TITLE IXJURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE IN LEGAL ACTIONS RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTARY UNREGISTERED DESIGNS

Section 2Disputes concerning the infringement and validity of F1supplementary unregistered designs

F2Article 80Community design courts

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F3Article 81The “design court” – Jurisdiction over infringement and validity

1.

In this Regulation, “design court” means—

(a)

in England and Wales, the High Court;

(b)

in Scotland, the sheriff court and the Court of Session; and

(c)

in Northern Ireland, the county court and the High Court.

2.

The design court has exclusive jurisdiction—

(a)

for infringement actions and actions in respect of threatened infringement of supplementary unregistered designs;

(b)

for actions for declaration of non-infringement of supplementary unregistered designs;

(c)

for actions for a declaration of invalidity of a supplementary unregistered design;

(d)

for counterclaims for a declaration of invalidity of a supplementary unregistered design raised in connection with actions under (a).

F4Article 82International jurisdiction

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F5Article 83Extent of jurisdiction on infringement

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Article 84Action or counterclaim for a declaration of invalidity of a F6supplementary unregistered design

1.

An action or a counterclaim for a declaration of invalidity of a F7supplementary unregistered design may only be based on the grounds for invalidity mentioned in Article 25.

2.

In the cases referred to in Article 25(2), (3), F8and (4) F9... the action or the counterclaim may be brought solely by the person entitled under those provisions.

3.

If the counterclaim is brought in a legal action to which the right holder of the F10supplementary unregistered design is not already a party, he shall be informed thereof and may be joined as a party to the action in accordance with the F11laws applying to the design courts.

4.

The validity of a F12supplementary unregistered design may not be put in issue in an action for a declaration of non-infringement.

Article 85Presumption of validity — defence as to the merits

F131.

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2.

In proceedings in respect of an infringement action or an action for threatened infringement of F14a supplementary unregistered F15... design, the F15... design court shall treat the F16supplementary unregistered design as valid if the right holder produces proof that the conditions laid down in Article 11 have been met and indicates what constitutes the individual character of his F16supplementary unregistered design. However, the defendant may contest its validity by way of a plea or with a counterclaim for a declaration of invalidity.

Article 86Judgements of invalidity

1.

Where in a proceeding before a F17... design court the F18supplementary unregistered design has been put in issue by way of a counterclaim for a declaration of invalidity:

(a)

if any of the grounds mentioned in Article 25 are found to prejudice the maintenance of F19that design, the court shall declare F19that design invalid;

(b)

if none of the grounds mentioned in Article 25 is found to prejudice the maintenance of F20that design, the court shall reject the counterclaim.

F212.

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F213.

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F214.

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F215.

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F22Article 87Effects of the judgement on invalidity

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F23Article 88Applicable law

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Article 89Sanctions in actions for infringement

1.

Where in an action for infringement or for threatened infringement a F24... design court finds that the defendant has infringed or threatened to infringe a F25supplementary unregistered design, it shall, unless there are special reasons for not doing so, order the following measures:

(a)

an order prohibiting the defendant from proceeding with the acts which have infringed or would infringe F26that design;

(b)

an order to seize the infringing products;

(c)

an order to seize materials and implements predominantly used in order to manufacture the infringing goods, if their owner knew the effect for which such use was intended or if such effect would have been obvious in the circumstances;

(d)

any order imposing other sanctions appropriate under the circumstances which are provided by F27... law.

F282.

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Article 90Provisional measures, including protective measures

1.

Application may be made to the courts F29..., including F30... design courts, for such provisional measures, including protective measures, in respect of a F31supplementary unregistered design as may be available F32....

2.

In proceedings relating to provisional measures, including protective measures, a plea otherwise than by way of counterclaim relating to the invalidity of a F33supplementary unregistered design submitted by the defendant shall be admissible. Article 85(2) shall, however, apply mutatis mutandis.

3.

A F34... design court F35... shall have jurisdiction to grant provisional measures, including protective measures F36....

F37Article 91Specific rules on related actions

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F38Article 92Jurisdiction of Community design courts of second instance — further appeal

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