The Similar And Different Regulations
On Industrial Designs
Between China And Canada
He Zijing
Abstract:
With China entering WTO, more and more Chinese industrial designers want to apply internationally to register their designs outside China. This paper shows you the detailed comparison about regulations concerning industrial designs between China and Canada, gives some suggestions about the process to register internationally to protect Chinese applier. Some hints imposed on the difference between the two countries will help to improve our patent law.
KEYWORDS:
Industrial design, China, Canada
1. General introduction on industrial designs
1.1 What is an industrial design?
1.1.1 Of WIPO
An industrial design is the ornamental of aesthetic aspect of an article. The design may consist of three-dimensional features, such as the shape or surface of an article, or of two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or color. Industrial designs are applied to a wide variety of products of industry and handicraft. To be protected under most national laws, an industrial design must appeal to the eye. This means that an industrial design is primarily of an aesthetic nature, and does not protect any technical features of the article to which it is applied.
1.1.2 Of CHINA
Design in the Patent Law means any new design of the shape, the pattern or their combination, or the combination of the color with shape or pattern, of a product with creates an aesthetic feeling and it fits for industrial application.
1.1.3 Of CANADA
Design of industrial design means features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornament and any combination of those features that, in a finished article, appeal to and are judged solely by the eye.
1.2 Other forms of Intellectual Property
In China, Intellectual property can be generally classified as patent, copyright, trademark. Patents, or in other words, inventions-creations, mean inventions, utility models and designs. So that the designs are one of the subdivisions of patents.
Whereas, in Canada, in addition to industrial designs, there other forms of intellectual property, as patents, copyrights, and integrated circuit topographies. Hereby, patents cover new inventions (process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter), or any new and useful improvement of an existing invention. So that industrial designs have the equal statues to patents, as one of the subdivisions of intellectual property.
1.3 Why protect industrial designs?
Industrial designs are what make an article attractive and appealing; hence, they add to the commercial value of a product and increase its marketability.
When an industrial design is protected, the owner-the person or entity that has registered the design-is assured an exclusive right against unauthorized copying or imitation of the design by third parties. This helps to ensure a fair return on investment. An effective system of protection also benefits consumers and the public at large, by promoting fair competition and honest trade practices, encouraging creativity, and promoting more aesthetically attractive product.
Protecting industrial designs helps economic development, by encouraging creativity in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as in the traditional arts and crafts. They contribute to the expansion of commercial activities and the export of national products.
Industrial designs can be relatively simple and inexpensive to develop and protect. They are reasonably accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises as well as to individual artists and craftsmen, in both industrialized and developing countries.
1.4 How can industrial designs be protected?
In most countries, an industrial design must be registered in order to be protected under Industrial Design Law. As for China, the regulations on design are under the Patent Law of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its implementing regulations; As for Canada, The Industrial Design Act and Industrial Design Regulations details the regulations that govern design rights. As a general rule, to be registerable, the design must be “new” or “original”. Different countries have varying definitions of such terms, as well as variations in the registration process itself. Generally, “new” means that no identical or very similar design is known to have existed before.
Depending on the particular national law and the kind of design, an industrial design may also be protected as a work of art under copyright.
2.The main difference concerning registration
2.1 When to file an application
There is no time limit for filing an application as long as the design had never been published. The term “published” means that the design has been made public (even to your neighbors) or offered for commercial sale or use anywhere in the world. It is best to file an quickly as possible if publication has occurred.
In china, an design application does not lose its novelty where, within six months before the date of filing, one of the following events occurred: [1] where it was first exhibited at an international exhibition sponsored of recognized by the Chinese Government;[2]where it was first made public at a prescribed academic or technological meeting;[3]when it was disclosed by any person without the consent of the applicant.
In Canada, the design shall be refused to be registered if the application is filed more than one year after the publication of the design in Canada of somewhere.
2.2 who can apply?
Only the proprietor of a design may apply for and obtain registration for an industrial design both in China and Canada, while there exists little difference between the two countries on the question that who can be defined as proprietor.[1] usually you are considered the proprietor if you have created the design;[2] if you work together with other person to creat a design, you should file for registration as joint proprietors ( unless you are all working under contract or commission );[3] if you have acquired ownership of a design, then you may apply;[4] if you are employee of a company and develop design as part of your employment, then the employer may be the proprietor. In that case, only the employer may apply in Canada; while in china, the entity and the inventor or creator may enter into a contract in which the right to apply for and own the exclusive right is provided for;[5] if you have been hired under contract to develop design for someone else, then that person is the proprietor and is the only one entitled to apply for registration in Canada; whereas in that case in China, the right to apply for registration belongs, unless otherwise agreed upon, to the entity or individual that made the design.
2.3 What requirements to make designs registerable?
In Canada, the minister shall register the design if the minister finds that it is not identical with or dose not so closely resemble any other design already registered as to be confounded therewith, and shall return to the proprietor thereof the drawing or photograph and description with the certificate required.
In China, any design for which patent fight may be granted must not be identical with and similar to any design which, before the date of falling has been publicly disclosed in publications in the country or abroad or has been publicly used in the country, and must not be in conflict with any prior right of any other person.
2.4 What you cannot register?
In Canada, you cannot register the following under the Industrial Design Act: [1] Designs that are utilitarian only and which are not intended to provide visual appeal; [2] Designs that have no fixed appearance; [3] Designs for components that are not clearly visible; [4] a method of construction; [5] an idea; [6] materials used in the construction of an article; [7] the useful function of the article; or [8] color.
In China, for any of the following, no patent right shall be granted: [1] scientific discoveries;[2] rules and methods for mental activities;[3] methods for diagnoses or for the treatment for the diseases;[4] animal and plant varieties;[5] substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation.
From the above regulations, we can see that the Chinese regulations is more generic for all of the three types of creation-inventions; and the Canadian’s is more special in detail on designs. So we should absorb some of them in our implementing regulations of patent law.
2.5 searching of office record prior to filing an application
Prior to filing an application, you may wish to conduct a search of office records in order to better determine whether your design is truly new and original. This will give you the opportunity to see other registered designs. You should also keep your design confidential.
2.6 How long the process takes?
In Canada, the Office dose not register any design until six months after the date of filing. Normally it takes between eight and twelve months to have your application examined. While in china, there is no such kind of provisions concerning the term of process of designs.
2.7 Duration of protection
Both in the two countries, duration of protection of industrial designs is for ten-year term, while the beginning date is quite different. In Canada, it is the date of registration-usually six months after the date of filing; in china, it is the date of filing. Once the ten-year term has expired, anyone is free to make, import, rent or sell etc., the designs.
2.8 Extension of protection
In Canada, your application must include a description which identifies the features that constitute the design since the court may use your description to help determine the limits of protection for your design, you should word your description with care and precision. If your description is too broad, you may over-extend the scope of the design, and it may be impossible to enforce. If it is too narrow, you may limit the scope of the design or leave out features that you intended to protect.
北京市密云水库怀柔水库和京密引水渠水源保护管理条例
北京市人大常委会
北京市密云水库怀柔水库和京密引水渠水源保护管理条例
北京市人大常委会
（1995年7月27日北京市第十届人民代表大会常务委员会第十九次会议通过）
第一章 总 则
第一条 为加强密云水库、怀柔水库和京密引水渠（以下简称两库一渠）水源保护，防止水质污染，保障人民身体健康，促进国民经济和社会发展，根据国家有关法律、法规，结合本市实际情况，制定本条例。
第二条 本条例适用于两库一渠在本市行政区域内的保护范围。
第三条 市人民政府应当将两库一渠水源保护管理工作纳入国民经济和社会发展计划，采取有力的对策和措施，促进两库一渠水源保护管理工作。
第四条 市环境保护局对本条例的实施实行统一监督管理。
密云县、怀柔县人民政府和京密引水渠沿线的其他区、县人民政府在本区、县范围内负责本条例的组织实施。
密云县、怀柔县环境保护局和京密引水渠沿线的其他区、县环境保护局在辖区内对实施本条例实行监督管理，检查辖区内单位和个人遵守本条例的情况。
市计划、规划、建设、水利、公用、林业、公安、卫生等管理部门，按照各自的职责，负责两库一渠水源保护管理工作。
第五条 任何单位和个人都有保护两库一渠水源不受污染的义务，有权对污染两库一渠水质的行为进行劝阻、检举和控告。
第六条 对在两库一渠水源保护的科学技术研究、先进技术推广以及在水源保护管理工作中成绩突出的单位和个人，由市人民政府给予表彰和奖励。
第二章 保护区的划定
第七条 按照水源保护管理要求，两库一渠水源保护范围划分为一、二、三级保护区。
第八条 密云水库一级保护区为密云水库环库公路以内（荞麦峪西侧至口门子村、城子以南至黄土洼以北、前保峪岭至老爷庙背水一侧及年鱼沟南背水一侧划定的区域除外），包括内湖区及环库公路以外由市人民政府划定的近水地带。
第九条 怀柔水库一级保护区为怀柔水库主坝分水线、长副坝、怀沙公路、京通铁路、怀黄三十五千伏高压线、山脊线一圈以内。
第十条 京密引水渠一级保护区为从密云水库龚庄子闸到团城湖南闸段规划渠道上口线两侧各水平外延一百米以内地区。
密云水库调节池及入调节池的尾水渠道上口线两侧各水平外延一百米以内地区划为一级保护区。
第十一条 密云水库、怀柔水库二级保护区为一级保护区之外至两库的向水坡范围以内以及密云水库调节池的汇水范围以内。
第十二条 密云水库、怀柔水库三级保护区为二级保护区以外上游河道的流域。
第三章 防止水源污染
第十三条 两库一渠一级保护区为非建设区和非旅游区，禁止新建、改建、扩建除水利或者供水工程以外的工程项目，禁止在密云水库、怀柔水库坝上地区和京密引水渠两岸水利工程管理范围内设置商业网点。
对一、二级保护区内水质的环境规划、管理和评价，执行国家《地面水环境质量标准》中的二级标准和国家《生活饮用水卫生标准》中的生活饮用水源卫生标准。
第十四条 在两库一渠一级保护区内禁止下列行为：
（一）直接或者间接向水体排放污水、废液，倾倒垃圾、渣土和其他固体废弃物；
（二）在滩地和岸坡堆放、存贮垃圾、渣土和其他固体废弃物；
（三）在两库一渠水面游泳、进行水上训练以及其他水上体育、娱乐活动和未经市环境保护局批准的船只下水；
（四）设置禽畜养殖场；
（五）直接在水体内洗刷车辆、衣物和其他器具等；
（六）毒鱼、炸鱼、电鱼及在非指定的水域钓鱼；
（七）施用对人体有害的鱼药和高毒、高残留的农药；
（八）露营、野炊等污染水质的旅游活动；
（九）未经市水利局批准的车辆上坝；
（十）违反法律、法规的其他污染水质的行为。
第十五条 密云水库、怀柔水库二级保护区内不得建设直接或者间接向水体排放污水的建设项目。
第十六条 密云水库、怀柔水库三级保护区内不得建设化工、造纸、制药、制革、印染、电镀、冶金以及其他对水质有严重污染的建设项目。建设其他项目，必须遵守国家和本市有关建设项目环境保护管理规定。
第十七条 在两库一渠保护区内的单位，应当遵守下列规定：
（一）遵守水源保护管理的法律、法规，接受环境保护、水利、规划等管理部门的监督检查；
（二）建立健全并落实本单位水源保护责任制度；
（三）一级保护区内的原有单位和二级保护区内的单位排放水污染物的，执行《北京市水污染物排放标准》中的一级标准；
（四）保持污水处理或者其他防治污染设备设施的完好和安全运行，并制定防止污染水源的应急措施，禁止将未经处理的污水直接排入水体。污水处理设施因检修、改造或者更新需暂停使用的，必须提前15天报所在地区、县环境保护管理部门审查批准，经批准并在采取防止水污染措
施后，方可进行；
（五）当发生事故或者其他突然性事件，造成或者可能造成水质污染时，应当采取有效措施防止或者减轻污染，并立即向当地人民政府和环境保护管理部门报告。
第十八条 市环境保护局对两库一渠保护区内的污染源实施污染物排放总量控制。在总量超标的情况下，经市人民政府批准，由市环境保护局责令有关单位减少或者停止排放污染物。
凡在两库一渠保护区内排放污染物超过排放标准的，由环境保护管理部门责令其限期治理。
第十九条 市和有关区、县人民政府在两库一渠保护区内应当大力植树造林，保护自然植被，防治水土流失，改善生态环境，提高水体自净能力。
第二十条 在密云水库从事网箱养鱼的单位或者个人必须严格按照市环境保护局、市水利局、市渔业行政主管部门共同批准的规模和地点从事网箱养鱼活动，并在每年6月份向所在地环境保护局报告养鱼的数量及投放饵料、药物情况。
禁止在密云水库白河主坝、九松山副坝以及其他取水口三公里范围以内和怀柔水库内从事网箱养鱼。
第四章 管理部门职责
第二十一条 密云县、怀柔县人民政府和京密引水渠沿线的其他区、县人民政府职责：
（一）依照本条例加强对两库一渠水源保护管理工作的领导，按照《北京城市总体规划》的要求，保护水源，发展经济；
（二）建立健全实施本条例的各项责任制度，监督检查本区、县各部门落实责任制度；
（三）严格控制两库一渠一级保护区范围内人口的机械增长。加强库区移民搬迁工作，妥善安排库区移民生活。密云县人民政府应当按照市人民政府的统一安排，有计划地组织好密云水库一级保护区内的人口搬迁工作；
（四）向人民群众进行自觉遵守水源保护的法律、法规的宣传教育。
第二十二条 市和有关区、县环境保护局应当按照规定的职责权限负责两库一渠水源保护管理工作的监督检查，审批建设项目的环境影响报告书（表），参加建设项目竣工验收，组织水体水质监测网络，汇总监测资料，定期向同级人民政府报告水质情况，并负责调查处理水污染纠纷和
事故。
第二十三条 市城市规划管理局对两库一渠保护区内建设工程项目依法进行统一规划管理。对按规定可以在一、二级保护区内建设的工程项目，应当严格审批管理，批准建设项目的选址、定点必须先征得市环境保护局同意。
三级保护区内建设工程的规划管理，由市和区县规划、环境保护管理部门依照有关法律、法规审批。
第二十四条 市水利局职责：
（一）领导两库一渠管理处做好水源保护管理工作；
（二）参与两库一渠水体水质保护的规划和污染防治计划的制定；
（三）对两库一渠进行水质监测，并向市环境保护局提供水质水文资料；
（四）每年会同市环境保护局对两库一渠进行一次或者两次水质评价；
（五）两库一渠管理处应当合理布设水库水质监测点，定期监测水质，对进入保护区内的人员进行宣传教育，对钓鱼者进行管理。
第二十五条 市公用局应当会同市水利局、市卫生局在密云水库和怀柔水库生活饮用水取水口周围划定卫生防护区，并采取严格管理措施，加强水质监测，确保取用水符合国家生活饮用水卫生标准。当取水口卫生保护区内水质受到污染时，要采取紧急措施，并立即向市人民政府报告。
第二十六条 市公安局应加强两库一渠治安秩序的管理和治安保卫工作，维护两库一渠饮用水源的公共安全。
第二十七条 两库一渠各项保护管理工作坚持统一领导，各负其责，协调一致的原则。各管理部门应当密切协作和配合，并按照本条例规定的职责建立健全和落实管理责任制度，不断提高管理水平。
第二十八条 市人民政府设立库区移民发展基金，具体办法由市人民政府制定。
第五章 法律责任
第二十九条 违反本条例第十四条规定，有下列行为之一的，由环境保护管理部门责令其停止违法行为、限期改正或者采取其他补救措施，并对责任单位处以5000元至5万元罚款，对责任人处以200元至1000元罚款。
（一）直接或者间接向水体排放污水、废液，倾倒垃圾、渣土或者其他固体废弃物的；
（二）在滩地和岸坡堆放、存贮垃圾、渣土和其他固体废弃物的；
（三）在两库一渠水面游泳，进行水上训练以及其他水上体育、娱乐活动的；
（四）设置禽畜养殖场的；
（五）直接在水体内洗刷车辆、衣物和其他器具的；
（六）施用对人体有害的鱼药和高毒、高残留的农药的；
（七）进行露营、野炊等污染水质的旅游活动的；
（八）其他污染水质的行为。
市水利管理部门有权对前款第（三）、（五）、（七）项的违法行为责令停止违法行为，并对责任人处以200元至1000元罚款。
第三十条 违反本条例第十七条规定，有下列行为之一的，由环境保护管理部门责令其纠正违法行为、采取补救措施，并对责任单位处以1万元至10万元罚款，对单位负责人处以200元至1000元罚款。
（一）未建立或者未落实本单位水源保护责任制度和未制定防止污染水源应急措施的；
（二）防治污染的设备设施未经批准擅自停用或者将未经处理的污水直接排入水体的；
（三）在发生事故或者其他突然性事件，造成或者可能造成水质污染时，不及时采取有效措施或者不及时向当地人民政府和环境保护管理部门报告的。
第三十一条 违反本条例第十八条第二款规定，排放的污染物超过排放标准，逾期未完成限期治理任务的，由市环境保护局报市人民政府决定责令其停业或搬迁，并对责任单位处以1万元至10万元罚款，对单位负责人处以200元至1000元罚款。
第三十二条 违反本条例第二十条规定，未按批准的规模和地点从事网箱养鱼活动及不按规定要求和期限报告养鱼情况的，由环境保护管理部门责令其停止违法行为，限期改正，并对责任单位处以5000元至5万元罚款，对责任人处以200元至1000元罚款。
第三十三条 违反国家和本市建设项目保护管理规定及本条例的有关规定，在密云水库、怀柔水库保护区内进行建设的，由环境保护管理部门责令立即停止建设或者使用，并按照国家和本市有关规定处罚。
对违法审批的，由有关主管部门追究责任人员的行政责任。
第三十四条 市规划、建设、水利、公用、林业、公安、卫生等管理部门对违反本条例的行为，按照各自的职责，依法予以处罚。
第三十五条 区、县环境保护局可以处5万元以下的罚款；超过5万元的罚款，报市环境保护局批准。
第三十六条 当事人对行政处罚决定不服的，可以依法申请复议或者向人民法院提起诉讼。当事人逾期不申请复议，也不提起诉讼，又不履行处罚决定的，由作出处罚决定的机关申请人民法院强制执行。
第三十七条 违反本条例，造成重大污染事故，导致公私财产重大损失或者人身伤亡的严重后果的，对有关责任人员依法追究刑事责任。
第三十八条 拒绝、阻碍两库一渠管理工作人员依法执行职务或者侮辱、殴打管理工作人员的，由公安机关依照《中华人民共和国治安管理处罚条例》给予处罚；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第三十九条 两库一渠管理工作人员应当忠于职守，秉公执法，严格管理。凡玩忽职守、滥用职权、徇私舞弊的，由其所在单位或者上级主管机关给予行政处分，构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第六章 附 则
第四十条 本条例具体应用中的问题，由市人民政府负责解释。
第四十一条 本条例自1995年11月1日起施行。
1995年7月27日
