美國專利侵權訴訟中強制處分命令的取得與訴訟策略的思考

Abstract

美國聯邦法院的專利侵權訴訟與聯邦政府國際貿易委員會及行政法院依1930年貿易及關稅法三三七條所進行的調查及訴訟是美國為保護其專利權人所設立的獨特雙軌制度。兩種程序中都有強制處分的制度提供專利權人聲請永久性或定暫時狀態的執行命令。專利權人基於專利權的排他性得禁止他人使用其專利，從而獨占專利產品的市場。近年來美國專利權人利用此一機制行使其專利權。無論是排除競爭對手或收取權利金，都獲得顯著的效果。特別是充分利用其中強制處分救濟，將外國競爭者排除於美國市場之外，在國際貿易的競爭中取得優勢。由於英美法系與大陸法系對強制處分與損害賠償的基本觀念不同，在制度設計上也有差異；加以訴訟費用動輒以百萬美元計，都使得美國法院的專利訴訟變成當事人沉重的負擔。本文之目的在介紹、分析及討論美國專利侵權訴訟雙軌制度中的強制處分機制及適用標準。並從訴訟實務的觀點提出策略性的思考，期能有助於實際案件的處理。

Patent infringement cases at the Federal Court and Section 337 litigation at the ITC are protection mechanisms that can be implemented at the discretion of U.S. patent owners. Both systems carry injunctions, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions as powerful weapons for patent owners to exercise their exclusion rights and maintain their monopoly over their patented technology, if so desired. History shows that U.S. patent owners have been employing these mechanisms quite successfully. Consequently, technology-driven industries are threatened by increasingly costly lawsuits as damage awards, attorney fees and associated expenses can easily run into millions of US dollars and become a very heavy burden for the parties involved. The situation is even more burdensome for foreign parties who are compelled to conduct their litigation in Federal Court. This article provides an introduction, analysis, and discussion of how injunctions in patent infringement lawsuits are applied, granted, or rejected. The author also explores, from a strategic view, how a party may be able to manage patent infringement litigation more efficiently.