WORLD TRADE IP/N/6/CAN/1
18February 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-0632)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
CHECKLIST OFISSUES ONENFORCEMENT1
Responses from Canada
Civil andAdministrative Procedures andRemedies
(a) Civiljudicial procedures andremedies
1. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overIPRinfringement cases.
Normally, IPRsareprotected bysuigeneris federal legislation, withtheresult thattheFederal
Court exercises aconcurrent jurisdiction withthesuperior court ofeachprovince forinfringement
cases(Federal Court Act,subs. 20(2); Patent Act,subs.54(1); Industrial Design Act,s.15.2; Integrated
Circuits (IC)Topography Act,subs. 8(1),s.23;Copyright Act,subs. 37(1); Trade-marks Act,s.55;
Plant Breeders 'Rights Act,subs. 42(1), 43(1)).
However, trade secrets areprotected through acombination ofequity andthelawofcontract
andtort,inthecommon lawprovinces, andbyArticles 1472, 1612 and2088 oftheCivil Code of
Quebec ,andthusfallwithin theprovincial jurisdiction as“property andcivilrights within theprovince ”.
Assuch, theFederal Court hasnojurisdiction, andmuch oftheprotection arises from thesuperior
court ineachprovince exercising itsinherent jurisdiction tofashion appropriate remedies.
2. Which persons havestanding toassert IPRs? How maytheyberepresented? Arethere
requirements formandatory personal appearances before thecourt bytheright holder?
Normally, theowner orexclusive licensee hasstanding tobring anaction forinfringement
ofanIPR. Onoccasion, anon-exclusive licensee mayalsobring suchanaction, provided thathe
orshealsojoinstherightowner, ifthecourt determines thatthematter cannot properly bedisposed
ofintheabsence ofthatrightowner.
Thus, s.55(1) ofthePatent Actallows anyperson “claiming under apatentee ”tosuefor
infringement. IntheSignalisation case,theFederal Court ofAppeal interpreted thistoinclude auser,
alicensee (including anon-exclusive one), anassignee, oralessee having atitleorrightwhich may
betraced backtothepatentee. Subsection 15(1) oftheIndustrial Design Actallows theproprietor
ofaregistered design, oranexclusive licensee, tobring anaction forinfringement. Subsection 8(1)
oftheICTopography Actpermits anowner ofaregistered topography oranylicensee tobring such
anaction. Section 36oftheCopyright Actallows theauthor orother owner ofanycopyright orof
theperformer ’sright“oranyperson orpersons deriving anyright, titleorinterest byassignment or
grant inwriting ”tobring anaction forinfringement andtoobtain anyremedies which maybeavailable
totheright-owner. ThePlant Breeders 'Rights Actprovides insubs. 45(1) that,inaddition tothe
1Document IP/C/5IP/N/6/CAN/1
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holder, aperson authorized todoanyactsreserved foraholder ofaplantbreeders 'rightoralicensee,
subject toanyagreement among theparties, where theholder refuses orneglects totakeproceedings,
mayinstitute proceedings intheperson 'sname withtheholder named asadefendant.
These principles alsoapply toactions forbreach oftradesecrecy obligations, although itwould
berarethatalicensee ofsuchsecrets would bring anaction.
Theguiding principle forstanding before thecourt isthattheperson seeking tobeadded as
aparty musthavean“interest ”inthematter. Thismeans thatthatperson mustbedirectly affected
bythecourt’sdecision inthematter. Accordingly, subs. 55(3) ofthePatent Actrequires thepatentee
tobeaparty toallinfringement proceedings. Subsection 15(2) oftheIndustrial Design Actrequires
theproprietor ofaregistered design tobemade aparty, andsubs. 8(2)oftheICTopography Act,
theowner ofaregistered topography. Section 50(3) oftheTrade-marks Actprovides that"[s]ubject
toanyagreement subsisting between anowner ofatrade-mark andalicensee ofthetrade-mark, the
licensee maycallontheowner totakeproceedings forinfringement thereof, and,iftheowner refuses
orneglects todosowithin twomonths afterbeing socalled on,thelicensee mayinstitute proceedings
forinfringement inthelicensee 'sownname asifthelicensee were theowner, making theowner a
defendant." TheQuebec Code ofCivilProcedure requires thatalllegalpersons (i.e., corporations)
berepresented bycounsel. Only individuals canrepresent themselves.
Bylongtradition, allparties before Canadian courts havetherighttoberepresented bycounsel,
although theymayalsorepresent themselves.
3. What authority dothejudicial authorities have toorder, attherequest ofanopposing
party, aparty toaproceeding toproduce evidence which lieswithin itscontrol?
Thesuperior courts haveabroad inherent authority tosettheirownprocedure. Thisprocedure-
making authority issupplemented bylocallegislation, e.g.,theFederal Court Act,theCourts ofJustice
ActofOntario, ortheJudicature Actofvarious provinces. Under suchlegislation, Rules ofCivil
Procedure areprepared (usually byarulescommittee) andsubsequently approved byorder-in-council.
Thesuperior court’sinherent authority, asexercised atthetimeofconfederation, hasbeenrecognized
inCanada ’sConstitution Act,1867. Itincludes abroad authority tofashion suchremedies asare
necessary toensure thatjustice isdone.
Where aparty failstoproduce evidence, thecourt would haveauthority tomake suchanorder
asitconsidered just,including, inthecaseofaplaintiff, dismissing theaction, andinthecaseofa
defendant, striking outthestatement ofdefence. Theprovincial rules ofprocedure usually require
parties tothelitigation toprovide anaffidavit orlistofdocuments andtomake thosedocuments available
totheopposing parties. Thecourt determines questions ofprivilege andcanorder compliance with
therules ofprocedure.
4. What means exist toidentify andprotect confidential information brought forward as
evidence?
Asmentioned, thesuperior courts haveabroad authority toimpose suchterms andgivesuch
directions asarejust,inorder tofacilitate theconduct ofanaction. Inpractice, theparty seeking
toprotect confidential information would apply tothecourt fordirections. Normally, ifthecourt
determined thattheconfidentiality ofthatinformation needed protecting, itwould order terms and
conditions foritsprotection.
Inanextraordinary case, thiscould include disclosure toanopposing party’scounsel, butnot
totheopposing party. Even absent specific confidentiality orders, information disclosed inthecourseIP/N/6/CAN/1
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oflitigation isstillsubject toanimplied undertaking tothecourt thattheinformation willnotbeused
foranypurpose other thanthelitigation.
5. Describetheremediesthatmaybeorderedbythejudicialauthoritiesandcriteria,legislative
orjurisprudential, fortheir use:
- injunctions;
Asmentioned,thesuperiorcourtshaveabroadcommonlawandequitablejurisdictiontofashion
theirownremedies,includinginjunctiverelief.Normally,injunctionsareorderedtopreventprospective
harm, anddamages areordered tocompensate forpastinjury. However, injunctions arefrequently
ordered where damages would provide aninadequate remedy, e.g.,where alossisincalculable, where
there isacontinuing wrong, orwhere thedefendant isinsolvent. Incases where thepotential damage
totheplaintiff isirreparable, thecourt maystillgrant orrefuse aninjunction, aftercomparing the
harm towhich bothparties would beputasaresult ofthegranting orwithholding oftherelief sought.
Inthecaseoftrade secrets, should aplaintiff succeed attrial, inproving theexistence ofan
obligation ofconfidentiality regarding trade secret information, thecourt would havejurisdiction to
prevent thedefendant fromunfairly orimproperly using thatinformation, e.g.,nottouseasecret recipe,
ornottosolicit anycustomers onaplaintiff ’scustomer list.
Paragraph 57(1)(a) ofthePatent Act,s.15.1oftheIndustrial Design Act,s.53(2) oftheTrade-
marks Act,s.34oftheCopyright Act,para. 41(2)(a) ofthePlant Breeders 'Rights Act,ands.9of
theICTopography Act,allow thecourt toorder injunctions ininfringement proceedings. However,
s.40oftheCopyright Actdoesnotallow aninjunction inthecaseofabuilding.
- damages, including recovery ofprofits, andexpenses, including attorney 'sfees;
TheCanadian courts award damages whenever theydetermine thatalosscanberemedied by
anaward ofmoney, andthepurpose ofdamages istoputtheplaintiff intheposition inwhich heor
shewould havebeenhadthelossnotoccurred. General damages arethose which, although being
thedirect andnatural consequences oftheactgiving risetothedamage, areincapable ofproof with
anygreatparticularity.Specialdamages,however,aredamageswhichareeasilyprovablewithprecision,
e.g.,out-of-pocket expenses. Bothwould beavailable fortheunauthorized disclosure oftrade secret
information inviolation ofacontractual obligation. Punitive orexemplary damages maybeawarded
where thedefendant hasbehaved withacallous disregard fortheplaintiff ’srights. Their purpose is
todeter others from following suchconduct. Although theyarenotnormally available forbreach
ofcontract actions, onoccasion exemplary damages havebeenawarded forbreach offiduciary duty
oradutyofconfidentiality.
Subsection 55(2) ofthePatent Actallows apatentee, andallpersons claiming under himor
her,tosuefordamages forinfringement, notonlyafterthegrant ofthepatent, butalsoatanytime
afterthepatent application islaidopen tothepublic forinspection. Section 15.1oftheIndustrial
Design Act,ands.9oftheICTopography Act,allow damages tobeclaimed, including forlostprofits
andpunitive damages (and, inthecaseoftopographies, forpayment ofroyalties). However, where
thedefendant wasnotaware, andhadnoreasonable grounds tosuspect, thatthedesign ortopography
wasregistered, theplaintiff ’sremedies arerestricted toaninjunction (Industrial Design Act,s.17;
ICTopography Act,s.10).Section 53.2oftheTrade-marks Actauthorizes orders for"therecovery
ofdamages orprofits". Subsection 41(1) ofthePlant Breeders 'Rights Actallows theholder oranyone
claiming under theholder toclaim foralldamages suffered byreason ofinfringement.
Paragraph 41(2)(b) ofthePlant Breeders 'Rights Actprovides thatacourt maymake anorder for
compensation ofanaggrieved person, andsubs. 42(2) gives authority tothecourt todetermine costs.IP/N/6/CAN/1
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Section 34oftheCopyright Actallows acopyright owner tosuefordamages. However, s.39limits
theremedy toinjunctions where thedefendant isnotaware oftheexistence ofthecopyright inthe
work. Inaddition, s.35allows acopyright owner tosueforlostprofits andrequires thatheorshe
onlyprovide receipts orrevenues derived fromthepublication, saleorotherdisposition oftheinfringing
work.
Canadian courts award costsasanindemnification oftheexpenses oflitigation, i.e.,feesplus
disbursements. Hence, thewinning partymaybeentitled tobecompensated fortheexpense ofbringing
ordefending theaction. Suchawards, however, areinthediscretion ofthecourtandarenever automatic
(Copyright Act,subs. 34(2)). Also, Rule57oftheOntario Rules ofCivilProcedure setsoutanon-
exhaustive listoffactors, other thanwinning orlosing, which maybeconsidered. Forexample, where
appropriate, thecourt mayalsoimpose costs against oneinvoking theaidofitsprocess, i.e.,where
aproceeding wasunnecessary orvexatious). However, attorney ’sfeesarenotordinarily treated as
aheadofspecial damages, noraretheynormally included inanorder forcosts. Where ordered, they
arerestricted totheschedule ofcosts contained intherules ofprocedure, which isordinarily based
ondaysincourt only.
- destruction orother disposal ofinfringing goods andmaterials/implements for
their production;
Asmentioned, Canadian superior courts havebroad inherent discretion tofashion remedies,
which byimplication includes thedisposal ofinfringing goods, where appropriate. Inaddition, s.15.1
oftheIndustrial Design Actallows forthedisposal ofanyinfringing article orkit,ands.9oftheIC
Topography Act,forthedisposal ofanyinfringing ICproduct. However, where thedefendant did
notknow, andhadnoreasonable grounds tobelieve, thattheICproduct wasmanufactured without
theconsent oftheowner oftheregistered topography, thedefendant hastherighttodispose ofthat
product,uponpaymentofareasonableroyaltydeterminedbythecourt.Section53(2)oftheTrade-marks
Actauthorizes courtorders for"thedestruction, exportation orotherdisposition ofanyoffending wares,
packages, labels andadvertising material andofanydies used inconnection therewith".
Paragraph 41(2)(d) ofthePlant Breeders 'Rights Actallows thecourt tomake anorder inrespect of
custody ordisposition ofanyoffending material, products, wares orarticles. Also, inthecontext of
acriminalprosecutionforcopyrightinfringement,thecourthasexpressauthoritytoorderthedestruction
oftheinfringing goods orplates which appear tobeusedforthepurpose ofmaking infringing copies
(Copyright Act,subs. 42(3); subs. 43.1(3)).
- anyother remedies.
Section 34oftheCopyright Actentitles thecopyright owner to“allremedies ...that areor
maybeconferred bylawfortheinfringement ofaright”.Section 38provides that“allinfringing
copies ofanywork inwhich copyright subsists...and allplates usedorintended tobeusedforthe
production oftheinfringing copies shallbedeemed tobetheproperty oftheowner ofthecopyright ”.
Thecombined effect ofthesetwosections would enable thecopyright owner topursue thetortremedies
ofdetinue andconversion.
6. Inwhat circumstances, ifany,dojudicial authorities have theauthority toorder the
infringer toinform theright holder oftheidentity ofthird persons involved inthe
production anddistribution ofthegoods orservices found tobeinfringing andoftheir
channels ofdistribution?
There isnospecific lawrequiring theinfringer toinform therightholder oftheidentity of
thirdpersons, although thismayariseduring thecourse ofaproceeding.IP/N/6/CAN/1
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7. Describe provisions relating totheindemnification ofdefendants wrongfully enjoined.
Towhat extent arepublic authorities and/or officials liable insuchasituation andwhat
"remedial measures" areapplicable tothem?
Aplaintiff whoobtains aninterlocutory injunction willnormally berequired togivean
undertaking tobearanydamages theinjunction causes thedefendant, should thedefendant ultimately
prevail atthetrialoftheaction. Public authorities havenoauthority toenjoin IPRinfringement.
8. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
There arenogeneral provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. However, the
provincial Rules ofCivil Procedure contain individual deadlines foreachstepinacivilproceeding,
e.g.,inOntario astatement ofclaim mustbeserved within sixmonths ofitsissuance, andastatement
ofdefence mustbeserved within 21daysofservice ofthestatement ofclaim. (InBritish Columbia,
awritofsummons mustbeserved within 12months offiling, andastatement ofclaim mustbefiled
withthewritorwithin 21daysofanappearance being filed. Astatement ofdefence must befiled
within 14daysofthetimelimited forappearance orfromthedateofdelivery ofthestatement ofclaim,
whichever islater). These timelimits arevaried forthefederal Crown, bytheCrown Liability and
Proceedings Act,which provide theCrown with30daystofileadefence aftertheservice ofthe
originating document.
Adefendant whoisnotindefault maybring amotion tohaveanaction dismissed fordelay,
where theplaintiff hasfailed totakeanyofthecritical steps intheproceeding, suchasserving the
statement ofclaim, orsetting theaction down fortrial. Similarly, aplaintiff maytakedefault
proceedings upon thedefendant ’sfailure todeliver astatement ofdefence orwhere thedefence has
beenstruck outandmayrequire thecourt registrar tonotethedefendant indefault. When thisoccurs,
theplaintiff maythenproceed toobtain judgment.
Normally, proceedings fortrade secrets mustbeinitiated within sixyears oftheevent giving
risetothecause ofaction (inBritish Columbia, within threeyears). Proceedings forindustrial design,
copyright andICtopography infringement mustbecommenced within three years (Industrial Design
Act,s.18;Copyright Act,s.41;ICTopography Act,s.12),andthose forpatent infringement within
sixyears (Patent Act,s.55.01). TheTrade-marks Actcontains deadlines forveryspecific instances
insubs. 17(2) and11.19(2).
Wedonotpossess anydataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheircost. However,
anew“fasttrack”system willbeinstituted inQuebec, starting 1January 1997, forallclaims of$50,000
orless. Itprovides forallwritten pleadings tobecompleted within 180daysoffiling thestatement
ofclaim. Itremains tobeseenwhether itwillapply to“hybrid ”actions, where aparty seeks an
injunction together withdamages.
(b) Administrative procedures andremedies
9. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative procedures onthemerits
andremedies thatmayresult from these procedures.
There arenoadministrative procedures available forviolations oftrade secrecy obligations.IP/N/6/CAN/1
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Provisional Measures
(a) Judicial measures
10. Describe thetypes ofprovisional measures thatjudicial authorities mayorder, andthe
legal basis forsuchauthority.
Based onthebroad inherent equitable jurisdiction ofthesuperior courts, thecourts maygrant
aninterim injunction (which prevents anactuntilanaction isinitiated) oraninterlocutory injunction
(which prevents anactfortheperiod oftimespecified intheorder). Asstated bytheSupreme Court
ofCanada intheRJR-MacDonald case, theplaintiff must establish:
a) thatheorshehasraised aserious question tobetried;
b) thatheorshewillsuffer irreparable harm iftheinjunction isnotgranted; and
c) thatthebalance ofconvenience favours thegranting oftheinjunction.
11. Inwhat circumstances maysuchmeasures beordered inaudita altera parte?
Inurgent situations, aninjunction maybegranted exparte forastated time, inorder toallow
forthefiling ofmaterial onacontested application, e.g.,taking thenecessary steps tocommence an
action. AnAnton Piller order allows theplaintiff ’ssolicitor topersonally attend upon thedefendant
andsupervise theseizure ofthedefendant ’sinfringing property. AMareva injunction isanorder of
thecourt prohibiting theremoval ordisposition ofthedefendant ’sassets. Normally, suchinterim
measures areonlyordered forshorttimeperiods. e.g.,Rule40.02 ofOntario ’sRules ofCivilProcedure
limits theduration ofexparte injunctions to10days.
12. Describe themain procedures fortheinitiation, ordering andmaintenance inforce of
provisional measures, inparticular relevant time-limits andsafeguards toprotect the
legitimate interests ofthedefendant.
Aninterlocutory injunction maybeobtained onmotion toajudge byaparty toapending or
intended proceeding. Theapplicant, insuchinstances, isrequired toprove allthreeoftheitems listed
intheanswer toquestion 10.Inaddition, theapplicant must, unless thecourt orders otherwise,
undertake toabide byanyorder concerning damages thatthecourt maymake ifitultimately appears
thatthegranting oftheorder hascaused damage totheresponding party.
13. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost.
There arenospecial provisions governing thelength andcostofinterim proceedings, other
thanasstated above. Wearenotinpossession ofnorareweaware ofanydataontheactual duration
orcostofsuchproceedings.
(b) Administrative measures
14. Reply totheabove questions inrelation toanyadministrative provisional measures.
There arenoprovisional administrative measures forIPRs.IP/N/6/CAN/1
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Special Requirements Related toBorder Measures
15. Indicate forwhich goods itispossible toapply forthesuspension bythecustoms authorities
oftherelease intofreecirculation, inparticular whether these procedures areavailable
alsoinrespect ofgoods which involve infringements ofintellectual property rights other
thancounterfeit trademark orpirated copyright goods asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement
(footnote toArticle 51). Specify, together withrelevant criteria, anyimports excluded
from theapplication ofsuchprocedures (such asgoods from another member ofacustoms
union, goods intransit ordeminimis imports). Dotheprocedures apply toimports of
goods putonthemarket inanother country byorwiththeconsent oftheright holder
andtogoods destined forexportation?
Border measures areavailable onlywithrespect tocounterfeit trademark orpirated copyright
goods, asdefined intheTRIPS Agreement, andICproducts thathavebeenimported contrary tothe
ICTopography Act(subs. 14(1)). Subsection 3(2)oftheICTopography Actgives theowner ofa
registered topography theexclusive righttoimport anICproduct).
Acopyright owner maygivenotice totheDepartment ofNational Revenue ofreprints ofany
work which infringe copyright, ifmade inCanada, andthereafter theimportation ofthatwork is
prohibited (Copyright Act,s.44,Customs Tariff, s.114andSchedule VII). Inaddition, itisunlawful
toimport intoCanada copies ofanybook inwhich copyright subsists, orreprints thereof, until14
daysafterpublication thereof, except fortwocopies foraperson ’sownuse,copies forusebythe
Government ofCanada orofaprovince, copies fortheuseofapublic library orinstitution oflearning,
andcopies ofabookwhich hasbeenlawfully printed andreleased intocirculation inaWTO member
country (Copyright Act,s.45,Customs Tariff ,Schedule VII).
Section 101oftheCustoms Actdeals withthedetention ofcontrolled goods andhasalsobeen
invoked byparties inorder torequire theCustoms authorities todetain counterfeit andpirated imported
goods.
16. Provide adescription ofthemain elements oftheprocedures relating tothesuspension
oftherelease ofgoods bycustoms authorities, inparticular thecompetent authorities
(Article 51),therequirements foranapplication (Article 52)andvarious requirements
related totheduration ofsuspension (Article 55). How have Articles 53(security or
equivalent assurance), 56(indemnification oftheimporter andoftheowner ofthegoods)
and57(right ofinspection andinformation) been implemented?
Theowner ofcopyright, ortheexclusive licensee, mayapply toacourtofcompetent jurisdiction
foranorder directing theCustoms authorities todetain works which would haveinfringed copyright
hadtheybeenmade inCanada. Those works mustbereleased aftertwoweeks unless theapplicant
notifies thecourt thatheorshehascommenced anaction forthefinaldetermination ofthematter.
Thecourt mayrequire theapplicant tofurnish security tocover thecosts incurred bytheCustoms
authorities forthestorage ofthework andtoanswer damages thatmight beincurred bytheowner
oftheallegedly infringing works, ortheimporter orconsignee thereof. Customs authorities maygive
theapplicant orimporter theopportunity toinspect thedetained works forthepurpose ofsubstantiating
orrefuting theapplicant ’sclaims (Copyright Act,s.44.1). Thissame procedure isavailable forthe
owner oftheperformer ’sright, where aninfringing fixation orreproduction oftheperformer ’s
performance isabout tobeimported intoCanada (Copyright Act,s.44.2).
Theowner ofaregistered topography, oranyperson interested therein, mayonapplication,
within anaction orotherwise, andonnotice orexparte,apply toacourt ofcompetent jurisdiction
foranorder fortheinterim detention ofanICproduct imported contrary totheICTopography ActIP/N/6/CAN/1
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(subs. 14(1), (4)(5)). Theplaintiff, inthecaseofanICtopography, isrequired topostsecurity for
anydamages theowner orconsignee oftheregistered topography might sustain andforanycosts of
storage. Inaddition, heorshemustindemnify theCanadian government foranyliability withwhich
thelatter might bevisited forthedetention (ICTopography Act,subs. 14(2) -(3)). Similar security
mayberequired under subs. 53(2) and53.1(3) oftheTrade-marks Actincaseofinterim custody or
detention ofinfringing goods.
17. Describe provisions governing thelength andcostofproceedings. Provide anyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost. How longisthevalidity of
decisions bythecompetent authorities forthesuspension oftherelease ofgoods intofree
circulation?
Thisinformation isnotavailable.
18. Arecompetent authorities required toactupon their owninitiative and,ifso,inwhat
circumstances? Arethere anyspecial provisions applicable toexofficio action?
No.
19. Describe theremedies thatthecompetent authorities havetheauthority toorder andany
criteria regulating their use.
N.A.
Criminal Procedures
20. Specify thecourts which have jurisdiction overcriminal actsofinfringement ofIPRs.
Allcourts offirstinstance andsuperior courts within theprovince. TheFederal Court has
nocriminal jurisdiction.
21. Inrespect ofwhich infringements ofwhich intellectual property rights arecriminal
procedures andpenalties available?
There isnocriminal remedy fortheappropriation oftrade secret information. TheSupreme
Court ofCanada heldintheStewart casethatconfidential information didnotqualify asproperty for
thepurposes ofthetheftsection oftheCriminal Code,andexcept inveryunusual circumstances it
isnotofanature suchthatitcanbetaken orconverted. (Only thetaking ofthephysical document
containing thetrade secrets would beconsidered anactoftheft). However, insome cases,
misappropriation ofinformation canbeprosecuted under thefraud section oftheCriminal Code(s.380),
where adishonest misappropriation causes ariskofeconomic deprivation tothevictim.
There isnocriminal remedy forpatent infringement, orfortheinfringement ofregistered
industrial designs orICtopographies. However, s.75ofthePatent Actmakes itanoffence topass
anarticle offasapatented article orasbelonging toapatentee. Inaddition, sections 406to410of
theCriminal Code make itanoffence toperform anumber ofactivities inrelation totrademarks, such
asforgery andpassing-off.
TheCopyright Actmakes itanoffence toknowingly make, sell,hire,distribute ordisplay
aninfringing work orperformer ’sperformance, onacommercial scale (subs. 42(1); subs. 43.1(1));
tomake orpossess aplate forthepurpose ofmaking infringing copies (subs. 42(2); s.43.1(2); toIP/N/6/CAN/1
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publicly perform acopyrighted work forprofit (subs. 42(2); subs. 43(1); tochange orsuppress the
titleofawork ortheauthor ’sname (subs. 43(2)). Inaddition, copyright infringement has,incertain
circumstances, beenprosecuted using thefraud provision oftheCriminal Code (s.301), where the
infringement hasresulted inadishonest economic deprivation, orriskthereof.
Subsection 53(2) ofthePlant Breeders 'Rights Actmakes itanoffence touseadenomination
other thantheoneapproved bytheCommissioner, usethedenomination forpropagating material not
ofthatvariety, oruseamisleading denomination, andsubs.53(3) makes itanoffence tofalsely represent
thatmaterial aspropagating material ofavariety inrespect ofwhich aplant breeders 'rightisheld
orapplied for.
22. Which public authorities areresponsible forinitiating criminal proceedings? Arethey
required todothisontheir owninitiative and/or inresponse tocomplaints?
TheAttorneyGeneralofeachprovince,ortheAttorneyGeneralofCanada,mayinitiatecriminal
proceedings, either ontheirowninitiative orinresponse tocomplaints. Inpractice, theynormally
undertake suchprosecutions asaresult ofanindependent police investigation.
23. Doprivate persons have standing toinitiate criminal proceedings and,ifso,who?
Yes. Anyperson mayswear acomplaint before ajustice ofthepeace andhastheright to
prosecute asummary conviction offence, unless theAttorney General intervenes totakecarriage of
theproceedings. Withrespect toindictable offences, anindividual caninitiate andconduct aprosecution
during thepreliminary inquiry stage, butmust obtain theconsent ofajudge toconduct atrialon
indictment. Again, theAttorney General hastherighttointervene.
24. Specify, bycategory ofIPRandtypeofinfringement where necessary, thepenalties and
other remedies thatmaybeimposed:
- imprisonment;
- monetary fines;
Themaximum penalty foroffence under s.75ofthePatent Actisafineof$200, or
imprisonment forthree months, orboth.
Themaximum penalty under s.42andunder subs. 43.1(1) oftheCopyright Actisafineof
$25,000 orsixmonths imprisonment forasummary conviction and$1,000,000 orfiveyears
imprisonment foraconviction onindictment; under subs. 43(1), $250 or(onsecond andsubsequent
offences) twomonths imprisonment, orboth; andunder subs. 43(2), $500or(onsecond andsubsequent
offences) fourmonths imprisonment, orboth.
Subsections53(4)and(5)ofthePlantBreeders'RightsActprovidesthatonsummaryconviction,
anindividual isliable toafineofnotmore thanfivethousand dollars, andonconviction onindictment,
afineofnotmore than15thousand dollars orimprisonment foruptothree years (uptofiveyears
where falserepresentation isinvolved). Acorporation isliable onsummary conviction toafineof
notmore than25thousand dollars oronconviction onindictment toafineinanamount determined
bythecourt.IP/N/6/CAN/1
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- seizure,forfeitureanddestructionofinfringinggoodsandmaterialsandimplements
fortheir production;
Subsection 42(3) oftheCopyright Actauthorizes thecourt inwhich criminal proceedings are
taken toorder thatinfringing copies orplates forthepurpose ofmaking infringing copies bedestroyed,
delivered uptothecopyright owner orotherwise dealtwith. Subsection 43.1(3) contains asimilar
authority inrespect ofinfringing fixations, reproductions andplates ofaperformer 'sperformance.
- other.
N.A.
25. Describeprovisionsgoverningthelengthandanycostofproceedings.Provideanyavailable
dataontheactual duration ofproceedings andtheir cost, ifany.
N.A.