuneration for a license granted at the time of the unauthorized interference with the right.

In addition, criminal sanctions pursuant to the Criminal Code shall apply.

South Korea

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Spain

Not applicable.

Sweden

Not applicable.

Switzerland

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Taiwan, China

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Ukraine

Industrial designs

The owner of rights to industrial designs or authorized person (eg, licensee) may seek the following remedies under Ukrainian law:

  • Termination of infringement
  • Cancellation of infringing patent to industrial design
  • Reimbursement of damages, including loss of profit or payment of compensation. The amount of compensation shall be determined by the court, taking into account the extent of the infringement, the fault of the infringer and other relevant circumstances. The amount of compensation shall not be less than the amount that would have been paid for granting permission to use the rights to the trademark in dispute. If the infringement of the rights was unintentional and without negligence, the amount of compensation shall be equal to the amount of remuneration that would have been paid for granting such permission.
  • Recognition of a right
  • Seizure of infringing goods
  • Prohibition of import and
  • Publication of the court decision on the case concerning IP rights infringement.

In addition, the Criminal Code of Ukraine dated April 5, 2001 provides for criminal liability for infringements of intellectual property right with regard to industrial designs.

United Arab Emirates

Not applicable.

United Kingdom

Passing off

Available remedies include injunctions (or interdicts in Scotland), damages or an account of profits, and delivery up, seizure or destruction or modification of packaging, products, marketing materials and similar.

Designs

The proprietor of a registered design may prevent any use of the design or any design which does not produce a different overall impression on the informed user (taking into account design freedom).  The registered proprietor or exclusive licensee of a registered design have the right to sue for infringement. Available remedies include injunctions (or interdicts in Scotland), damages or an account of profits, and delivery up, seizure or destruction of goods.

Unregistered design right is not a monopoly right and only gives the proprietor the right to prevent copying. However, if infringement is found, the same remedies are available as for registered designs.

There is an actionable right in the UK against those who make unjustified threats of design right infringement proceedings. Companies should therefore take care when writing to a 3rd party alleging infringement or use of a similar design.

United States

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.