德国专利间接侵权制度与判决解析

Indirect Infringement in German Patent Law and the Analysis of Relevant Cases

德国专利间接侵权制度于1981年在专利法修改时设立,主要为了规制帮助型间接侵权。其客观前提要求间接侵权人所提供物品与发明主要要素相关联,主观前提要求间接侵权人两个方面的明知,即对于物品适于在专利实施中使用的明知及对买受人有意图对物品以实施专利的方式加以使用的明知。客观要件的判断标准为物品通过与其他元素共同作用在功能上实现发明思想,能够为问题的解决作出贡献。主观要件是否成立通常通过推定来证明,其规则为是否存在明显的客观情形可以让间接侵权人有充分、肯定的预期,认定买受人在许诺提供或者提供物品的时刻存在以实施专利的方式加以使用的意图。在法律后果方面,权利人可请求间接侵权人停止侵权、损害赔偿。

Indirect infringement was introduced to German Patent Law in 1981 with the main objective to govern contributory patent infringement. The objective prerequisites of indirect patent infringement include the means supplied by the indirect infringer being related to an essential element of the invention. The subjective prerequisites are the twofold knowledge of the contributor regarding the suitability of these means for the implementation of the invention and the receiver’s intention to use these means in the patented manner. The fulfllment of the objective means is judged by the standard of whether these means may functionally interact with other elements to realize the idea of the invention and are therefore contributing to resolve the problem. The examination of the subjective prerequisites is usually accomplished by presumption. The applicable rule lies in the existence of obvious objective circumstances, under which the supplier can reasonably expect the receiver to use the means in the patented manner at the moment of supply or offer for sale. Regarding remedies, the patentee is entitled to apply for injunction and damages in money.