米国では医者の治療行為も侵害。但し、権利行使はできない
2010.10.07
SKIP
米国では、治療方法も特許になります。特許された治療方法を使えば、医者の行為であっても特許権侵害になります。但し、医者に対しては権利行使を行うことができません。
日本では、治療方法には特許が付与されませんが、医者が特許された医療器械を侵害者から知らずに購入して使用すると、特許権者から訴えられるおそれがありますので、法の趣旨を考えると米国の規定の方がよくできていると思います。
権利行使ができなくても侵害行為であることには変わりがありませんので、医者が治療につかう器具などを収めるメーカーを間接侵害を理由に訴えることは可能です。
35 U.S.C. 287 Limitation on damages and other remedies; marking and notice.
(c)
(1) With respect to a medical practitioner’s performance of a medical activity that constitutes an infringement under section 271(a) or (b) of this title, the provisions of sections 281, 283, 284, and 285 of this title shall not apply against the medical practitioner or against a related health care entity with respect to such medical activity.
35 U.S.C. 281 Remedy for infringement of patent.
A patentee shall have remedy by civil action for infringement of his patent.
35 U.S.C. 283 Injunction.
The several courts having jurisdiction of cases under this title may grant injunctions in accordance with the principles of equity to prevent the violation of any right secured by patent, on such terms as the court deems reasonable.
35 U.S.C. 284 Damages.
Upon finding for the claimant the court shall award the claimant damages adequate to compensate for the infringement but in no event less than a reasonable royalty for the use made of the invention by the infringer, together with interest and costs as fixed by the court.
When the damages are not found by a jury, the court shall assess them. In either event the court may increase the damages up to three times the amount found or assessed. Increased damages under this paragraph shall not apply to provisional rights under section 154(d) of this title.
The court may receive expert testimony as an aid to the determination of damages or of what royalty would be reasonable under the circumstances.
35 U.S.C. 285 Attorney fees.
The court in exceptional cases may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.