WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DUCOMMERCEIP/N/1/SWE/D/1
29April 1996
ORGANIZACI ÓNMUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO(96-1633)
Council forTrade-Related Aspects Original: English/
ofIntellectual Property Rights anglais/
inglés
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS AND REGULATIONS
NOTIFIED UNDER ARTICLE 63.2OFTHE AGREEMENT
Sweden
Thepresent document reproduces1theDesign Protection Act1953(1970:485), asnotified by
Sweden under Article 63.2oftheAgreement (seedocument IP/N/1/SWE/1).
Conseil desaspects desdroits depropriété
intellectuelle quitouchent aucommerce
PRINCIPALES LOIS ETREGLEMENTATIONS CONSACREES ALA
PROPRIETE INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIEES AUTITRE
DEL'ARTICLE 63:2DEL'ACCORD
Suède
Leprésent document contient letexte1delaLoide1953surlaprotection desdessins etmodèles
(1970:485), notifiée parlaSuède autitredel'article 63:2del'Accord (voirledocument IP/N/1/SWE/1).
Consejo delosAspectos delosDerechos dePropiedad
Intelectual relacionados conelComercio
PRINCIPALES LEYES YREGLAMENTOS DEDICADOS ALA
PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS ENVIRTUD
DEL PÁRRAFO 2DEL ARTÍCULO 63DEL ACUERDO
Suecia
Enelpresente documento sereproduce1laLeydeProtección delosDibujos yModelos de
1953 (1970:485), notificada porSuecia deconformidad conelpárrafo 2delartículo 63delAcuerdo
(véase eldocumento IP/N/1/SWE/1).
1English only/anglais seulement/inglés solamente .IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page2
THE MINISTRY OFJUSTICE
Stockholm
DESIGN PROTECTION ACT
(ActNo1970:485 ofJune29,1970, aslastamended byActNo1994:235, ofApril 14,1994).
General Provisions
Article 1.Forthepurposes ofthisActa"design" istobeunderstood astheprototype fortheshape
ofaproduct orforanornament.
Theperson whohascreated adesign, orhissuccessor intitle,mayobtain, through registration, an
exclusive righttoexploit thedesign according tothisAct(design right).
Article 2.Adesign mayberegistereed onlyifitsubstantially differs from whathasbecome known
before thedateofthefiling oftheapplication forregistration.
As"known" shallbeconsidered everything thathasbeenmade generally available, regardless ofwhether
thishasoccurred through areproduction, exhibition, putting onsaleorinanyother manner. Also
adesign which hasnotbeenmade generally available shallbeconsidered asknown ifthedesign appears
inanapplication inthiscountry forapatent orifanapplication fortheregistration ofatrademark
oradesign, which is,or,according towhatisprescribed intherelevant provisions, shallbeconsidered
tohavebeenmade before thedateindicated inthefirstparagraph, andthedesign thereafter ismade
generally available inthecourse oftheexamination oftheapplication.
Article 3.Adesign mayberegistered notwithstanding thefactthatishasbeenmade generally available
1.asaconsequence ofanobvious abuse inrelation totheapplicant ortoaperson fromwhom hederives
hisright,
2.through thefactthattheapplicant oraperson from whom hederives hisright hasdisplayed the
design atanofficial, orofficially recognized, international exhibition.
Article 4.Adesign maynotberegistered
1.where thedesign oritsuseiscontrary tomorality orpublic order,
2.ifinthedesign hasbeenincluded, without authorization,
a)aStatecoatofarms, aStateflagoranother Stateemblem, aStatecontrol orguarantee warrant,
another designation which alludes ontheSwedish Stateandthereby givesthedesign anofficial character,
aSwedish municipal coatofarms orsuchaninternational designation which isprotected under the
Act(1970:498) ontheProtection ofCoats ofArms andCertain Other Official Designations, oranything
thatmaybeeasily confused withacoatofarms, aflag,anemblem oradesignation asreferred to
above,
b)anything thatmaybeperceived asthedenomination ofafoundation, anon-profit organization
orasimilar association orasanother person 'strade name ortrade symbol protected inthiscountry,
orasanother signwhich hasbeenestablished onthemarket foranother person inthiscountry inthe
course ofbusiness activities,
c)another person 'sportrait oranything thatmaybeperceived asanother person 'sfamily name,
artistic name orsimilar name, unless theportrait orthename obviously relates toaperson whoislong
deceased,IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page3
d)anything thanmaybeperceived asanother person 'sliterary orartistic work protected inthis
country, where thetitleisdistinctive, oranything thatviolates another person 'scopyright insucha
work orinaphotographic picture which isprotected inthiscountry,
e)anything thatdoesnotsubstantially differ fromadesign which isregistered inthiscountry for
another person.
Article 5.Therightinadesign shall, withthelimitations mentioned below, imply thatnoother person
is,without theauthorization oftheholder oftheright inthedesign (thedesign holder), allowed to
exploit thedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities through themanufacture, theimport intoSweden,
theoffering forsale,selling, transfer orrental ofaproduct theappearance ofwhich doesnotsubstantially
differ fromthedesign orwhich incorporates something thatdoesnotsubstantially differ fromthedesign.
Therightinadesign applies onlytothegoods forwhich thedesign hasbeenregistreed, orforsimilar
goods.
Therightinadesign doesnotapply totheuseofagoods which havebeenputonthemarket within
theEuropean Economic Area bythedesign holder orwithhisconsent.
Article 6.Aperson whoexploited thedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities inthiscountry when
theapplicationfortheregistrationofthedesignwasmademay,notwithstandingthedesignright,continue
theexploitation ofthedesign while maintaining itsessential features, iftheexploitation didnotamount
toanobvious misuse inrelation totheapplicant orsomeone from whom hederives hisright. Such
aright ofexploitation shallbeaccorded alsotoanyperson whohastaken substantial steps forthe
exploitation ofthedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities inthiscountry.
Therightunder thefirstparagraph maybetransferred toanother person onlytogether withthebusiness
activity inwhich therightcame intoexistence orwhere theexploitation wasintended totakeplace.
Article7.TheGovernmentmayprescribethatsparepartsoraccessoriestoaircraftsmay,notwithstanding
thedesign right, beimported intothecountry foruseintherepair ofanaircraft domiciled inaforeign
country which grants similar advantages inrespect ofaSwedish aircraft.
Article 8.TheGovernment mayprescribe thatanapplication fortheregistration ofadesign, which
hasbeenearlier included inanapplication outside thiscountry, shall, forthepurposes ofArticles 2
and6,where theapplicant sorequests, beconsidered ashaving beenmade atthesame timeasthe
application outside thiscountry.
TheApplication anditsExamination
Article 9.ThePatent andRegistration Office istheRegistration Authority.
Article 10.Anyapplication forregistration ofadesign shallbemade inwriting totheRegistration
Authority.
Theapplication shallcontain anindication ofthegoods forwhich theregistration ofthedesign issought.
Theapplication shallindicate thecreator ofthedesign. Where registration ifsought foraperson other
thantheonewhocreated thedesign, theapplicant shallprove hisrightinthatdesign.
Totheapplication shallbeattached apicture showing thedesign. Where theapplicant, before the
publication oftheapplication, filesalsoamodel, thatmodel shallbeconsidered asshowing thedesign.
Totheapplication shallfurthermore beattached adeclaration signed bytheapplicant himself, onhis
faithandhonor, totheeffect thatthedesign, tothebestknowledge oftheapplicant, hasnotbeforeIP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page4
thedateofthefiling oftheapplication orthedatewhen theapplication, under Article 8,shallbe
considered ashaving beenmade, beenmade known insuchawaywhich under Articles 2and3would
prevent theregistration.
Theapplicant shallpaytheapplication feesandtheadditional feesprescribed inArticle 48.
Article 11.Anapplication mayinclude several designs, where thegoods forwhich registration ofthe
designs issought areinterconnected asregards themanufacture andtheexploitation. Anapplication
forsuchajointregistration mayinclude nomore than20designs andmaynotrefertoornaments.
Article 12.Anapplicant whoisnotdomiciled inSweden shallhavearepresentative resident herewho
isempowered torepresent himinallmatters relating totheapplication.
Article 13.Anapplication fortheregistration ofadesign shallnotbeconsidered ashaving beenmade
untiltheapplicant haspresented apicture oramodel showing thedesign.
Theapplication maynotbealtered soastorefertoanother design oranother goods thancontained
intheoriginal application.
Article 14.Inthecourse oftheexamination oftheapplication forregistration ofadesign, the
Registration Authority shall, totheextent prescribed bytheGovernment, examine iftherequirements
forobtaining aregistration ofthedesign arefulfilled. Ittheapplicant hasnotcomplied withthe
provisions governing theapplication oriftheAuthority otherwise considers thatthere isanobstacle
fortheapproval oftheapplication, theapplicant shallbeinvited tosubmit, within adetermined period
oftime, either astatement oracorrection.
Where theapplicant doesnot,within theprescribed period oftime, submit astatement ortakemeasures
toremedy thedeficiency indicated, theapplication shallberemoved from thefiles. Thispossibility
shallbeindicated intheinvitation.
Anapplication which hasbeenremoved fromthefilesmaybereinstated where theapplicant, within
twomonths, submits astatement ortakesmeasures toremedy thedeficiency andwithin thesameperiod
oftimepaystheprescribed reinstatement fee.Areinstatement maybemade onlyonce.
Article 15.Ifthere isanobstacle totheregistration evenafterastatement hasbeensubmitted and
iftheapplicant hasbeengiven anopportunity tofileastatement concerning theobstacle, theappliction
shallberejected, unless there isareason forissuing anewinvitation totheapplicant.
Article 16.Ifanyone claims, before theRegistration Authority, thathehasabetter titletothedesign
thantheapplicant andthematter isdoubtful, theAuthority mayinvite himtofileanaction inCourt
within acertain time, failing which hisclaim maybedisregarded inthecourse ofthecontinued
examination oftheapplication.
Where adispute concerning abetter titletothedesign isunder consideration byaCourt, theapplication
forregistration maybedeclared suspended pending afinaldecision inthecase.
Article 17.Ifsomeone proves, before theRegistration Authority, thathehasabetter titletothedesign
thantheapplicant, theAuthority shalltransfer theapplication tohim,ifhesorequests. Theperson
towhom anapplication istransferrred shallpayanewapplication fee.
Ifatransfer isrequested, theapplication maynotbealtered, removed fromthefiles,rejected oraccepted
untiltheclaim hasbeenfinally considered.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page5
Article18.Iftheapplicationdocumentsarecompleteandthereisnoobstacletoeffectingtheregistration,
theRegistration Authority shall publish anotice oftheapplication inorder togivethepublic an
opportunity tofileanopposition against theapplication. Ifaparticular document inthecaseshallbe
keptsecret according towhatisprescribed inArticle 19,thepublication may, however, bedeferred
untilthedocument shallbemade publicly available.
Anyopposition shallbefiledinwriting withtheRegistration Authority within twomonths from the
publication.
Article 19.Where, inacaseconcerning theregistration ofadesign, aparticular document showing
thedesign shallbekeptsecret according towhatisspecifically prescribed inthisrespect, thedocument
maynot,without theconsent oftheapplicant, bemade available untiltheperiod requested byhim
hasexpired oraperiod ofsixmonths haveexpired from thedateofthefiling oftheapplication or,
where priority under Article 8,firstparagraph, hasbeenclaimed, from thedatefrom which priority
hasbeenclaimed. IftheRegistration Authority hasdecided toremove theapplication from thefile,
ortoreject theapplication, before theperiod forsecrecy hasexpired, thedocument maybemade
availableonlywheretheapplicantrequeststheapplicationtobereinstatedorappealsagainstthedecision.
Article 20.After theexpiry oftheperiod prescribed inArticle 18,second paragraph, theexamination
oftheapplication shallcontinue. Asregards thisexamination, theprovisions ofArticles 14to17apply.
Theapplicant shall benotified about anyopposition filed. Where theopposition isnotobviously
groundless, theapplicant shallbegiven anopportunity tomake observations.
Article 21.Afinaldecision bytheRegistration Authority inanymatter concerning theapplication
forregistration ofadesign maybeappealed bytheapplicant ifthedecision goesagainst him.Adecision
under which anapplication hasbeenaccepted inspite ofanopposition filedaccording towhat is
prescribed inthisrespect, maybeappealed bytheperson whohasfiledtheopposition. Even ifthe
opponent withdraws hisappeal, thecasemaystillbebrought toadecision where special reasons for
thisexist.
Adecision whereby arequest forreinstatement asprescribed inArticle 14,thirdparagraph, hasbeen
rejected orarequest foratransfer asprescribed inArticle 17hasbeenaccepted, maybeappealed
byapplicant. Anyperson whohasfiledarequest foratransfer mayappeal adecision under which
therequest hasbeenrejected.
Article 22.Afinaldecision bytheRegistration Authority under Article 21,maybeappealed tothe
Court ofPatent Appeals (Patentbesvärsrätten) within twomonths from thedateofthedecision.
Afinaldecision bytheCourt ofPatent Appeals maybeappealed totheSupreme Administrative Court
(Regeringsrätten)withintwomonthsfromthedateofthedecision.Asregardssuchappealstheprovisions
ofArticles 35to37oftheActonAdministrative Proceedings (Act1971:291) onappeal against decisions
bytheCourt ofAdministrative Appeals shallapply. Thedecision oftheCourt ofPatent Appeals shall
contain anindiction ofthefactthataspecial permission hastobeobtained inorder forthecaseto
bebrought totheSupreme Administrative Court andofthegrounds onwhich suchpermission may
begranted.
Article 23.Where anapplication fortheregistration ofadesign isaccepted andthedecision hastaken
legal force, thedesign shallbeentered intotheDesign Register andanotice oftheregistration be
published.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page6
TheTerm ofValidity ofADesign Registration
Article 24.Aregistration ofadesign isvalid foratermoffiveyears from thedateofthefiling of
theapplication forregistration andmay, upon application, berenewed fortwofurther terms offive
years. Each suchfurther termrunsfrom theexpiry oftheprevious term.
Article 25.Applications forrenewals ofregistrations shallbefiledwiththeRegistration Authority
notearlier thanoneyear, andnotlaterthansixmonths, aftertheexpiry oftheprevious registration
term. Within thesame period, therenewal feesandtheadditional feesprescribed inArticle 48shall
bepaid, failing which theapplication shallberejected.
Anotice oftherenewal ofaregistration shallbepublished.
OnAssignments andLicenses, Etc.
Article 26.Where theowner ofadesign hasgranted someone elsetherighttoexploit thedesign in
thecourse ofbusiness activities (license), thelicensee maytransfer hisrightfurther onlyifthere is
anagreement tothiseffect.
Where thelicense forms partofabusiness activity, itmay, however, betransferred together withthe
activity, unless there isanagreement tothecontrary. Insuchacasethetransferor remains liable for
thefulfilment ofthelicense agreement.
Article 27.Where adesign righthasbeentransferred toanother person, oralicense hasbeengranted
ortransferred, anentry ofthisfactshall, upon request andagainst thepayment oftheprescribed fee,
bemade intheDesign Register. Where itisshown thatalicense recorded intheregister hasexpired,
theentry shallberemoved.
Theprovisions ofthefirstparagraph apply correspondingly alsoinrelation toacompulsory license
andinrelation toarightasprescribed inArticle 32,second paragraph.
Where ajointregistration hasbeeneffecterd, atransfer ofadesign rirhtmayberecorded onlyinrelation
toallthedesigns.
Asthedesign holder shall, forthepurpose oflawsuits orother legalcases relating tothedesign, be
considered theperson whohaslastbeenentered intotheregister inthiscapacity.
Article 28.Anyperson who, inthiscountry, exploited, inthecourse ofbusiness activities, adesign
covered byanapplication forregistration when adocument showing thedesign wasmade publicly
available, may, provided thattheapplication results inaregistration, begranted acompulsory license
fortheexploitation, provided thatthere areextraordinary reasons andhedidnotknow about the
application andcould notreasonably haveobtained suchknowledge. Aright tosuchacompulsory
license may, subject tothesame conditions, begranted alsotoanyperson whohastaken significant
measures inorder toexploit thedesign inbusiness activities inthiscountry. Acompulsory license
mayrelate alsothetimebefore thedesign wasregistered.
Where apublic interest ofanextraordinary character callsforit,aperson whowants toexploit, in
thecourse ofbusiness activities, adesign registered foranother person, maybegranted acompulsory
license forsuchexploitation.
Article 29.Compulsory licenses maynotbegranted topersons other thanthose whocould bepresumed
tobeabletoexploit thedesign inanacceptable manner andinconformity withtheterms ofthelicense.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page7
Acompulsory license doesnotprevent thedesign holder fromexploiting thedesign himself orgranting
alicense inthisrespect. Acompulsory license maybetransferred toanother person onlytogether with
thebusiness activity inwhich itisexploited orintended tobeexploited.
Article 30.Acompulsory license maybegranted byaCourt which alsodecides theextent towhich
adesign maybeexploited anddecides about theremuneration andother conditions forthelicense.
TheCourt mayterminate thelicense ordecide onnewconditions foritwhere substantially altered
circumstances callforit.
OntheTermination ofARegistration
Article 31.Ifadesign hasbeenregistered contrary totheprovisions ofArticles 1to4andtheground
forrefusing theregistration stillexists, theCourt shall, upon thefiling ofanaction inthisrespect,
invalidate theregistration. Aregistration may,however, notbeinvalidated ontheground thattheperson
whohasobtained theregistration isentitled onlytoapartofthedesign right.
Anaction based onthefactthataregistration hasbeeneffected foraperson other thantheonewho
isentitled toitunder Article 1maybefiledonlybytheperson whoclaims tobetheholder ofthe
rightinthedesign. Theaction shallbebrought within oneyearfrom thedateonwhich theplaintiff
became aware oftheregistration andoftheother circumstances onwhich theaction isbased. Ifthe
design holder wasingood faithwhen thedesign wasregistered orwhen therightinthedesign was
transferred tohim,theaction maynotbebrought laterthanthree years from theregistration.
Inother cases anaction maybebrought byanyone whosuffers aninjury from theregistration. An
action based ontheprovisions ofArticle 4,1)or2.a)maybebrought alsobyaPublic Authority as
decided bytheGovernment.
Article 32.Ifadesign hasbeenregistered foraperson other thantheoneentitled toitunder Article
1,theCourt shall, following anaction inthisrespect bytheperson entitled toit,transfer theregistration
tohim.Anyaction inthisrespect shallbebrought within theperiod prescribed inArticle 31,second
paragraph.
Ifaperson from which aregistration hasthusbeentransferred, hascommenced, ingood faith, the
exploitation ofthedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities inthiscountry, orhastaken significant
measures inthisrespect, hemay, against thepayment ofanequitable remuneration andonother
conditions considered reasonable continue theexploitation orcommence theintended exploitation, while
maintaining itsessential features. Thesame right shall, under thesame conditions, begranted toa
licensee recorded intheregister.
Arightasprovided forinthesecond paragraph maybetransferred toanother person onlyinconnection
withthebusiness activity inwhich itisexploited ortheexploitation wasintended totakeplace.
Article 33.Ifthedesign holder renounces, inwriting totheRegistration Authority, hisrightinthe
design, theAuthority shallremove thedesign from theregister.
Iftherightinadesign issequestered fordebt, seized orkeptforsecuring thepayment ofadebtor
ifthere isadispute concerning thetransfer oraregistration, thedesign maynot,uponrequest bythe
owner ofthedesign, beremoved fromtheregister aslongasthesequestering, seizure orthekeeping
forthepayment ofadebtisstillvalid orthedispute hasnotbeenfinally decided.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
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OntheObligation toFurnish Information
Article 34.Aperson whohasapplied fortheregistration ofadesign andwhoinvokes theapplication
against another person before adocument showing thedesign hasbeenmade publicly available, is
obliged togivehisconsent tothemaking available ofthedocument totheother person.
Aperson whodirectly inrelation toanother person, inanadvertisement orthrough thepublication
ofanotice onagoods oritspackaging orinanyother manner, states thattheregistration ofadesign
hasbeenapplied for,oreffected, without, however, atthesame timeinforming about thenumber of
theapplication ortheregistration, isobliged tofurnish, uponrequest andwithout delay, information
inthisrespect. Ifitisnotexplicitly claimed thataregistration hasbeenapplied for,oreffected, but
whathasoccurred gives theimpression thatthisisthecase,information shall, uponrequest andwithout
delay, befurnished concerning whether aregistration hasbeenapplied fororeffected.
OnSanctions andDamages, Etc.
Article 35.Where aperson commits aninfringement ofadesign right(design infringement) andthe
infringmentiscommittedwilfullyorwithgrossnegligence,heshallbepunishedbyfinesorimprisonment
fornotmore thantwoyears. Aperson whohasviolated aprohibition under thepenalty ofafineunder
Article 35a.amaynotbeadjudicated tocriminal liability fortheinfringement covered bythe
prohibition.
Attempts tocommit aninfringement under thefirstparagraph aswellasthepreparation ofsuchacts
shallbepunishable according totheprovisions ofChapter 23oftheCriminal Code.
Apublic prosecutor isentitled tobring anaction foraviolation asmentioned inthefirstandsecond
paragraphs onlyifthere isacomplaint from theinjured party andsuchanaction iscalled forinthe
public interest.
Article 35a.Attherequest ofthedesign holder orofaperson who, onthebasis ofalicense, has
therighttoexploit adesign, theCourt mayissue aninjunction prohibiting, under penalty ofafine,
aperson whocommitts anactconstituting adesign infringement tocontinue thatact.
Iftheplaintiff shows aprobable casethatanactconstituting aninfringement takes place anditcan
reasonably beassumed thatthedefendant, through thecontinuation oftheact,diminishes thevalue
oftheexclusive rightinthedesign, theCourt mayissue aninjunction forthetimeuntilthecasehas
beenfinally adjudicated orotherwise isdecided. Noinjunction maybeissued before thedefendant
hasbeengiven anopportunity torespond, unless adelay would entail ariskforinjury.
Aninjunction asmentioned inthesecond paragraph maybeissued onlyiftheplaintiff deposits asecurity
withtheCourt fortheinjury which maybecaused tothedefendant. Iftheplaintiff isnotcapable of
depositing suchasecurity, theCourt mayliberate himfrom making adeposit. Asregards thetype
ofsecurity, theprovisions ofChapter 2,Article 25,oftheEnforcement Code shallapply. Thesecurity
shallbeexamined bytheCourt unless thedefendant hasaccepted it.
When thecaseisadjudicated, theCourt shalldecide whether aprohibition under thesecond paragraph
shallcontinue toapply.
Theprovisions onappeal against decisions prescribed inChapter 15oftheCode onJudicial Procedure
shallapply asregards appeals against decisions under thesecond andthirdparagraphs andasregards
proceedings inhigher Courts.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page9
Arequest fortheimposition ofafinemaybemade bytheperson whohasrequested theinjunction.
Inconnection withsuchanimposition, arequest maybemade foranewinjunction totheissued under
penalty ofafine.
Asregards thecontents ofwireless broadcasts andbroadcasts bywire, theprovisions oftheRadio
Act(1966:755) shallapply.
Article36.Anyonewhowilfullyorwithnegligencecommitsadesigninfringementshallpayanequitable
compensation fortheexploitation ofthedesign andcompensation forthefurther injury caused bythe
infringement. Inthedetermination oftheamount ofthecompensation alsotheinterest oftheowner
ofthedesign thatadesign infringement notbecommitted andtoother circumstances ofother than
purely economic importance shallbetaken intoaccount.
Anyone whowithout intention ornegligence commits adesign infringement shallpayacompensation
fortheexploitation ofthedesign, ifandtotheextent thatthisisconsidered reasonable.
Therighttocompensation foradesign infringement islostwhere theaction isnotbrought within five
years from thedateoftheinjury.
Article 37.Attherequest ofaperson whohassuffered injury fromadesign infringement, theCourt
may,totheextent considered reasonable inorder toprevent thecontinuation oftheinfringement, decide
thatthegoods manufactured in,orimported into,Sweden inviolation ofanother person 'sdesign right,
oranobject theuseofwhich would constitute adesign infringement, shallbealtered inaspecified
manner orbetaken intocustody fortheremainder ofthetermofprotection, orbedestroyed or,as
regards goods which havebeenmanufactured without authorization in,orimported into,Sweden, be
surrendered, against compensation, totheinjured party. Thisdoesnotapply inrelation toaperson
whohasingoodfaithacquired theproperty oraspecific rightinitandwhohasnothimself committed
adesign infringement.
Property asreferred tointhefirstparagraph maybeseized, where ititcanreasonably beassumed
thataviolation under Article 35hasbeencommitted. Asregards suchseizure, theprovisions onseizure
incriminal cases ingeneral shallapply.
Notwithstanding theprovisions ofthefirstparagraph theCourt may, where there areextraordinary
reasons, decide, uponrequest, thattheowner ofaproperty referred tointhefirstparagraph mayhave
therighttousetheproperty fortheremainder ofthetermofprotection, orpartofthatterm, against
anequitable compensation andsubject toother reasonable conditions.
Theprovisions ofthefirsttothirdparagraphs apply alsoinrelation toactsofattempts orofplanning
referred toinArticle 35,second paragraph.
Article38.Whereanyoneexploits,inthecourseofbusinessactivities,adesigncoveredbyanapplication
forregistration afterthemaking publicly available adocument showing thedesign, theprovisions on
design infringement shallapply accordingly totheextent thattheapplication results inaregistration.
Acriminal penalty may, however, notbeadjudicated andacompensation forinjury onthebasis of
anexploitation which hastaken place before anotice oftheregistration waspublished according to
Article 18,maybedecided onlyaccording totheprovisions inArticle 36,second paragraph.
TheprovisionofArticle36,thirdparagraph,doesnotapplywheretheactionforcompensationisbrought
nolaterthanoneyearfrom theregistration ofthedesign.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page10
Article 39.Where theregistration ofadesign hasbeeninvalidated through ajudgement having legal
force, nocriminal penalty, compensation orsecurity measure asprovided forinArticles 35to38may
beadjudicated.
Where anaction isbrought foradesign infringement andtheperson against whom theaction isbrought
claims thattheregistration beinvalidated, theCourt shall, upon hisrequest, order theproceedings
tobesuspended untilthequestion oftheinvalidation oftheregistration hasbeenfinally decided. Where
theaction inthisrespect hasnotbeenbrought, theCourt shall, inconnection withtheorder for
suspension, prescribe acertain timeforhimwithin which suchanaction shallbebrought.
Article 40.Afineshall beimposed onanyperson whowilfully orwithnegligence which isnot
insignificant
1.doesnotmeethisobligations under Article 34,
2.incases prescribed inthatArticle provides information which isincorrect, where apenal sanction
isnotprovided forintheCriminal Code.
Anyone whowilfully orwithnegligence doesnotmeethisobligation orcommits anactasreferred
tointhefirstparagraph, shallpayacompensation foranyinjury caused. Thecompensation maybe
adjusted incasethenegligence isinsignificant.
Apublic criminal action foraviolation asreferred tointhefirstparagraphs maybebrought onlyif
there isacomplaint from theinjured party andsuchanaction, forspecific reasons, iscalled forin
thepublic interest.
Provisions onProceedings
Article 41.Adesign holder oraperson whohas,onthebasis ofalicense, theright toexploit the
design, maybring anaction toresolve thequestion onwhether ornotheenjoys, onthebasis ofthe
registration, protection inrelation toanother person, where anuncertainty exists inthisrespect and
theuncertainty causes injury totheplaitiff.
Under thesame conditions, aperson whoisengaged in,orintends toengage in,abusiness activity
maybring anaction against thedesign holder toresolve thequestion whether anobstacle against the
activity would existonthebasis ofacertain design registration.
Theprovisions ofArticle 39,second paragraph, apply accordingly where itisclaimed, inacasereferred
tointhefirstparagraph, thatthedesign registration beinvalidated.
Article 42.Anyone whowishes tobring anaction concerning theinvalidation ofadesign registration,
concerning thetransfer ofaregistration orconcerning thegranting ofacompulsory license shallnotify
thisfacttotheRegistration Authority andinform every person who,according totheDesign Register,
holds alicense fortheexploitation ofthatdesign. Alicensee whowishes tobring anaction fordesign
infringement orfortheresolution ofaquestion referred toinArticle 41,firstparagraph, shallinform
thedesign holder about thisfact.
Theobligation tofurnish information referred tointhefirstparagraph shallbeconsidered tohavebeen
metwhen anotice hasbeensentinregistered, pre-paid mailtotheaddress recorded intheDesign
Register.
Where itisnotshown, atthetimewhen theaction isbrought, thatanotification oranotice hasbeen
furnished under theprovisions inthefirstparagraph, theplaintiff shallbegiven sufficient timefor
thispurpose. Ifhefailsinthisrespect, hisaction shallnotbetaken upforconsideration.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page11
Article 43.Where there isnot,under theCode ofJudicial Procedure, aCourt competent toconsider
anaction concerning abetter titletoadesign, concerning theinvalidation ofadesign registration,
concerning thetransfer ofsucharegistration, concerning thegranting ofacompulsory license orof
arightreferred toinArticle 32,second paragraph, concerning remuneration according toArticle 40,
second paragraph, orconcerning theresolution ofaquestion referred toinArticle 41,theaction shall
bebrought attheDistrict Court inStockholm.
Article 44.Copies ofjudgements orfinaldecisions incases referred toinArticles 16,30to32,35
to38and41shallbetransmitted totheRegistration Authority.
Special Provisions
Article 45.Adesign holder whodoesnothavehisdomicile inSweden shallhaveanrepresentative
resident herewhoisempowered toreceive notice ofwrits, summons andother documents relating
tocourt cases andother matters concerning thedesign right, withtheexception, however, asregards
writs incriminal cases andasregards invitations foraparty toappear personally intheCourt. The
representative shallbenotified totheDesign Register andrecorded there.
Where adesign holder hasnotnotified arepresentative according tothefirstparagraph, asummon
mayinstead beserved through thetransmission ofthedocument inapre-paid letter totheaddress
recorded intheDesign Register. Where acomplete address isnotrecorded intheRegister, thesummon
may, instead, beeffected through themaking available ofthedocument attheRegistration Authority
andthrough theentry ofanotice about thisfactandabout theessential contents ofthedocument in
apublication asdecided bytheGovernment. Asummon shallbeconsidered aseffected when theactions
nowmentioned havebeencarried out.
Article 46.TheGovernment may, oncondition ofreciprocity, prescribe thattheprovisions ofArticle
12orArticle 45shallnotapply inrelation tosuchanapplicant oradesign holder whoisdomiciled
inacertain foreign State orwhohasarepresentative domiciled there whohasbeennotified tothe
Registration Authority andwhoisempowered asprescribed inthose Articles.
Article 47.Decisions bytheRegistration Authority other thanthose referred toinArticle 21maybe
appealed through thelodging ofanappeal totheCourt ofPatent Appeals (Patentbesvärsrätten) within
twomonths from thedateofthedecision.
Afinaldecision bytheCourt ofPatent Appeals (Patentbesvärsrätten) maybeappealed totheSupreme
Administrative Court (Regeringsrätten) within twomonths fromthedateofthedecision. Asregards
suchappeals theprovisions ofArticles 35to37oftheActonAdministrative Proceedings (Act1971:291)
onappeal against decisions bytheCourt ofAdministrative Appeals. Thedecision oftheCourt ofPatent
Appeals shallcontain anindication ofthefactthataspecial permission hastobeobtained inorder
forthecasetobebrought totheSupreme Administrative Court andofthegrounds onwhich such
permission maybegranted.
Article 48.Inmatters concerning theregistration ofadesign andconcerning therenewal ofaregistration
ofadesign theapplicant shall payanapplication feeorarenewal feeand,where applicable, the
following additional fees,namely aclassfeeforeachclassofgoods inaddition tothefirstone,ajoint
registration feeforeachdesign inaddition thefirstone,astorage feeforthestorage ofamodel and
apublication feeforthepublication ofanotice about apicture inaddition tothefirstone.Arenewal
feewhich ispaidaftertheexpiry ofacurrent registration period shallbepaidwithanincreased amount.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page12
Article 49.TheGovernment determines thefeesunder thisAct.
Further provisions ontheapplication ofthisActareissued bytheGovernment or,asdecided bythe
Government, bytheRegistration Authority.
--------------------------
ThisActenters intoforce onJuly1,1970.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page13
THE MINISTRY OFJUSTICE
Stockholm
DESIGN PROTECTION ACT
(ActNo1970:485 ofJune29,1970, aslastamended byActNo1994:235, ofApril 14,1994).
General Provisions
Article 1.Forthepurposes ofthisActa"design" istobeunderstood astheprototype fortheshape
ofaproduct orforanornament.
Theperson whohascreated adesign, orhissuccessor intitle,mayobtain, through registration, an
exclusive righttoexploit thedesign according tothisAct(design right).
Article 2.Adesign mayberegistereed onlyifitsubstantially differs from whathasbecome known
before thedateofthefiling oftheapplication forregistration.
As"known" shallbeconsidered everything thathasbeenmade generally available, regardless ofwhether
thishasoccurred through areproduction, exhibition, putting onsaleorinanyother manner. Also
adesign which hasnotbeenmade generally available shallbeconsidered asknown ifthedesign appears
inanapplication inthiscountry forapatent orifanapplication fortheregistration ofatrademark
oradesign, which is,or,according towhatisprescribed intherelevant provisions, shallbeconsidered
tohavebeenmade before thedateindicated inthefirstparagraph, andthedesign thereafter ismade
generally available inthecourse oftheexamination oftheapplication.
Article 3.Adesign mayberegistered notwithstanding thefactthatishasbeenmade generally available
1.asaconsequence ofanobvious abuse inrelation totheapplicant ortoaperson fromwhom hederives
hisright,
2.through thefactthattheapplicant oraperson from whom hederives hisright hasdisplayed the
design atanofficial, orofficially recognized, international exhibition.
Article 4.Adesign maynotberegistered
1.where thedesign oritsuseiscontrary tomorality orpublic order,
2.ifinthedesign hasbeenincluded, without authorization,
a)aStatecoatofarms, aStateflagoranother Stateemblem, aStatecontrol orguarantee warrant,
another designation which alludes ontheSwedish Stateandthereby givesthedesign anofficial character,
aSwedish municipal coatofarms orsuchaninternational designation which isprotected under the
Act(1970:498) ontheProtection ofCoats ofArms andCertain Other Official Designations, oranything
thatmaybeeasily confused withacoatofarms, aflag,anemblem oradesignation asreferred to
above,
b)anything thatmaybeperceived asthedenomination ofafoundation, anon-profit organization
orasimilar association orasanother person 'strade name ortrade symbol protected inthiscountry,
orasanother signwhich hasbeenestablished onthemarket foranother person inthiscountry inthe
course ofbusiness activities,
c)another person 'sportrait oranything thatmaybeperceived asanother person 'sfamily name,
artistic name orsimilar name, unless theportrait orthename obviously relates toaperson whoislong
deceased,IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page14
d)anything thanmaybeperceived asanother person 'sliterary orartistic work protected inthis
country, where thetitleisdistinctive, oranything thatviolates another person 'scopyright insucha
work orinaphotographic picture which isprotected inthiscountry,
e)anything thatdoesnotsubstantially differ fromadesign which isregistered inthiscountry for
another person.
Article 5.Therightinadesign shall, withthelimitations mentioned below, imply thatnoother person
is,without theauthorization oftheholder oftheright inthedesign (thedesign holder), allowed to
exploit thedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities through themanufacture, theimport intoSweden,
theoffering forsale,selling, transfer orrental ofaproduct theappearance ofwhich doesnotsubstantially
differ fromthedesign orwhich incorporates something thatdoesnotsubstantially differ fromthedesign.
Therightinadesign applies onlytothegoods forwhich thedesign hasbeenregistreed, orforsimilar
goods.
Therightinadesign doesnotapply totheuseofagoods which havebeenputonthemarket within
theEuropean Economic Area bythedesign holder orwithhisconsent.
Article 6.Aperson whoexploited thedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities inthiscountry when
theapplicationfortheregistrationofthedesignwasmademay,notwithstandingthedesignright,continue
theexploitation ofthedesign while maintaining itsessential features, iftheexploitation didnotamount
toanobvious misuse inrelation totheapplicant orsomeone from whom hederives hisright. Such
aright ofexploitation shallbeaccorded alsotoanyperson whohastaken substantial steps forthe
exploitation ofthedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities inthiscountry.
Therightunder thefirstparagraph maybetransferred toanother person onlytogether withthebusiness
activity inwhich therightcame intoexistence orwhere theexploitation wasintended totakeplace.
Article7.TheGovernmentmayprescribethatsparepartsoraccessoriestoaircraftsmay,notwithstanding
thedesign right, beimported intothecountry foruseintherepair ofanaircraft domiciled inaforeign
country which grants similar advantages inrespect ofaSwedish aircraft.
Article 8.TheGovernment mayprescribe thatanapplication fortheregistration ofadesign, which
hasbeenearlier included inanapplication outside thiscountry, shall, forthepurposes ofArticles 2
and6,where theapplicant sorequests, beconsidered ashaving beenmade atthesame timeasthe
application outside thiscountry.
TheApplication anditsExamination
Article 9.ThePatent andRegistration Office istheRegistration Authority.
Article 10.Anyapplication forregistration ofadesign shallbemade inwriting totheRegistration
Authority.
Theapplication shallcontain anindication ofthegoods forwhich theregistration ofthedesign issought.
Theapplication shallindicate thecreator ofthedesign. Where registration ifsought foraperson other
thantheonewhocreated thedesign, theapplicant shallprove hisrightinthatdesign.
Totheapplication shallbeattached apicture showing thedesign. Where theapplicant, before the
publication oftheapplication, filesalsoamodel, thatmodel shallbeconsidered asshowing thedesign.
Totheapplication shallfurthermore beattached adeclaration signed bytheapplicant himself, onhis
faithandhonor, totheeffect thatthedesign, tothebestknowledge oftheapplicant, hasnotbeforeIP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page15
thedateofthefiling oftheapplication orthedatewhen theapplication, under Article 8,shallbe
considered ashaving beenmade, beenmade known insuchawaywhich under Articles 2and3would
prevent theregistration.
Theapplicant shallpaytheapplication feesandtheadditional feesprescribed inArticle 48.
Article 11.Anapplication mayinclude several designs, where thegoods forwhich registration ofthe
designs issought areinterconnected asregards themanufacture andtheexploitation. Anapplication
forsuchajointregistration mayinclude nomore than20designs andmaynotrefertoornaments.
Article 12.Anapplicant whoisnotdomiciled inSweden shallhavearepresentative resident herewho
isempowered torepresent himinallmatters relating totheapplication.
Article 13.Anapplication fortheregistration ofadesign shallnotbeconsidered ashaving beenmade
untiltheapplicant haspresented apicture oramodel showing thedesign.
Theapplication maynotbealtered soastorefertoanother design oranother goods thancontained
intheoriginal application.
Article 14.Inthecourse oftheexamination oftheapplication forregistration ofadesign, the
Registration Authority shall, totheextent prescribed bytheGovernment, examine iftherequirements
forobtaining aregistration ofthedesign arefulfilled. Ittheapplicant hasnotcomplied withthe
provisions governing theapplication oriftheAuthority otherwise considers thatthere isanobstacle
fortheapproval oftheapplication, theapplicant shallbeinvited tosubmit, within adetermined period
oftime, either astatement oracorrection.
Where theapplicant doesnot,within theprescribed period oftime, submit astatement ortakemeasures
toremedy thedeficiency indicated, theapplication shallberemoved from thefiles. Thispossibility
shallbeindicated intheinvitation.
Anapplication which hasbeenremoved fromthefilesmaybereinstated where theapplicant, within
twomonths, submits astatement ortakesmeasures toremedy thedeficiency andwithin thesameperiod
oftimepaystheprescribed reinstatement fee.Areinstatement maybemade onlyonce.
Article 15.Ifthere isanobstacle totheregistration evenafterastatement hasbeensubmitted and
iftheapplicant hasbeengiven anopportunity tofileastatement concerning theobstacle, theappliction
shallberejected, unless there isareason forissuing anewinvitation totheapplicant.
Article 16.Ifanyone claims, before theRegistration Authority, thathehasabetter titletothedesign
thantheapplicant andthematter isdoubtful, theAuthority mayinvite himtofileanaction inCourt
within acertain time, failing which hisclaim maybedisregarded inthecourse ofthecontinued
examination oftheapplication.
Where adispute concerning abetter titletothedesign isunder consideration byaCourt, theapplication
forregistration maybedeclared suspended pending afinaldecision inthecase.
Article 17.Ifsomeone proves, before theRegistration Authority, thathehasabetter titletothedesign
thantheapplicant, theAuthority shalltransfer theapplication tohim,ifhesorequests. Theperson
towhom anapplication istransferrred shallpayanewapplication fee.
Ifatransfer isrequested, theapplication maynotbealtered, removed fromthefiles,rejected oraccepted
untiltheclaim hasbeenfinally considered.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page16
Article18.Iftheapplicationdocumentsarecompleteandthereisnoobstacletoeffectingtheregistration,
theRegistration Authority shall publish anotice oftheapplication inorder togivethepublic an
opportunity tofileanopposition against theapplication. Ifaparticular document inthecaseshallbe
keptsecret according towhatisprescribed inArticle 19,thepublication may, however, bedeferred
untilthedocument shallbemade publicly available.
Anyopposition shallbefiledinwriting withtheRegistration Authority within twomonths from the
publication.
Article 19.Where, inacaseconcerning theregistration ofadesign, aparticular document showing
thedesign shallbekeptsecret according towhatisspecifically prescribed inthisrespect, thedocument
maynot,without theconsent oftheapplicant, bemade available untiltheperiod requested byhim
hasexpired oraperiod ofsixmonths haveexpired from thedateofthefiling oftheapplication or,
where priority under Article 8,firstparagraph, hasbeenclaimed, from thedatefrom which priority
hasbeenclaimed. IftheRegistration Authority hasdecided toremove theapplication from thefile,
ortoreject theapplication, before theperiod forsecrecy hasexpired, thedocument maybemade
availableonlywheretheapplicantrequeststheapplicationtobereinstatedorappealsagainstthedecision.
Article 20.After theexpiry oftheperiod prescribed inArticle 18,second paragraph, theexamination
oftheapplication shallcontinue. Asregards thisexamination, theprovisions ofArticles 14to17apply.
Theapplicant shall benotified about anyopposition filed. Where theopposition isnotobviously
groundless, theapplicant shallbegiven anopportunity tomake observations.
Article 21.Afinaldecision bytheRegistration Authority inanymatter concerning theapplication
forregistration ofadesign maybeappealed bytheapplicant ifthedecision goesagainst him.Adecision
under which anapplication hasbeenaccepted inspite ofanopposition filedaccording towhat is
prescribed inthisrespect, maybeappealed bytheperson whohasfiledtheopposition. Even ifthe
opponent withdraws hisappeal, thecasemaystillbebrought toadecision where special reasons for
thisexist.
Adecision whereby arequest forreinstatement asprescribed inArticle 14,thirdparagraph, hasbeen
rejected orarequest foratransfer asprescribed inArticle 17hasbeenaccepted, maybeappealed
byapplicant. Anyperson whohasfiledarequest foratransfer mayappeal adecision under which
therequest hasbeenrejected.
Article 22.Afinaldecision bytheRegistration Authority under Article 21,maybeappealed tothe
Court ofPatent Appeals (Patentbesvärsrätten) within twomonths from thedateofthedecision.
Afinaldecision bytheCourt ofPatent Appeals maybeappealed totheSupreme Administrative Court
(Regeringsrätten)withintwomonthsfromthedateofthedecision.Asregardssuchappealstheprovisions
ofArticles 35to37oftheActonAdministrative Proceedings (Act1971:291) onappeal against decisions
bytheCourt ofAdministrative Appeals shallapply. Thedecision oftheCourt ofPatent Appeals shall
contain anindiction ofthefactthataspecial permission hastobeobtained inorder forthecaseto
bebrought totheSupreme Administrative Court andofthegrounds onwhich suchpermission may
begranted.
Article 23.Where anapplication fortheregistration ofadesign isaccepted andthedecision hastaken
legal force, thedesign shallbeentered intotheDesign Register andanotice oftheregistration be
published.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page17
TheTerm ofValidity ofADesign Registration
Article 24.Aregistration ofadesign isvalid foratermoffiveyears from thedateofthefiling of
theapplication forregistration andmay, upon application, berenewed fortwofurther terms offive
years. Each suchfurther termrunsfrom theexpiry oftheprevious term.
Article 25.Applications forrenewals ofregistrations shallbefiledwiththeRegistration Authority
notearlier thanoneyear, andnotlaterthansixmonths, aftertheexpiry oftheprevious registration
term. Within thesame period, therenewal feesandtheadditional feesprescribed inArticle 48shall
bepaid, failing which theapplication shallberejected.
Anotice oftherenewal ofaregistration shallbepublished.
OnAssignments andLicenses, Etc.
Article 26.Where theowner ofadesign hasgranted someone elsetherighttoexploit thedesign in
thecourse ofbusiness activities (license), thelicensee maytransfer hisrightfurther onlyifthere is
anagreement tothiseffect.
Where thelicense forms partofabusiness activity, itmay, however, betransferred together withthe
activity, unless there isanagreement tothecontrary. Insuchacasethetransferor remains liable for
thefulfilment ofthelicense agreement.
Article 27.Where adesign righthasbeentransferred toanother person, oralicense hasbeengranted
ortransferred, anentry ofthisfactshall, upon request andagainst thepayment oftheprescribed fee,
bemade intheDesign Register. Where itisshown thatalicense recorded intheregister hasexpired,
theentry shallberemoved.
Theprovisions ofthefirstparagraph apply correspondingly alsoinrelation toacompulsory license
andinrelation toarightasprescribed inArticle 32,second paragraph.
Where ajointregistration hasbeeneffecterd, atransfer ofadesign rirhtmayberecorded onlyinrelation
toallthedesigns.
Asthedesign holder shall, forthepurpose oflawsuits orother legalcases relating tothedesign, be
considered theperson whohaslastbeenentered intotheregister inthiscapacity.
Article 28.Anyperson who, inthiscountry, exploited, inthecourse ofbusiness activities, adesign
covered byanapplication forregistration when adocument showing thedesign wasmade publicly
available, may, provided thattheapplication results inaregistration, begranted acompulsory license
fortheexploitation, provided thatthere areextraordinary reasons andhedidnotknow about the
application andcould notreasonably haveobtained suchknowledge. Aright tosuchacompulsory
license may, subject tothesame conditions, begranted alsotoanyperson whohastaken significant
measures inorder toexploit thedesign inbusiness activities inthiscountry. Acompulsory license
mayrelate alsothetimebefore thedesign wasregistered.
Where apublic interest ofanextraordinary character callsforit,aperson whowants toexploit, in
thecourse ofbusiness activities, adesign registered foranother person, maybegranted acompulsory
license forsuchexploitation.
Article 29.Compulsory licenses maynotbegranted topersons other thanthose whocould bepresumed
tobeabletoexploit thedesign inanacceptable manner andinconformity withtheterms ofthelicense.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page18
Acompulsory license doesnotprevent thedesign holder fromexploiting thedesign himself orgranting
alicense inthisrespect. Acompulsory license maybetransferred toanother person onlytogether with
thebusiness activity inwhich itisexploited orintended tobeexploited.
Article 30.Acompulsory license maybegranted byaCourt which alsodecides theextent towhich
adesign maybeexploited anddecides about theremuneration andother conditions forthelicense.
TheCourt mayterminate thelicense ordecide onnewconditions foritwhere substantially altered
circumstances callforit.
OntheTermination ofARegistration
Article 31.Ifadesign hasbeenregistered contrary totheprovisions ofArticles 1to4andtheground
forrefusing theregistration stillexists, theCourt shall, upon thefiling ofanaction inthisrespect,
invalidate theregistration. Aregistration may,however, notbeinvalidated ontheground thattheperson
whohasobtained theregistration isentitled onlytoapartofthedesign right.
Anaction based onthefactthataregistration hasbeeneffected foraperson other thantheonewho
isentitled toitunder Article 1maybefiledonlybytheperson whoclaims tobetheholder ofthe
rightinthedesign. Theaction shallbebrought within oneyearfrom thedateonwhich theplaintiff
became aware oftheregistration andoftheother circumstances onwhich theaction isbased. Ifthe
design holder wasingood faithwhen thedesign wasregistered orwhen therightinthedesign was
transferred tohim,theaction maynotbebrought laterthanthree years from theregistration.
Inother cases anaction maybebrought byanyone whosuffers aninjury from theregistration. An
action based ontheprovisions ofArticle 4,1)or2.a)maybebrought alsobyaPublic Authority as
decided bytheGovernment.
Article 32.Ifadesign hasbeenregistered foraperson other thantheoneentitled toitunder Article
1,theCourt shall, following anaction inthisrespect bytheperson entitled toit,transfer theregistration
tohim.Anyaction inthisrespect shallbebrought within theperiod prescribed inArticle 31,second
paragraph.
Ifaperson from which aregistration hasthusbeentransferred, hascommenced, ingood faith, the
exploitation ofthedesign inthecourse ofbusiness activities inthiscountry, orhastaken significant
measures inthisrespect, hemay, against thepayment ofanequitable remuneration andonother
conditions considered reasonable continue theexploitation orcommence theintended exploitation, while
maintaining itsessential features. Thesame right shall, under thesame conditions, begranted toa
licensee recorded intheregister.
Arightasprovided forinthesecond paragraph maybetransferred toanother person onlyinconnection
withthebusiness activity inwhich itisexploited ortheexploitation wasintended totakeplace.
Article 33.Ifthedesign holder renounces, inwriting totheRegistration Authority, hisrightinthe
design, theAuthority shallremove thedesign from theregister.
Iftherightinadesign issequestered fordebt, seized orkeptforsecuring thepayment ofadebtor
ifthere isadispute concerning thetransfer oraregistration, thedesign maynot,uponrequest bythe
owner ofthedesign, beremoved fromtheregister aslongasthesequestering, seizure orthekeeping
forthepayment ofadebtisstillvalid orthedispute hasnotbeenfinally decided.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page19
OntheObligation toFurnish Information
Article 34.Aperson whohasapplied fortheregistration ofadesign andwhoinvokes theapplication
against another person before adocument showing thedesign hasbeenmade publicly available, is
obliged togivehisconsent tothemaking available ofthedocument totheother person.
Aperson whodirectly inrelation toanother person, inanadvertisement orthrough thepublication
ofanotice onagoods oritspackaging orinanyother manner, states thattheregistration ofadesign
hasbeenapplied for,oreffected, without, however, atthesame timeinforming about thenumber of
theapplication ortheregistration, isobliged tofurnish, uponrequest andwithout delay, information
inthisrespect. Ifitisnotexplicitly claimed thataregistration hasbeenapplied for,oreffected, but
whathasoccurred gives theimpression thatthisisthecase,information shall, uponrequest andwithout
delay, befurnished concerning whether aregistration hasbeenapplied fororeffected.
OnSanctions andDamages, Etc.
Article 35.Where aperson commits aninfringement ofadesign right(design infringement) andthe
infringmentiscommittedwilfullyorwithgrossnegligence,heshallbepunishedbyfinesorimprisonment
fornotmore thantwoyears. Aperson whohasviolated aprohibition under thepenalty ofafineunder
Article 35a.amaynotbeadjudicated tocriminal liability fortheinfringement covered bythe
prohibition.
Attempts tocommit aninfringement under thefirstparagraph aswellasthepreparation ofsuchacts
shallbepunishable according totheprovisions ofChapter 23oftheCriminal Code.
Apublic prosecutor isentitled tobring anaction foraviolation asmentioned inthefirstandsecond
paragraphs onlyifthere isacomplaint from theinjured party andsuchanaction iscalled forinthe
public interest.
Article 35a.Attherequest ofthedesign holder orofaperson who, onthebasis ofalicense, has
therighttoexploit adesign, theCourt mayissue aninjunction prohibiting, under penalty ofafine,
aperson whocommitts anactconstituting adesign infringement tocontinue thatact.
Iftheplaintiff shows aprobable casethatanactconstituting aninfringement takes place anditcan
reasonably beassumed thatthedefendant, through thecontinuation oftheact,diminishes thevalue
oftheexclusive rightinthedesign, theCourt mayissue aninjunction forthetimeuntilthecasehas
beenfinally adjudicated orotherwise isdecided. Noinjunction maybeissued before thedefendant
hasbeengiven anopportunity torespond, unless adelay would entail ariskforinjury.
Aninjunction asmentioned inthesecond paragraph maybeissued onlyiftheplaintiff deposits asecurity
withtheCourt fortheinjury which maybecaused tothedefendant. Iftheplaintiff isnotcapable of
depositing suchasecurity, theCourt mayliberate himfrom making adeposit. Asregards thetype
ofsecurity, theprovisions ofChapter 2,Article 25,oftheEnforcement Code shallapply. Thesecurity
shallbeexamined bytheCourt unless thedefendant hasaccepted it.
When thecaseisadjudicated, theCourt shalldecide whether aprohibition under thesecond paragraph
shallcontinue toapply.
Theprovisions onappeal against decisions prescribed inChapter 15oftheCode onJudicial Procedure
shallapply asregards appeals against decisions under thesecond andthirdparagraphs andasregards
proceedings inhigher Courts.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page20
Arequest fortheimposition ofafinemaybemade bytheperson whohasrequested theinjunction.
Inconnection withsuchanimposition, arequest maybemade foranewinjunction totheissued under
penalty ofafine.
Asregards thecontents ofwireless broadcasts andbroadcasts bywire, theprovisions oftheRadio
Act(1966:755) shallapply.
Article36.Anyonewhowilfullyorwithnegligencecommitsadesigninfringementshallpayanequitable
compensation fortheexploitation ofthedesign andcompensation forthefurther injury caused bythe
infringement. Inthedetermination oftheamount ofthecompensation alsotheinterest oftheowner
ofthedesign thatadesign infringement notbecommitted andtoother circumstances ofother than
purely economic importance shallbetaken intoaccount.
Anyone whowithout intention ornegligence commits adesign infringement shallpayacompensation
fortheexploitation ofthedesign, ifandtotheextent thatthisisconsidered reasonable.
Therighttocompensation foradesign infringement islostwhere theaction isnotbrought within five
years from thedateoftheinjury.
Article 37.Attherequest ofaperson whohassuffered injury fromadesign infringement, theCourt
may,totheextent considered reasonable inorder toprevent thecontinuation oftheinfringement, decide
thatthegoods manufactured in,orimported into,Sweden inviolation ofanother person 'sdesign right,
oranobject theuseofwhich would constitute adesign infringement, shallbealtered inaspecified
manner orbetaken intocustody fortheremainder ofthetermofprotection, orbedestroyed or,as
regards goods which havebeenmanufactured without authorization in,orimported into,Sweden, be
surrendered, against compensation, totheinjured party. Thisdoesnotapply inrelation toaperson
whohasingoodfaithacquired theproperty oraspecific rightinitandwhohasnothimself committed
adesign infringement.
Property asreferred tointhefirstparagraph maybeseized, where ititcanreasonably beassumed
thataviolation under Article 35hasbeencommitted. Asregards suchseizure, theprovisions onseizure
incriminal cases ingeneral shallapply.
Notwithstanding theprovisions ofthefirstparagraph theCourt may, where there areextraordinary
reasons, decide, uponrequest, thattheowner ofaproperty referred tointhefirstparagraph mayhave
therighttousetheproperty fortheremainder ofthetermofprotection, orpartofthatterm, against
anequitable compensation andsubject toother reasonable conditions.
Theprovisions ofthefirsttothirdparagraphs apply alsoinrelation toactsofattempts orofplanning
referred toinArticle 35,second paragraph.
Article38.Whereanyoneexploits,inthecourseofbusinessactivities,adesigncoveredbyanapplication
forregistration afterthemaking publicly available adocument showing thedesign, theprovisions on
design infringement shallapply accordingly totheextent thattheapplication results inaregistration.
Acriminal penalty may, however, notbeadjudicated andacompensation forinjury onthebasis of
anexploitation which hastaken place before anotice oftheregistration waspublished according to
Article 18,maybedecided onlyaccording totheprovisions inArticle 36,second paragraph.
TheprovisionofArticle36,thirdparagraph,doesnotapplywheretheactionforcompensationisbrought
nolaterthanoneyearfrom theregistration ofthedesign.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
Page21
Article 39.Where theregistration ofadesign hasbeeninvalidated through ajudgement having legal
force, nocriminal penalty, compensation orsecurity measure asprovided forinArticles 35to38may
beadjudicated.
Where anaction isbrought foradesign infringement andtheperson against whom theaction isbrought
claims thattheregistration beinvalidated, theCourt shall, upon hisrequest, order theproceedings
tobesuspended untilthequestion oftheinvalidation oftheregistration hasbeenfinally decided. Where
theaction inthisrespect hasnotbeenbrought, theCourt shall, inconnection withtheorder for
suspension, prescribe acertain timeforhimwithin which suchanaction shallbebrought.
Article 40.Afineshall beimposed onanyperson whowilfully orwithnegligence which isnot
insignificant
1.doesnotmeethisobligations under Article 34,
2.incases prescribed inthatArticle provides information which isincorrect, where apenal sanction
isnotprovided forintheCriminal Code.
Anyone whowilfully orwithnegligence doesnotmeethisobligation orcommits anactasreferred
tointhefirstparagraph, shallpayacompensation foranyinjury caused. Thecompensation maybe
adjusted incasethenegligence isinsignificant.
Apublic criminal action foraviolation asreferred tointhefirstparagraphs maybebrought onlyif
there isacomplaint from theinjured party andsuchanaction, forspecific reasons, iscalled forin
thepublic interest.
Provisions onProceedings
Article 41.Adesign holder oraperson whohas,onthebasis ofalicense, theright toexploit the
design, maybring anaction toresolve thequestion onwhether ornotheenjoys, onthebasis ofthe
registration, protection inrelation toanother person, where anuncertainty exists inthisrespect and
theuncertainty causes injury totheplaitiff.
Under thesame conditions, aperson whoisengaged in,orintends toengage in,abusiness activity
maybring anaction against thedesign holder toresolve thequestion whether anobstacle against the
activity would existonthebasis ofacertain design registration.
Theprovisions ofArticle 39,second paragraph, apply accordingly where itisclaimed, inacasereferred
tointhefirstparagraph, thatthedesign registration beinvalidated.
Article 42.Anyone whowishes tobring anaction concerning theinvalidation ofadesign registration,
concerning thetransfer ofaregistration orconcerning thegranting ofacompulsory license shallnotify
thisfacttotheRegistration Authority andinform every person who,according totheDesign Register,
holds alicense fortheexploitation ofthatdesign. Alicensee whowishes tobring anaction fordesign
infringement orfortheresolution ofaquestion referred toinArticle 41,firstparagraph, shallinform
thedesign holder about thisfact.
Theobligation tofurnish information referred tointhefirstparagraph shallbeconsidered tohavebeen
metwhen anotice hasbeensentinregistered, pre-paid mailtotheaddress recorded intheDesign
Register.
Where itisnotshown, atthetimewhen theaction isbrought, thatanotification oranotice hasbeen
furnished under theprovisions inthefirstparagraph, theplaintiff shallbegiven sufficient timefor
thispurpose. Ifhefailsinthisrespect, hisaction shallnotbetaken upforconsideration.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
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Article 43.Where there isnot,under theCode ofJudicial Procedure, aCourt competent toconsider
anaction concerning abetter titletoadesign, concerning theinvalidation ofadesign registration,
concerning thetransfer ofsucharegistration, concerning thegranting ofacompulsory license orof
arightreferred toinArticle 32,second paragraph, concerning remuneration according toArticle 40,
second paragraph, orconcerning theresolution ofaquestion referred toinArticle 41,theaction shall
bebrought attheDistrict Court inStockholm.
Article 44.Copies ofjudgements orfinaldecisions incases referred toinArticles 16,30to32,35
to38and41shallbetransmitted totheRegistration Authority.
Special Provisions
Article 45.Adesign holder whodoesnothavehisdomicile inSweden shallhaveanrepresentative
resident herewhoisempowered toreceive notice ofwrits, summons andother documents relating
tocourt cases andother matters concerning thedesign right, withtheexception, however, asregards
writs incriminal cases andasregards invitations foraparty toappear personally intheCourt. The
representative shallbenotified totheDesign Register andrecorded there.
Where adesign holder hasnotnotified arepresentative according tothefirstparagraph, asummon
mayinstead beserved through thetransmission ofthedocument inapre-paid letter totheaddress
recorded intheDesign Register. Where acomplete address isnotrecorded intheRegister, thesummon
may, instead, beeffected through themaking available ofthedocument attheRegistration Authority
andthrough theentry ofanotice about thisfactandabout theessential contents ofthedocument in
apublication asdecided bytheGovernment. Asummon shallbeconsidered aseffected when theactions
nowmentioned havebeencarried out.
Article 46.TheGovernment may, oncondition ofreciprocity, prescribe thattheprovisions ofArticle
12orArticle 45shallnotapply inrelation tosuchanapplicant oradesign holder whoisdomiciled
inacertain foreign State orwhohasarepresentative domiciled there whohasbeennotified tothe
Registration Authority andwhoisempowered asprescribed inthose Articles.
Article 47.Decisions bytheRegistration Authority other thanthose referred toinArticle 21maybe
appealed through thelodging ofanappeal totheCourt ofPatent Appeals (Patentbesvärsrätten) within
twomonths from thedateofthedecision.
Afinaldecision bytheCourt ofPatent Appeals (Patentbesvärsrätten) maybeappealed totheSupreme
Administrative Court (Regeringsrätten) within twomonths fromthedateofthedecision. Asregards
suchappeals theprovisions ofArticles 35to37oftheActonAdministrative Proceedings (Act1971:291)
onappeal against decisions bytheCourt ofAdministrative Appeals. Thedecision oftheCourt ofPatent
Appeals shallcontain anindication ofthefactthataspecial permission hastobeobtained inorder
forthecasetobebrought totheSupreme Administrative Court andofthegrounds onwhich such
permission maybegranted.
Article 48.Inmatters concerning theregistration ofadesign andconcerning therenewal ofaregistration
ofadesign theapplicant shall payanapplication feeorarenewal feeand,where applicable, the
following additional fees,namely aclassfeeforeachclassofgoods inaddition tothefirstone,ajoint
registration feeforeachdesign inaddition thefirstone,astorage feeforthestorage ofamodel and
apublication feeforthepublication ofanotice about apicture inaddition tothefirstone.Arenewal
feewhich ispaidaftertheexpiry ofacurrent registration period shallbepaidwithanincreased amount.IP/N/1/SWE/D/1
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Article 49.TheGovernment determines thefeesunder thisAct.
Further provisions ontheapplication ofthisActareissued bytheGovernment or,asdecided bythe
Government, bytheRegistration Authority.
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ThisActenters intoforce onJuly1,1970.