美国专利侵权惩罚性赔偿制度及其启示

On the System of Punitive Damages of Patent Infringement in the U.S. and its Enlightenment

美国1793年《专利法》规定了三倍赔偿。之后,随着社会发展不断进行修改。惩罚性赔偿标准由宽松逐渐走向严格。美国法院则在长期的司法实践中,通过一系列判例确立了适用惩罚性赔偿的具体规则。昆腾困境从产生到破解,增加了故意侵权的认定难度,证明故意侵权的举证责任更多地分配给了专利权人,加强了对律师客户保密特权的保护。我国应借鉴美国经验,在《专利法》中明确规定惩罚性赔偿,对故意和重大过失专利侵权,法院可以在补偿性赔偿的三倍以内,根据案件情节自由裁量赔偿额,以发挥民事责任惩罚、遏制专利侵权行为的功能,有效地保护专利权人的合法利益。

Treble Damages was provided in Patent Act of 1973 in the United States and was constantly amended as social development. The standard of punitive damage has developed gradually from loose to rigorous. During long - term judicatory practice, courts of the United States established specific rules applied to punitive damage through a series of cases. Quantum dilemma＇ s emergence to resolution increased the difficulty of affirmation of willful infringement, the burden of proof of willful infringement was distributed more to the patentee, strengthened the protection of attorney - client privilege. China shall refer to America＇s experience and specify punitive damage in Patent Law. As to willful and gross negligence patent infringement, courts determine the amount of damages up to three times of compensatory damages according to the circumstances of the case. This will help perform the function of civil liability to punish and deter patent infringement, and effectively protect patentee＇s lawful interest.