Estados Unidos de América

Sudáfrica

Observancia de los derechos de propiedad intelectual

4. Articles 41.1 and 48 of the TRIPS Agreement require establishment of safeguards against abuse of judicial and administrative enforcement procedures, including provision for adequate compensation for injury suffered because of such abuse. Please describe the means available under the law of South Africa to prevent abuse of judicial and administrative procedures or to remedy damages suffered as a result of such abuse and cite the legal authorities for those means.

No specific indemnification provisions against abuse of enforcement procedures exist. However, if a defendant is wrongfully sued or joined in civil proceedings in the Courts, it will be able to set the proceedings aside and will be awarded its legal costs (on the punitive scale if appropriate) and any damages which it might have suffered as a result. Furthermore, in certain instances, the Court may require a plaintiff to furnish security for costs and/or damages.