LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT
CHAPTER 82:79
L.R.O. 1/2006
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Act 19 of 1996
Amended by 18 of 2000
Current Authorised Pages Pages Authorised
(inclusive) by L.R.O. 1–33 .. 1/2006
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Index of Subsidiary Legislation Page
Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Rules (LN 157/1996) … … … … … 15
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CHAPTER 82:79
LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS SECTION
1. Short title. 2. Interpretation. 3. Protection. 4. Originality. 5. Right to protection. 6. Effect of protection. 7. Commencement and duration of protection. 8. Filing requirements. 9. Register; registration and publication.
10. Right to transfer; rectification of register. 11. Changes in ownership; contractual licences. 12. Cancellation. 13. Representation. 14. Infringement; enforcement of exclusive right. 15. Offences. 16. Exploitation by a government agency or third person. 17. Exercise of discretionary powers; extension of time. 18. Competence of Court; appeals. 19. Application of international treaties. 20. Regulations.
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CHAPTER 82:79
LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT
An Act to provide for the protection of layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits.
[1ST DECEMBER 1997]
1. This Act may be cited as the Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Act.
2. In this Act— “Controller” means the Controller of the Intellectual Property
Office appointed under section 3 of the Patents Act and any reference to the Controller shall be construed as including a reference to any officer discharging the functions of the Controller;
“Court” means the High Court; “integrated circuit” means a product, in its final form or an
intermediate form in which the elements, at least one of which is an active element, and some or all of the interconnections are integrally formed in and/or on a piece of material and which is intended to perform an electronic function;
“layout-design” is synonymous with “topography” and means the three-dimensional disposition, however expressed, of the elements, at least one of which is an active element, and of some or all of the inter-connections of an integrated circuit, or such a three-dimensional disposition prepared for an integrated circuit intended for manufacture;
“Minister” means the Minister to whom responsibility for intellectual property is assigned;
“Register” means the Register of Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits;
“right holder” means the person who is to be regarded as the beneficiary of the protection referred to in section 6.
19 of 1996.
Commencement. 256/1997.
Short title.
Interpretation.
Ch. 82:76.
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3. (1) Protection under this Act may be obtained for layout-designs of integrated circuits if and to the extent that they are original within the meaning of section 4.
(2) Registration may only be applied for if the layout- design has not yet been commercially exploited, or has been commercially exploited for not more than two years anywhere in the world.
(3) Protection under this Act shall not be available for layout-designs which have been commercially exploited, anywhere in the world, for more than two years prior to the entry into force of this Act.
4. (1) A layout-design shall be considered to be original if it is the result of its creator’s own intellectual effort and is not commonplace among creators of layout-designs and manufacturers of integrated circuits at the time of its creation.
(2) A layout-design consisting of a combination of elements and inter-connections that are commonplace shall be protected only if the combination taken as a whole is original within the meaning of subsection (1).
5. (1) The right to layout-design protection shall belong to the creator of the layout-design and may be assigned or transferred by succession.
(2) Where several persons have jointly created a layout-design, the right to layout-design protection shall belong to them jointly.
(3) Where the layout-design has been created in execution of a commission or an employment contract, the right to layout- design protection shall belong, in the absence of contractual provisions to the contrary, to the person who commissioned the work or to the employer.
6. (1) Protection under this Act shall not depend upon whether or not the integrated circuit which incorporates the protected layout-design is itself incorporated in an article.
Protection.
Originality.
Right to protection.
Effect of protection.
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(2) Subject to subsection (3) and to section 14, the protection shall have the effect that the following acts shall be unlawful if performed without the authorisation of the right holder—
(a) reproducing, whether by incorporation in an integrated circuit or otherwise, the protected layout-design in its entirety or any part thereof, except the act of reproducing any part that does not comply with the requirement of originality referred to in section 4;
(b) importing, selling or otherwise distributing for commercial purposes the protected layout-design, an integrated circuit in which the protected layout- design is incorporated or an article incorporating such an integrated circuit in so far as it continues to contain an unlawfully reproduced layout- design.
(3) The effect of protection of a layout-design under this Act shall not extend to—
(a) the reproduction of the protected layout-design for private purposes or for the sole purpose of evaluation, analysis, research or teaching;
(b) the incorporation in an integrated circuit of a layout-design created on the basis of such analysis or evaluation and which is itself original in the meaning of section 4 or the performance of any of the acts referred to in subsection (2) in respect of that layout-design;
(c) the performance of any of the acts referred to in subsection (2)(b) where the act is performed in respect of a protected layout-design, or in respect of an integrated circuit in which such a layout- design is incorporated, that has been put on the market by or with the consent of the right holder;
(d) the performance of any of the acts referred to in subsection (2)(b) in respect of an integrated circuit incorporating an unlawfully reproduced layout-design or any article incorporating such
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an integrated circuit where the person performing or ordering such an act did not know and had no reasonable ground to know, when acquiring the integrated circuit or the article incorporating such an integrated circuit, that is incorporated an unlawfully reproduced layout-design; however after the time that such person has received sufficient notice that the layout-design was lawfully reproduced, that person may perform any of those acts only with respect to the stock on hand or ordered before such time and shall be liable to pay to the right holder a sum equivalent to a reasonable royalty such as would be payable under a freely negotiated licence in respect of such a layout-design; or
(e) the performance of any of the acts referred to in subsection (1)(b) where the act is performed in respect of an identical layout-design which is original and has been created independently by a third party.
7. (1) Protection of a layout-design under this Act shall commence—
(a) on the date of the first commercial exploitation, anywhere in the world, of the layout-design by or with the consent of the right holder, provided that an application for protection is filed by the right holder with the Controller within the time limit referred to in section 3(2); or
(b) on the filing date accorded to the application for the registration of the layout-design filed by the right holder, if the layout-design has not been previously exploited commercially anywhere in the world.
(2) Protection of a layout-design under this Act shall terminate at the end of the tenth calendar year after the date of commencement of protection.
Commencement and duration of protection.
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8. (1) An application for the registration of a layout-design shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Controller.
(2) A separate application shall be filed for each layout-design.
(3) The application shall— (a) contain a request for registration of the layout-
design in the register and a brief and precise designation of the layout-design;
(b) indicate the name, address, nationality and, if different from the address, the habitual residence of the applicant;
(c) be accompanied by the authorisation of agent appointing the representative of the applicant, if any;
(d) be accompanied by a copy or drawing of the layout-design together with information defining the electronic function which the integrated circuit is intended to perform but the application may omit such parts of the copy or drawing that relate to the manner of manufacture of the integrated circuit, provided that the parts submitted are sufficient to allow the identification of the layout-design;
(e) specify the date of first commercial exploitation of the layout-design anywhere in the world or indicate that such exploitation has not commenced; and
(f) provide particulars establishing the right to protection under section 5.
(4) Where an application does not duly comply with the requirements of subsection (3), the Controller shall immediately notify the applicant of the defects and invite him to correct them within two months.
(5) Where the defects are corrected within the time limit under subsection (4), the Controller shall accord as the filing date
Filing requirements.
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the date of receipt of the application, provided that, at the time of receipt, the application contained an express or implicit indication that the registration of a layout-design is requested and indications allowing the identity of the applicant to be established and was accompanied by a copy or drawing of the layout-design.
(6) Where the requirements of subsection (5) were not complied with at the date of receipt of the application but are complied with within the time limit, the date of receipt of the required correction shall be deemed to be the filing date of the application.
(7) The Controller shall confirm the filing date and communicate it to the applicant.
(8) Where the defects are not corrected within the time limit, the application shall be deemed not to have been filed.
(9) Each application for protection of a layout-design shall be subject to the payment of the prescribed fee.
(10) Where the fee is not paid, the Controller shall notify the applicant that the application will be deemed not to have been filed unless payment is made within two months from the date of the notification and where the application fee is not paid within that time limit, the application shall be deemed not to have been filed.
9. (1) The Controller shall maintain a register in which he shall record all matters required by this Act to be recorded.
(2) Where an application complies with the requirements of section 8, the Controller shall register the layout-design in the Register without examination of the originality of the layout-design, the applicant’s entitlement to protection or the correctness of the facts stated in the application.
(3) The Register shall contain the number, title, filing date and, where indicated in the application under section 8(3)(e), the date of first commercial exploitation, anywhere in the world, of the layout-design as well as the name and address of the right holder and other prescribed particulars.
Register; registration and publication.
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(4) Any person may consult the Register and obtain extracts therefrom, subject to the payment of the prescribed fee.
(5) The registration of a layout-design shall be published in the prescribed manner.
10. (1) Where the essential content of the application has been taken from the layout-design of another person without his consent, that other person may, in writing, request the Controller to transfer the application to him.
(2) Where the application has already resulted in a registration, that person may, within three years from the publication of the registration, in writing, request the Controller to transfer the registration to him and to rectify the entry in the Register accordingly.
(3) The Controller shall send forthwith a copy of such a request to the right holder, and, within the prescribed period and in the prescribed manner, the right holder may send to the Controller a counter-statement of the grounds on which he relies.
(4) Where the right holder sends a counter-statement, the Controller shall furnish a copy thereof to the person requesting the transfer and, after hearing the parties, if either or both wish to be heard, and considering the merits of the case, shall decide whether the application or registration should be transferred and, where applicable, whether the Register should be rectified.
11. (1) Any change in the ownership of a protected layout-design shall be in writing.
(2) Once the layout-design has been registered, the change in ownership shall, at the request of any interested party, made to the Controller, be recorded and published by the Controller and such change shall have no effect against third parties until it has been recorded.
(3) Any licence contract concerning a layout-design shall, upon registration of the layout-design, be submitted to the Controller who shall keep its contents confidential but shall publish a reference thereto and the licence contract shall have no effect against third parties until such submission has been made.
Right to transfer; rectification of register.
Changes in ownership; contractual licences.
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12. (1) Any interested person may apply to the Court for the cancellation of the registration of a layout-design on the grounds that—
(a) the layout-design is not protectable under sections 3 and 4;
(b) the right holder is not entitled to protection under section 5; or
(c) where the layout-design has been commercially exploited, anywhere in the world, before the filing of the application for registration of the layout- design, the application was not filed within the time limit referred to in sections 3(2) and 7(1)(a).
(2) Where the grounds for cancellation are established with respect only to a part of the layout-design, only the corresponding part of the registration shall be cancelled.
(3) Any cancelled layout-design registration, or part thereof, shall be regarded as null and void from the date of the commencement of protection.
(4) The Registrar of the Court shall notify the Controller of the decision of the Court or the decision on any appeal therefrom and the Controller shall record it and publish a reference thereto as soon as possible.
13. Where an applicant’s ordinary residence or principal place of business is outside Trinidad and Tobago, he shall be represented by an Attorney-at-law resident and practising in Trinidad and Tobago.
14. (1) Infringement shall consist of the performance of any act which is unlawful under section 6.
(2) On the request of the right holder, or of his licensee if the latter has requested the right holder to institute Court proceedings for a specific relief and the right holder has refused or failed to do so within a reasonable time, the Court may grant an injunction to prevent infringement or an imminent infringement, award damages and grant any other remedy provided for in the general law.
Cancellation.
Representation.
Infringement; enforcement of exclusive right.
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(3) Proceedings under subsection (2) may be initiated only after an application for registration of the layout-design has been filed with the Controller.
15. Any person who, without authorisation, knowingly performs any act which is unlawful under section 6, shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars and to imprisonment for five years and the Court may also order the seizure, forfeiture and destruction of the layout- designs, integrated circuits or articles concerned and of any materials or implements, the predominant use of which has been in the commission of the offence.
16. (1) Where— (a) the public interest, in particular, national security,
nutrition, health or the development of other vital sectors of the national economy requires the exploitation of a protected layout-design for public non-commercial use; or
(b) a judicial or administrative body has determined that the manner of exploitation of a protected layout-design, by the right holder or his licensee, is anti-competitive, and the Minister is satisfied that the exploitation of the layout-design in accordance with this section would remedy such practice,
the Minister may decide that, even without the authorisation of the right holder, a Government agency or a third person designated by the Minister may exploit the layout-design.
(2) The exploitation of the layout-design shall be— (a) limited, in scope and duration, to the purpose for
which it was authorised; (b) predominantly for the supply of the domestic
market; (c) non-exclusive; and (d) subject to the payment to the right holder of an
adequate remuneration therefor, taking into
Offences.
Exploitation by a government agency or third person. [18 of 2000].
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account the economic value of the Minister’s authorisation, as determined in the Minister’s decision and, where applicable, the need to correct anti-competitive practices.
(3) Upon request of the right holder or of the beneficiary of the authorisation, the Minister may, after hearing the parties, if either or both wish to be heard, vary the terms of the decision authorising the exploitation of the layout-design to the extent that changed circumstances justify such variation.
(4) Upon the request of the right holder, the Minister shall terminate the authorisation if he is satisfied that the circumstances which led to his decision have ceased to exist and are unlikely to recur or that the beneficiary of the authorisation has failed to comply with the terms of the authorisation.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), the Minister shall not terminate an authorisation if he is satisfied that the adequate protection of the legitimate interests of the beneficiary of the authorisation justifies the maintenance of the authorisation.
(6) Where a third person has been designated by the Minister in accordance with subsection (1), the authorisation may only be transferred with the enterprise or business of the beneficiary of the authorisation or with the part of the enterprise or business within which the layout-design is being exploited.
(7) A request for the Minister’s authorisation shall be accompanied by evidence that the right holder has received, from the person seeking the authorisation, a request for a contractual licence but that that person has been unable to obtain such a licence on reasonable commercial terms and conditions and within a reasonable time.
(8) Decisions of the Minister under this section may be the subject of an appeal to the Court.
17. (1) The Controller shall, before exercising any discretionary power vested in him by this Act adversely to any party to a proceeding before him, give that party an opportunity to be heard.
Exercise of discretionary powers; extension of time.
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(2) Where the Controller is satisfied that the circumstances justify it, he may, upon receiving a written request therefor, extend the time for doing any act, other than the time limit set out in sections 3(2) and 7(1)(a), for filing an application, or taking any proceeding under this Act, upon notice to the parties concerned and upon such terms as he may direct and such extension may be granted notwithstanding the time for doing the act or taking the proceeding has expired.
18. (1) The Court shall have jurisdiction in cases of dispute relating to the application of this Act and in matters which, under this Act, are to be referred to the Court.
(2) Any decision taken by the Controller under this Act, in particular the registration of a layout-design, may be the subject of an appeal by any interested party to the Court and such appeal shall be filed within two months of the date of the decision.
19. The provisions of any international treaty in respect of intellectual property to which Trinidad and Tobago is a party shall apply to matters dealt with by this Act and, in case of conflict with provisions of this Act, shall prevail over the latter.
20. The Minister may make Regulations prescribing all matters that are required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed, or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for giving effect to the purposes of this Act.
Competence of Court; appeals.
Application of international treaties.
Regulations.
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SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS RULES
ARRANGEMENT OF RULES
RULE
1. Citation. 2. Interpretation. 3. Fees. 4. Forms. 5. Language of documents and transactions. 6. Indication of name, address, nationality. 7. Signatures by partnerships, companies and associations. 8. Representation by Attorney-at-law. 9. Application for registration of layout-design.
10. Withdrawal of application. 11. Marking of application. 12. According and notifying filing date; examination; decision to grant
or refuse. 13. Registration; publication; issuance of certificate. 14. Entries in register. 15. Changes in ownership. 16. Address for service. 17. Excluded days. 18. Consultation of register; request for extracts therefrom and for copies
of documents. 19. Inspection of licence contracts. 20. Corrections of errors. 21. Hearing. 22. Service by mail. 23. Extension of time limit. 24. Directions as to furnishing of documents. 25. Corrections of irregularities.
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Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Rules[Subsidiary]
ARRANGEMENT OF RULES—Continued RULE
26. Dispensation by the Controller. 27. Hours of business. 28. Evidence. 29. Statutory declarations and affidavits. 30. Publication; periodical.
SCHEDULE I. SCHEDULE II.
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LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS RULES
made under section 20
1. These Rules may be cited as the Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Rules.
2. In these Rules unless the context otherwise requires, “section” refers to the specified section of the Act.
3. The fees to be paid in respect of matters arising under the Act of these Rules shall be those specified in the Schedule of Fees in Schedule I.
4. (1) The forms referred to in these Rules are those set out in Schedule II.
(2) A requirement under these Rules to use such a form is satisfied by the use either of a replica of that form or of a form which is acceptable to the Controller and contains the information required by the form set out in that Schedule.
5. Applications shall be in the English language, and any document forming part of an application or submitted to the Controller pursuant to the Act or these Rules and which is in a language other than English shall be accompanied by an English translation verified by the translator that the translation is to the best of his knowledge complete and faithful.
6. (1) Names of natural persons shall be indicated by the person’s family’s name and given name or names, residence indicated before the given name or names and the names of legal entities shall be indicated by their full, official designations.
(2) Address shall be indicated in such a way as to satisfy the customary requirements for prompt postal delivery at the indicated address and, in any case, shall consist of all the relevant administrative units, including the house number, if any, and addresses shall also indicate telegraphic and telex addresses and facsimile and telephone numbers.
157/1996.
Citation.
Interpretation.
Fees.
Schedule I.
Forms. Schedule II.
Language of documents and transactions.
Indication of name, address, nationality.
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(3) Nationality shall be indicated by the name of the State of which a person is a national and legal entities shall indicate the name of the State under whose laws they are constituted and the address of their registered office.
(4) Residence shall be indicated by the name of the State of which a person is a resident.
7. (1) A document purporting to be signed for or on behalf of a partnership shall contain the names of all the partners in full and shall be signed by all the partners or by any partner qualified to sign, stating that he signs on behalf of the partnership, and or by any other person who satisfies the Controller that he is authorised to sign the document and a document purporting to be signed for or on behalf of a body corporate shall be signed by a director or by the secretary or other principal officer of the body corporate, or by any other person who satisfies the Controller that he is authorised to sign the document and shall bear the seal of the body corporate and a document purporting to be signed for or on behalf of an association of persons may be signed by any person who satisfied the Controller that he is duly authorised.
(2) The Controller may, whenever he deems it necessary, request evidence of authorisation to sign.
8. (1) The appointment of an Attorney-at-law shall be by an authorisation of agent which shall be signed by the applicant or, if there are more than one, by each applicant.
(2) The authorisation of agent appointing an Attorney- at-law shall be filed together with the application and if the appointment is not thus made and is not in accordance with section 13 and subrule (1), any procedural steps taken by the Attorney-at-law, other than the filing of the application, shall be deemed not to have been taken.
9. (1) The application for the registration of a layout-design shall be made on Form No. 1 and shall be signed by each applicant or Attorney-at-law.
Signatures by partnerships, companies and associations.
Representation by Attorney-at- law.
Application for registration of layout-design.
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(2) The application shall indicate each applicant’s name, address, nationality and residence.
(3) Where the applicant is the creator, the request shall contain a statement to that effect, and, where he is not, it shall indicate each creator’s name and address and be accompanied by the statement justifying the applicant’s right to the registration of the layout-design.
(4) The brief and precise designation of the layout-design referred to in section 8(3)(a) shall consist of the title of the layout- design indicating the matter to which it relates or indicating the field to which the article in which it is intended to be incorporated, or has been incorporated, relates.
(5) Where the application was accompanied by a copy of the layout-design, the applicant shall file a drawing thereof within a period of one month.
10. (1) The application may be withdrawn by written declaration submitted to the Controller and signed by each applicant.
(2) The application fee shall not be refunded if the application is withdrawn.
11. (1) Upon receipt, the Controller shall mark, on each document making up the application, the actual date of receipt and the application number consisting of the letters TT, slant, the letter t, slant, the numbers of the year in which the initial papers were received, slant, and a five-digit number allotted in the sequential order in which applications are received and where any corrections or other later filed documents are received on different dates, the Controller shall also mark their actual date of receipt in the appropriate place of the request for registration of the layout-design (Form No. 1).
(2) The application number allotted under paragraph (1) shall be quoted in all subsequent communications concerning the application.
Withdrawal of application.
Marking of application.
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12. (1) The Controller shall examine whether the application fulfils the requirements set out in section 8(1) and (5).
(2) Where the Controller finds that the application did not at the time of receipt fulfil the requirements referred to in paragraph (1), he shall invite the applicant to file the required correction.
(3) The invitation to file any correction shall be in writing and it shall specify the correction or corrections required and request that these be filed within two months from the date of the invitation, together with the payment of the prescribed fee.
(4) Once the Controller accords a filing date, he shall so notify the applicant in writing and if the application is treated as if it had not been filed, under section 8(8) or (10), the Controller shall notify the applicant in writing, stating the reasons.
(5) Where the conditions set out in section 3(2) and (3) are not fulfilled, the Controller shall reject the application and notify the applicant in writing, stating the reasons.
(6) Where the Controller finds that the conditions set out in section 8(2) and (3) and the Rules pertaining thereto are not fulfilled, he shall invite the applicant, in writing, to file the required correction within two months from the date of the invitation, together with the payment of the prescribed fee and if the applicant does not comply with the invitation to correct a deficiency, or where, despite corrections submitted by the applicant, the Controller is of the opinion that the said conditions are not fulfilled, he shall reject the application and notify the applicant, in writing, stating the reasons.
(7) Refusal of the application shall not affect its filing date which shall remain valid.
(8) The Controller shall notify the applicant, in writing, of his decision to grant or to refuse the application, and, in the case of a decision to grant the application, he shall request the applicant to pay the registration and publication fee within one month from the date of the notification.
According and notifying filing date; examination; decision to grant or refuse.
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13. (1) Subject to the payment of the registration and publication fee within the period prescribed in rule 12(6), the Controller shall register the layout-design in accordance with section 9(2) and this rule, publish a reference to the registration and issue to the applicant a certificate of registration.
(2) The Controller shall allot to each layout-design he registers, a number in the sequential order of registration.
(3) The registration of a layout-design shall include, in addition to the particulars specified in section 9(3), a copy or drawing thereof, subject to section 8(3)(d), and shall specify—
(a) the name and address of the registered owner; (b) the name and address of the agent, if any; (c) the name and address of the creator, except
where he has asked not to be named in the registration; and
(d) the date of the first commercial exploitation, anywhere in the world, of the layout-design or an indication that such exploitation has not yet commenced.
(4) The publication of the reference to the registration of a layout-design, under subrule (1), shall contain the particulars specified in subrule (3).
(5) The certificate of registration of a layout-design shall be issued on Form No. 2.
14. (1) The Controller shall cause to be entered in the register in respect of every layout-design, in addition to the information indicated in rule 13(3)—
(a) the address for service; (b) the date on which the layout-design registration
expired or was surrendered or cancelled; (c) any change in name or address, or any change in
address for service or ownership in accordance with rules 15 and 16;
(d) the fact that a licence contract has been concluded and recorded pursuant to section 11(3).
Registration; publication; issuance of certificate.
Form No. 2.
Entries in register.
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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15. (1) The request, under section 11, for the recording of a change in ownership of a layout-design registered under the Act or of an application therefor shall be made to the Controller on Form No. 3 and shall be subject to payment of the prescribed fee.
(2) The publication of the change in ownership shall specify—
(a) the number of the application or registration concerned;
(b) the filing date, the date, if any, of first commercial exploitation, anywhere in the world, and the date of registration;
(c) the owner and the new owner; and (d) the nature of the change in ownership.
(3) A licence contract submitted for recordal under section 11(3) shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
16. (1) There shall be furnished to the Controller— (a) by every applicant for the registration of a
layout-design, an address for service in Trinidad and Tobago for the purpose of his application; and
(b) by person, including the applicant for, or the owner of, a layout-design, as the case may be, concerned in any proceedings to which any of these Rules relate, an address for service in Trinidad and Tobago,
and the address so furnished or, where another address being an address in Trinidad and Tobago, has been furnished in place thereof, that address shall be treated for the purposes of that application or those proceedings, as appropriate, as the address of that applicant or, as the case may be, of that person.
(2) Where an Attorney-at-law has been appointed in accordance with section 13 and Rule 8, the address of theAttorney- at-law shall, for all purposes connected with the Act and these Rules, be treated as the address to which communications to the person who appointed the agent shall be transmitted.
Changes in ownership.
Form No. 3.
Address for service.
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UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
L.R.O. 1/2006
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17. When the last day for doing any act or taking any proceeding falls on a day when the Controller’s Office is not open to the public for business, it shall be lawful to do the act or to take the proceeding on the day when the Controller’s Office is next open for business.
18. Consultation of the register shall be subject to payment of the prescribed fee and requests for certified copies of extracts from a register or for copies of documents shall be made to the Controller in writing and shall be subject to payment of the prescribed fee.
19. The file relating to a licence contract may be inspected and extracts obtained therefrom only with the written permission of the licensor and licensee.
20. (1) The Controller may correct any error of translation or transcription, clerical error or mistake in any application or document filed with the Intellectual Property Office or in any matter recorded pursuant to the Act or these Rules.
(2) Corrections of errors may be made by the Controller upon receipt of a request in writing and subject to such terms as he may consider appropriate, or on his own initiative.
(3) Corrections made shall be communicated in writing to all interested persons, and, where considered necessary, shall be published by the Controller.
21. (1) Before exercising adversely to any person any discretionary power given to the Controller by the Act or these Rules, the Controller shall notify such person, in writing, of the opportunity to be heard thereon, and indicating a time limit, which shall not be less than one month, for filing a request for a hearing.
(2) The request for a hearing shall be in writing and shall be subject to payment of the prescribed fee.
(3) Upon receiving such request, the Controller shall give the person applying, and any other interested persons, at least two weeks’ notice, in writing, of the date and time of the hearing.
Excluded days.
Consultation of register; request for extracts therefrom and for copies of documents.
Inspection of licence contracts.
Corrections of errors.
Hearing.
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
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22. Any notice, application or other document sent to the Controller by mail shall be deemed to have been given, made or filed at the time when it would be delivered in the ordinary course of the mail and in proving such sending, it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing such notice, application or other document was properly addressed and sent by registered mail.
23. The time or periods prescribed by these Rules for doing any act or taking any proceeding thereunder, may be extended by the Controller if he thinks fit, upon such notice to the parties and upon such terms as he may direct, and such extensions may be granted although the time or period for doing such act or taking such proceeding has already expired.
24. At any stage of any proceedings before the Controller, he may direct that such documents, information or evidence as he may require be furnished within such period of time as he may fix.
25. Any irregularity in procedure before the Controller may be rectified, on such terms as he may direct.
26. Where, under these Rules, any person is to do any act or thing, or any document or evidence is required to be produced or filed, and it is shown to the satisfaction of the Controller that from any reasonable cause that person is unable to do that act or thing, or that that document or evidence cannot be produced or filed, the Controller may, upon the production of such evidence and subject to such terms as he thinks fit, dispense with the doing of any such act or thing, or the production or filing of such document or evidence.
27. The Controller’s Office shall be open to the public from Monday to Friday inclusive, each week, between the hours of 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. for all classes of business.
28. (1) Where under these Rules evidence may be filed, it shall be by statutory declaration or affidavit.
Service by mail.
Extension of time limit.
Directions as to furnishing of documents.
Corrections of irregularities.
Dispensation by the Controller.
Hours of business.
Evidence.
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
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(2) The Controller may, if he thinks fit, in any particular case, take oral evidence in lieu of or in addition to such evidence and shall allow any witness to be cross-examined on his affidavit or declaration.
29. (1) Any statutory declaration or affidavit filed under the Act or these Rules shall be made before any officer authorised by law in any part of Trinidad and Tobago to administer on oath for the purpose of any legal proceedings.
(2) Statutory declarations or affidavits made outside Trinidad and Tobago shall be made before a consul or notary public.
30. Particulars of layout-designs of integrated circuits and other proceedings under theAct and any other information required to be published under the Act or these Rules shall be published monthly in a periodical unless the Controller otherwise directs.
Statutory declarations and affidavits.
Publication; periodical.
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UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
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SCHEDULE I
FEES
(Rule 3).
Application fee [Section 8(9)] … … … …
Correction of application in order to comply with requirements for according filing date [Section 8(1) and (5); Rule 12(2)] … … …
Correction of application in order to comply with formal requirements [Section 8(2), (3) and (4); Rule 12(2)] … … … …
Registration and publication fee [Section 9(2); Rules 12(6) and 13(1)] … …
Request for recordal of change in ownership [Section 11(1); Rule 15(1)] … … … …
Submission of licence contract for recordal [Section 11(3); Rule 15(2)] … … … …
Inspection of Register (for every quarter of an hour or part thereof) [Section 9(4); Rule (18)]… …
Certified copies of documents (per page) [Section 9(4); Rule (18)] … … … …
Request for correction of error (Rule 20) … …
Request for hearing [Section 17(1); Rule 21(2)] …
Matter or Proceeding FormAmount of Fee
Form No. 1
Form No. 3
$500.00
$20.00
$20.00
$150.00 plus
fee for publication
$100.00
$100.00
$20.00
$5.00 per printed page
and $20.00
to certify correctness
of documents
$20.00
$100.00
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
L.R.O. 1/2006
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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SCHEDULE II FORM NO. 1
[Rule 4(1)].
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
For Official Use Form No. 1 [Rule 9(1)] LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) Date of Receipt by OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT Intellectual Property Office:
APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF APPLICATION No.: LAYOUT DESIGN (Office’s Stamp)
To: The Controller Intellectual Property Office
FILING DATE:
Applicant’s or Representative’s File Reference:
THE APPLICANT(S) REQUEST(S) THAT THE FOLLOWING LAYOUT- DESIGN BE REGISTERED:
I. APPLICANT(S)*
Additional information is contained in supplemental box Name: Address: Nationality:
Country of residence or principal place of business:
Tel. No.: Telegraphic Address: Telex No.: Fax No.:
*The data concerning each applicant must appear in this box or, if the space is insufficient, in the supplemental box. (Form No. 1, first page).
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UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
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* Where an Attorney-at-law has been appointed, the address of the (Attorney- at-law) shall be treated as the address to which communications shall be transmitted [Rule 16 (2)].
** Where the application is accompanied by a copy of the layout-design, a drawing thereof shall be filed within the period prescribed in Rule 9(5).
(Form No. 1, second page).
Address for service in Trinidad and Tobago*:
II. ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
The following (Attorney-at-law) has been appointed by the applicant(s) in the Authorisation of Agent:
accompanying this Form
Name:
Address*:
Tel. No.: Telegraphic Address: Telex No.: Fax No.:
III. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE LAYOUT-DESIGN
This Form is accompanied by:
four copies** of the layout-design;
four copies** of the layout-design allowing the identification of the layout-design, whereby such parts of the copies that relate to the manner of the manufacture of the integrated circuit have been omitted in accordance with section 8(3)(d);
four drawings** of the layout-design;
four drawings** of the layout-design allowing the identification of the layout-design, whereby such parts of the drawings which relate to the manner of manufacture of the integrated circuit have been omitted in accordance with section 8(3)(d).
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
L.R.O. 1/2006
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IV. DESIGNATION
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
(Title of the layout-design indicating, pursuant to Rule 9(4), the matter to which it relates or the field to which the article in which it is intended to be incorporated, or has been incorporated, relates).
V. CREATOR
Additional information is The creator is the applicant contained
in supplemental box
If creator is not the applicant:
Name:
Address:
The statement justifying the applicant’s right accompanies this form
VI. COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION
The layout-design has already been commercially exploited in ..................................
Date of first commercial exploitation:
The layout-design has not yet been commercially exploited, anywhere in the world
(Form No. 1, third page).
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VII. FEES accompany this Form
VIII. SUPPLEMENTAL BOX*
IX. SIGNATURE(S) ....................... [Applicant(s)/Agent**] ......................... Date
....................... [Applicant(s)/Agent**] ........................ Date
*Use this box if any of the boxes is not large enough to contain information to be furnished. Indicate the boxes continued in this box by their Roman numerals and title [e.g., “II. APPLICANT(S) (continued)”]. **Type name(s) under signature and delete whichever does not apply.
TO BE FILLED IN BY THE CONTROLLER
1. Date application received:
2. Date of receipt of corrections and later filed papers completing the application:
3. Date fees received:
(Form No. 1, fourth and last page).
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
L.R.O. 1/2006
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FORM NO. 2
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Form No. 2 LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF LAYOUT-DESIGN
In accordance with section 9(2) and (3) and Rule 13, it is hereby certified that a layout-design having the registration No. ......................................... has been registered for:
Name:
Address:
on ......................................................................................................(date) in respect of a layout-design disclosed in an application for registration of that layout-design, having the following:
filing date:
date of first commercial exploitation:
being a layout-design for: .................................................................... (title)
created by:
Name:
Address:
A drawing of the layout-design accompanies this Certificate.
Date .................................................... ........................................................... Controller
(Form No. 2, only page).
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
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FORM NO. 3
* Delete whichever does not apply. ** Indicate application or title concerned.
(Form No. 3, first page).
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Form No. 3 [Rule 15(1)] For Official Use LAYOUT-DESIGNS (TOPOGRAPHIES) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS ACT Received on:
RECORDAL OF CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP
To: The Controller Intellectual Property Office
Applicant’s or Representative’s File Reference:
I. IN THE MATTER OF:
Application for Registration Filing Date: of Layout-Design No.:
Date of first commercial exploitation:
Layout-Design No.: Date of Registration:
II. APPLICANT(S)/OWNER(S)*
Name:
Address:
III. REQUEST
The Controller is hereby requested to record the change in ownership of the
above-identified ...................................................................... **
The present applicant(s)/owner(s)* is/are identified above.
The new applicant(s)/new owner(s)* is/are identified below.
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UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
L.R.O. 1/2006
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IV. NEW APPLICANT(S)/NEW OWNER(S)*
Name:
Address:
Address for service in Trinidad and Tobago:
Nationality:
Country of residence or principal place of business:
Tel. No.: Telegraphic Address: Telex No.: Fax No.:
V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The following items accompany this Form:
The original or a certified copy of the document evidencing the change of ownership, signed by or on behalf of the contracting parties
other documents evidencing the change in ownership (specify)
fees
other (specify)
VI. SIGNATURES
..................................... [New Applicant(s)/New Owner(s)/Agent**] ................
..................................... [New Applicant(s)/New Owner(s)/Agent**] ................
..................................... [Applicant(s)/Owner(s)/Agent**] ..................
..................................... [Applicant(s)/Owner(s)/Agent**] ..................
* Delete whichever does not apply. ** Delete whichever does not apply and type name(s) under signature.
(Form No. 3, second and last page).
Date
Date
Date
Date
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2007
Loi de 1996 sur les schémas de configuration (topographies) de circuits intégrés*
(no 19 de 1996)
TABLE DES MATIÈRES
Article
Titre abrégé et entrée en vigueur...................................................................................... 1er
Interprétation ....................................................................................................................... 2
Protection ............................................................................................................................ 3
Originalité............................................................................................................................ 4
Droit à la protection............................................................................................................. 5
Effets de la protection ......................................................................................................... 6
Commencement et durée de la protection ........................................................................... 7
Exigences relatives au dépôt ............................................................................................... 8
Registre; enregistrement et publication............................................................................... 9
Droit au transfert; rectification du registre ........................................................................ 10
Changements de propriété; licences contractuelles........................................................... 11
Radiation ........................................................................................................................... 12
Représentation................................................................................................................... 13
Atteintes aux droits; sanction du droit exclusif................................................................. 14
Délits ................................................................................................................................. 15
Exploitation par un organisme public ou un tiers ............................................................. 16
* Titre abrégé anglais : The Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Act, 1996. Entrée en vigueur : 1er décembre 1997. Source : Supplément juridique, partie A, de la Trinidad and Tobago Gazette, vol. 35, no 156, du 6 août 1996. Note : traduction du Bureau international de l’OMPI.
Exercice de pouvoirs discrétionnaires; prolongation des délais........................................ 17
Compétence du tribunal; recours....................................................................................... 18
Application des traités internationaux............................................................................... 19
Règlement d’application ................................................................................................... 20
Loi visant à protéger les schémas de configuration (topographies) de circuits intégrés
Titre abrégé et entrée en vigueur Art. 1er.—1) La présente loi peut être citée sous le nom de «loi de 1996 sur les
schémas de configuration (topographies) de circuits intégrés».
2) La présente loi entrera en vigueur à la date que le président fixera par décret.
Interprétation Art. 2. Dans la présente loi, «contrôleur» s’entend du contrôleur de l’Office de la propriété intellectuelle
nommé en vertu de l’article 3 de la loi sur les brevets [Patents Act] et toute mention du contrôleur doit s’entendre comme s’étendant aussi à tout fonctionnaire exerçant les fonctions du contrôleur;
«tribunal» s’entend de la Haute Cour;
«circuit intégré» s’entend d’un produit, sous sa forme finale ou sous une forme intermédiaire, dans lequel les éléments, dont l’un au moins est un élément actif, et tout ou partie des interconnexions font partie intégrante du corps ou de la surface d’une pièce de matériau et qui est destiné à accomplir une fonction électronique;
«schéma de configuration» (synonyme de «topographie») s’entend de la disposition tridimensionnelle—quelle que soit son expression—des éléments, dont l’un au moins est un élément actif, et de tout ou partie des interconnexions d’un circuit intégré, ou d’une telle disposition tridimensionnelle préparée pour un circuit intégré destiné à être fabriqué;
«ministre» s’entend du ministre auquel est dévolue la responsabilité de la propriété intellectuelle;
«registre» s’entend du registre des schémas de configuration (topographies) de circuits intégrés;
«titulaire» s’entend de la personne qui doit être considérée comme bénéficiaire de la protection visée à l’article 6.
Protection
Art. 3.—1) Les schémas de configuration de circuits intégrés peuvent être protégés en vertu de la présente loi si, et dans la mesure où, ils sont originaux au sens de l’article 4.
2) Un enregistrement ne peut être demandé que si le schéma de configuration n’a pas encore fait l’objet d’une exploitation commerciale, ou s’il a fait l’objet d’une telle exploitation depuis deux ans au plus, où que ce soit dans le monde.
3) La protection conférée par la présente loi ne s’applique pas aux schémas de configuration qui ont fait l’objet d’une exploitation commerciale, où que ce soit dans le monde, pendant au moins deux années avant l’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi.
Originalité Art. 4.—1) Un schéma de configuration est réputé original s’il est le fruit de l’effort
intellectuel de son créateur et si, au moment de sa création, il n’est pas courant pour les créateurs de schémas de configuration et les fabricants de circuits intégrés.
2) Un schéma de configuration qui consiste en une combinaison d’éléments et d’interconnexions qui sont courants n’est protégé que si la combinaison, prise dans son ensemble, est originale au sens de l’alinéa 1).
Droit à la protection Art. 5.—1) Le droit à la protection du schéma de configuration appartient au
créateur du schéma et peut être cédé ou transféré par voie de succession.
2) Lorsque plusieurs personnes ont créé en commun un schéma de configuration, le droit leur appartient en commun.
3) Lorsque le schéma de configuration a été créé en exécution d’un contrat d’entreprise ou de travail, le droit à la protection appartient, sauf dispositions contractuelles contraires, au maître de l’ouvrage ou à l’employeur.
Effets de la protection Art. 6.—1) La protection conférée en vertu de la présente loi est indépendante du
fait que le circuit intégré qui incorpore le schéma de configuration protégé est ou n’est pas lui-même incorporé dans un article.
2) Sous réserve de l’alinéa 3) et de l’article14 , sont illégaux les actes ci-après qui sont accomplis sans l’autorisation du titulaire :
a) reproduire, que ce soit par incorporation dans un circuit intégré ou autrement, la totalité du schéma de configuration protégé ou une partie de celui-ci, sauf s’il s’agit de reproduire une partie qui ne satisfait pas à l’exigence d’originalité visée à l’article4 ;
b) importer, vendre ou distribuer de toute autre manière, à des fins commerciales, le schéma de configuration protégé, un circuit intégré dans lequel le schéma de configuration protégé est incorporé ou un article
incorporant un tel circuit intégré dans la mesure où il continue de contenir un schéma de configuration reproduit de manière illicite.
3) La protection conférée à un schéma de configuration en vertu de la présente loi ne s’étend pas
a) à la reproduction du schéma de configuration protégé à des fins privées ou à seule fin d’évaluation, d’analyse, de recherche ou d’enseignement;
b) à l’incorporation, dans un circuit intégré, d’un schéma de configuration créé sur la base d’une telle analyse ou évaluation et présentant lui-même une originalité au sens de l’article4 , ni à l’accomplissement, à l’égard de ce schéma de configuration, de l’un quelconque des actes visés à l’alinéa 2);
c) à l’accomplissement de l’un quelconque des actes visés à l’alinéa 2)b), lorsque l’acte est accompli à l’égard d’un schéma de configuration protégé, ou d’un circuit intégré dans lequel un tel schéma de configuration est incorporé, qui a été mis sur le marché par le titulaire ou avec son consentement;
d) à l’accomplissement de l’un quelconque des actes visés à l’alinéa 2)b) à l’égard d’un circuit intégré incorporant un schéma de configuration reproduit de façon illicite ou d’un quelconque article incorporant un tel circuit intégré, lorsque la personne accomplissant ou faisant accomplir cet acte ne savait pas et n’avait pas de raison valable de savoir, en achetant le circuit intégré ou l’article incorporant un tel circuit intégré, qu’il incorporait un schéma de configuration reproduit de façon illicite; cependant, une fois cette personne dûment avisée que le schéma de configuration a été reproduit de façon illicite, elle pourra accomplir l’un quelconque de ces actes à l’égard des seuls stocks dont elle disposait ou qu’elle avait commandés avant d’être ainsi avisée et sera tenue de verser au titulaire une somme équivalant à la redevance raisonnable qui serait exigible dans le cadre d’une licence librement négociée pour un tel schéma de configuration;
e) à l’accomplissement de l’un quelconque des actes visés à l’alinéa 2)b) lorsque l’acte est accompli à l’égard d’un schéma de configuration original identique qui a été créé indépendamment par un tiers.
Commencement et durée de la protection Art. 7. — 1) La protection conférée à un schéma de configuration en vertu de la
présente loi prend effet
a) à la date de la première exploitation commerciale du schéma de configuration, où que ce soit dans le monde, par le titulaire ou avec son consentement, à condition qu’une demande de protection soit déposée par le titulaire auprès du contrôleur dans le délai visé à l’article3.2) ; ou
b) à la date de dépôt attribuée à la demande d’enregistrement du schéma de configuration déposée par le titulaire, si le schéma de configuration n’a pas
fait l’objet auparavant d’une exploitation commerciale où que ce soit dans le monde.
2) La protection conférée à un schéma de configuration en vertu de la présente loi cesse à la fin de la dixième année civile qui suit la date à laquelle elle a pris effet.
Exigences relatives au dépôt Art. 8.—1) La demande d’enregistrement d’un schéma de configuration doit revêtir
la forme écrite et être déposée auprès du contrôleur.
2) Pour chaque schéma de configuration, il y a lieu de déposer une demande distincte.
3) La demande doit
a) contenir une requête en enregistrement du schéma de configuration au registre, ainsi qu’une description brève et précise du schéma;
b) indiquer le nom, l’adresse, la nationalité et, si elle est différente de l’adresse indiquée, l’adresse de la résidence habituelle du déposant;
c) être accompagnée du pouvoir du mandataire éventuel du déposant; d) être accompagnée d’une copie ou d’un dessin du schéma de configuration,
ainsi que d’informations définissant la fonction électronique que le circuit intégré est destiné à accomplir; toutefois, le déposant peut exclure de la copie ou du dessin les parties qui se rapportent à la façon de fabriquer le circuit intégré, à condition que les parties présentées suffisent à permettre l’identification du schéma de configuration;
e) préciser la date de la première exploitation commerciale du schéma de configuration où que ce soit dans le monde ou indiquer que cette exploitation n’a pas commencé;
f) fournir des éléments établissant le droit à la protection visé à l’article5 . 4) Lorsque la demande ne satisfait pas aux exigences de l’alinéa 3), le contrôleur
notifie immédiatement les irrégularités au déposant et l’invite à les corriger dans un délai de deux mois.
5) Si les irrégularités sont corrigées dans le délai mentionné à l’alinéa 4), le contrôleur attribue comme date de dépôt la date de réception de la demande, à condition que, au jour de sa réception, la demande contienne une déclaration expresse ou implicite selon laquelle l’enregistrement d’un schéma de configuration est demandé et des indications permettant d’établir l’identité du déposant, et qu’elle soit accompagnée d’une copie ou d’un dessin du schéma de configuration.
6) Si les conditions visées à l’alinéa 5) ne sont pas remplies à la date de réception de la demande mais qu’elles le sont dans le délai prescrit, la date de réception de la communication correspondante est réputée être la date de dépôt de la demande.
7) Le contrôleur confirme la date de dépôt et la communique au déposant.
8) Si les irrégularités ne sont pas corrigées dans le délai prescrit, la demande est réputée non déposée.
9) Toute demande de protection d’un schéma de configuration donne lieu au paiement de la taxe prescrite.
10) Si la taxe n’est pas acquittée, le contrôleur notifie au déposant que la demande sera réputée non déposée si le paiement n’est pas effectué dans un délai de deux mois à compter de la date de la notification. Si la taxe de dépôt n’est pas acquittée dans ce délai, la demande est effectivement réputée non déposée.
Registre; enregistrement et publication Art. 9.—1) Le contrôleur tient un registre dans lequel il effectue toutes les
inscriptions prévues dans la présente loi.
2) Lorsque la demande satisfait aux exigences de l’article8 , le contrôleur enregistre le schéma de configuration dans le registre sans procéder à l’examen de l’originalité, du droit du déposant à la protection ou de l’exactitude des faits exposés dans la demande.
3) Le registre contient le numéro, le titre, la date de dépôt et, lorsqu’elle est indiquée dans la demande en vertu de l’article8.3)e), la date de la première exploitation commerciale du schéma de configuration, où que ce soit dans le monde, ainsi que les nom et adresse du titulaire et les autres éléments prescrits.
4) Toute personne peut consulter le registre et en obtenir des extraits, sous réserve du paiement de la taxe prescrite.
5) L’enregistrement d’un schéma de configuration fait l’objet d’une publication de la manière prescrite.
Droit au transfert; rectification du registre Art. 10.—1) Lorsque le contenu essentiel de la demande a été emprunté au schéma
de configuration d’un tiers sans son consentement, ce tiers peut, par requête écrite, demander au contrôleur de lui transférer la demande.
2) Lorsque la demande a déjà donné lieu à un enregistrement, ce tiers peut, dans un délai de trois ans à compter de la publication de l’enregistrement, par requête écrite, demander au contrôleur de lui transférer l’enregistrement et de rectifier le registre en conséquence.
3) Le contrôleur expédie aussitôt une copie de la requête au titulaire; celui-ci peut, dans le délai prescrit et de la manière prescrite, faire parvenir au contrôleur un mémoire exposant ses moyens de défense.
4) Lorsque le titulaire envoie un tel mémoire, le contrôleur en remet copie à l’auteur de la requête et, après avoir procédé à l’audition des parties, si l’une ou l’autre ou les deux veulent être entendues, et à un examen quant au fond, il décide s’il convient de transférer la demande ou l’enregistrement et, le cas échéant, de rectifier le registre.
Changements de propriété; licences contractuelles Art. 11.—1) Tout changement de propriété d’un schéma de configuration protégé
doit être consigné par écrit.
2) Une fois le schéma de configuration enregistré, le changement de propriété doit, sur requête de l’intéressé présentée au contrôleur, être inscrit au registre et publié par le contrôleur; ce changement n’a d’effet à l’égard des tiers qu’une fois l’inscription effectuée.
3) Tout contrat de licence concernant un schéma de configuration doit, au moment de l’enregistrement de ce dernier, être communiqué au contrôleur, qui en garde le contenu secret mais publie un avis y relatif; ce contrat de licence n’a d’effet à l’égard des tiers qu’une fois cette formalité accomplie.
Radiation Art. 12.—1) Toute personne intéressée peut demander au tribunal la radiation d’un
schéma de configuration du registre au motif que
a) le schéma de configuration ne peut être protégé en vertu des articles 3 et 4; b) le titulaire n’a pas qualité pour bénéficier de la protection prévue à l’article5 ; c) si le schéma de configuration a fait l’objet d’une exploitation commerciale,
où que ce soit dans le monde, avant le dépôt de la demande d’enregistrement le concernant, cette demande n’a pas été déposée dans le délai prescrit aux articles 3.2) et 7.1)a).
2) Si les motifs de radiation n’affectent qu’une partie du schéma de configuration, la radiation n’est opérée que dans la mesure correspondante.
3) Tout enregistrement ou partie d’enregistrement d’un schéma de configuration radié est réputé nul à compter de la date à laquelle la protection a pris effet.
4) Le greffier du tribunal informe le contrôleur de la décision du tribunal ou du jugement en appel d’une décision du tribunal; le contrôleur l’enregistre et publie un avis y relatif dès que possible.
Représentation Art. 13. Lorsque le domicile habituel ou l’établissement principal d’un déposant
n’est pas à la Trinité-et-Tobago, le déposant doit être représenté par un avocat domicilié et exerçant dans ce pays.
Atteintes aux droits; sanction du droit exclusif Art. 14.—1) Constitue une atteinte aux droits attachés à un schéma de configuration
l’accomplissement de l’un quelconque des actes qualifiés d’illégaux par l’article6 .
2) Sur requête du titulaire, ou de son preneur de licence si celui-ci a demandé au titulaire d’engager une action en justice en vue d’obtenir une réparation déterminée et si le titulaire a refusé ou omis de le faire dans un délai raisonnable, le tribunal peut ordonner toute mesure destinée à faire cesser une atteinte ou à prévenir une atteinte imminente, accorder des dommages-intérêts et prononcer toute autre sanction prévue par le droit.
3) Toute action visée à l’alinéa 2) ne peut être intentée qu’après le dépôt d’une demande d’enregistrement du schéma de configuration auprès du contrôleur.
Délits Art. 15. Quiconque, sciemment et sans autorisation, accomplit l’un quelconque des
actes qualifiés d’illégaux par l’article 6 se rend coupable d’un délit passible, sur condamnation à la suite d’une procédure en forme simplifiée, d’une amende de 10 000 dollars et d’un emprisonnement de cinq ans; le tribunal peut aussi ordonner la saisie, la confiscation et la destruction des schémas de configuration, circuits intégrés ou articles incriminés et de tous matériaux ou instruments ayant servi principalement à la commission du délit.
Exploitation par un organisme public ou un tiers Art. 16.—1) Lorsque a) l’intérêt public, notamment la sécurité nationale, l’alimentation, la santé ou
d’autres secteurs vitaux de l’économie nationale exigent l’exploitation d’un schéma de configuration protégé à des fins publiques non commerciales; ou que
b) un organe judiciaire ou administratif juge anticoncurrentielles les modalités d’exploitation, par le titulaire ou son preneur de licence, d’un schéma de configuration protégé et le ministre est convaincu que l’exploitation du schéma de configuration conformément au présent article mettrait fin à ces pratiques,
le ministre peut décider que, même sans l’autorisation du titulaire, un organisme public ou un tiers qu’il a désigné peut exploiter le schéma de configuration.
2) L’autorisation d’exploitation
a) est limitée, dans sa portée et sa durée, à l’objet pour lequel elle a été délivrée; b) est destinée principalement à l’approvisionnement du marché intérieur; c) est non exclusive; d) donne lieu au paiement, à la personne du titulaire, d’une rémunération
appropriée tenant compte de la valeur économique de l’autorisation ministérielle, telle qu’elle est déterminée dans la décision du ministre et, le cas échéant, de la nécessité de lutter contre les pratiques anticoncurrentielles.
3) Sur requête du titulaire ou du bénéficiaire de l’autorisation, le ministre peut, après audition des parties, si l’une ou les deux souhaitent être entendues, modifier la
décision autorisant l’exploitation du schéma de configuration dans la mesure justifiée par les circonstances.
4) Sur requête du titulaire, le ministre retire la licence non volontaire s’il est convaincu que les circonstances ayant conduit à sa décision ont cessé d’exister et ne sont pas susceptibles de se reproduire, ou que le bénéficiaire de l’autorisation n’en a pas respecté les termes.
5) Nonobstant les dispositions de l’alinéa 4), le ministre ne retire pas l’autorisation s’il est convaincu que la protection des intérêts légitimes du bénéficiaire de l’autorisation justifie le maintien de cette dernière.
6) Lorsqu’un tiers a été désigné par le ministre conformément à l’alinéa 1), l’autorisation ne peut être transférée qu’avec l’entreprise du bénéficiaire de l’autorisation ou la partie de l’entreprise dans laquelle le schéma de configuration est exploité.
7) La requête sollicitant l’autorisation du ministre doit être accompagnée de preuves attestant que le titulaire a reçu, de la part de l’auteur de la requête, une demande de licence contractuelle, mais que celui-ci n’a pas pu obtenir la licence à des conditions commerciales raisonnables et dans un délai raisonnable.
8) Les décisions du ministre prises en vertu du présent article sont susceptibles de recours devant le tribunal.
Exercice de pouvoirs discrétionnaires; prolongation des délais Art. 17. — 1) Avant d’exercer, à l’encontre d’une partie à une procédure se
déroulant devant lui, un des pouvoirs discrétionnaires qui lui sont conférés par la présente loi, le contrôleur donne à cette partie la possibilité de se faire entendre.
2) Si le contrôleur est convaincu que les circonstances le justifient, il peut, sur requête écrite, prolonger le délai imparti pour accomplir quelque acte que ce soit à l’exception du délai prévu aux articles 3.2) et 7.1)a), pour le dépôt d’une demande ou pour engager toute procédure en vertu de la présente loi, par notification adressée aux parties intéressées et selon les modalités qu’il fixe; la prolongation peut être accordée même si le délai imparti pour accomplir l’acte ou engager la procédure est expiré.
Compétence du tribunal; recours Art. 18.—1) Le tribunal connaît des litiges relatifs à l’application de la présente loi
et des questions qui doivent être portées devant la justice en vertu de la présente loi.
2) Toute décision prise par le contrôleur en vertu de la présente loi, en particulier l’enregistrement d’un schéma de configuration, peut être contestée par toute partie intéressée devant le tribunal; le recours doit être formé dans un délai de deux mois à compter de la date de la décision contestée.
Application des traités internationaux
Art. 19. Les dispositions de tous traités internationaux en matière de propriété intellectuelle auxquels la Trinité-et-Tobago est partie sont applicables aux questions régies par la présente loi et, en cas de conflit avec les dispositions de la présente loi, elles priment sur ces dernières.
Règlement d’application Art. 20. Le ministre peut établir un règlement d’application prescrivant toutes les
dispositions qui sont requises ou permises par la présente loi, ou qu’il est nécessaire ou opportun de prescrire aux fins de la présente loi.