论知识产权的地域性和域外效力

Territoriality and Extraterritoriality of Intellectual Property

目前理论界和实务界对于知识产权地域性的理解并不清晰,而这关系到涉外纠纷中知识产权法的适用和实施,因此有必要厘定知识产权地域性的内涵和外延。地域性也称为属地性,其不是一个绝对的概念,并不排斥域外效力在某些情形下存在。随着全球化的发展,属地性处于不断削弱的状态。域外效力作为属地性的对立概念,应分成两个层面:积极域外效力和消极域外效力,前者体现于本国规范管辖权的主动扩张,后者体现于本国法律被他国被动认可。知识产权法的地域性比其他私法的属地性更严格,原因在于知识产权是公共政策的产物,但其私权属性也不断增强。知识产权的地域性特征不再体现于权利在域外的非延续性,而主要体现于其在各国具有独立性和保护程度的差异性,这两种地域性特征也存在削弱的趋势。知识产权的积极域外效力可以基于效果原则而存在,其主要在于防止"竞次"现象,保障权利人的合法利益。基于国际合作的需要,各国也逐渐接受知识产权的消极域外效力。知识产权的国际私法制度将是一块重要的国际规则,我国应适当地对待知识产权的地域性和域外效力。

Territoriality and extraterritoriality of intellectual property are not well understood, which affects application and enforcement of intellectual property in foreign disputes. Territoriality is not an absolutely concept, which does not exclude extraterritoriality under some circumstances. With development of globalization, territoriality is on the decline. Extraterritoriality can be classified into two concepts： positive extraterritoriality and passive extraterritoriality. The former embodies the expansion of prescriptive jurisdiction, and the latter embodies the acceptance of domestic law by other countries. Territoriality of intellectual property is more strict than other areas, because IP is product of public policy, however, its private nature is on the rise. IP includes two characteristics：independence and discrepancy of protection in different countries, while the feature of non-extension is no longer embodied. Positive extraterritoriality of IP exists based on the effect principle, which aims to prevent race to the bottom, and provide sufficient protection for right holders. Passive extraterritoriality is increasingly accepted by many countries. Private international law of IP is in the course of shaping, and China should properly treat territoriality and extraterritoriality of IP.