Intellectual Property Law Criminal Enforcement of Intellectual Property and its Effect on Human Right (Analytical Comparative Examination of TRIPs and Human Rights): A UK and Jordan Case-study by Firas Abdel-Mahdi Massadeh Supervisors: Professor: Alison Firth Dr: Maria -Teresa Gil-Bazo A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Law April 2014 Acknowledgements My utmost respect & sincere thanks is due to Prof. Alison Firth my main supervisor. Her wisdom, genuine support & thoughtful guidance are really of great value and deserve appreciation. These efforts pushed my research forward and inspired me to accomplish this study at its final shape. There is as well the role of Dr. Gil-Bazo; my second supervisor; specially her insightful comments on the methodological, EU and human rights law elements. Her clarifications of some intense and critical points of EU law issues related to the research subject-matter. Intellectual property enforcement and human rights protection; according to EU regulations as well. I would like to put on record my appreciation and gratitude to the library staff at Newcastle law school lead by Catherine Dale for the utmost support and help from the early days until now. I would like also to thank every member of the staff at the law school- Newcastle University, their support, helpful advice during my time here Gemma Hayton and her colleagues. I have to recognise the influence my father Prof. Abdel-Mahdi Massadeh; the former Dean of the faculty of Law at Yaromuk University; had on my initial interest in Academia and legal research at the highest level. My sincerest recognition to those whom offered me their unlimited support and eye- opening views on matters of IP enforcement during the meetings conducted in Jordan. My greatest appreciation to the efforts of Judge Mohammad Al-Gazo, the former Vice-Deputy of the Minister of Justice in Jordan-Amman, whom personally paved the path to meet officials in charge of IP enforcement at the judicial sector and elsewhere. Judge Nehad El-Husban openness, comments related to intellectual property judicial enforcement, the advantages and disadvantages of the system of enforcement. Her willingness to share the main source cases has been a massive effort that should be recognised. The Registrar of Trademarks, Patents and Industrial Design and the head of the judicial department at the trademarks registrar at the ministry of Trade and Industry for the informative data and related case law. I Dedication My eternal gratitude to my family; for endlessly supporting me as a son and brother: ‘in particular to my father and mother for their sustaining belief in my abilities and their understanding patience, combined with supportive firmness at appropriate times.’ Without them I certainly would not been at this position. II Abstract The aims of substantive intellectual property laws and a balance between interested parties can only be achieved through appropriate procedures. Most miscarriages of justice occur procedurally. However the literature on the role of criminal IP procedures is comprehensively slight. The thesis, by a former judge assistant at both the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal in Irbid, Jordan, tackles issues related to enforcement of intellectual property rights and their connection to human rights. It considers the rights of the immediate parties involved, third parties, and the general public interest. It examines the role of Euro-Med Association Agreements in general and that between the EU, its member states and Jordan relevant to intellectual property and human rights. Despite the narrow interpretation of WTO/TRIPs by some commentators, it is argued that TRIPs requires that criminal as well as civil procedures be fair and equitable. The elements of a fair trial are analysed in the context of IP proceedings, comparisons being made between procedural safeguards available in Jordan and the UK (especially England and Wales) jurisdictions which have historical ties. Obligations between states at the international and regional level are analysed, along with their implications at the national level in the UK and Jordan, linked to the EU through the Euro-Med Association Agreement with Jordan. The international human rights instruments provide a common framework in accordance with TRIPs provisions interpreted could bridge the gaps that may arise between the British and Jordanian Jurisdictions. The thesis uses doctrinal comparative and qualitative methods to examine these issues and also the relation between criminal and other methods of enforcement - civil and administrative. Use of criminal procedures may significantly reduce the costs of lengthy civil litigation, and be in the public interest and the interest of all parties. Finally, recommendations are made for Jordan mainly. III Contents Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................... I Dedication ....................................................................................................................................... II Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... III Table of Cases ............................................................................................................................... IX Judicial Resources: .................................................................................................. IX A. UK Case law................................................................................................. IX B. Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) .............................................. X C. European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ................................................... XI D. WTO Dispute Settlement Resolution: ............................................................. XI E. Jordanian Case law (in reverse chronological order) ................................... XII F. Lebanese Case law ........................................................................................ XIV Table of Legislation: Primary and Secondary Acts ................................................................... XIV UK ........................................................................................................................ XIV EU ......................................................................................................................... XIV Commentary on the International Instruments ....................................................... XV Glossary of Abbreviations and Terms ......................................................................................... XV Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 I. Legal Background of the Research Philosophy .................................................. 1 II. The Research Problem ........................................................................................ 2 III. Research Questions ......................................................................................... 3 IV. Propositions ..................................................................................................... 4 V. The essential contributions the thesis makes to the literature are the following 6 1.1. Methodology [International and Comparative Doctrinal Analysis]: some further comments........................................................................................................ 7 1.2. The Empirical Studies under Examination........................................................ 11 1.3. Constraints ......................................................................................................... 16 1.4. Definitions ......................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2. National and International Legal Framework of the Research ................................... 27 2.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 27 2.2. A Preview of Literature Current IP Human Rights Approaches ....................... 29 2.3. The National Law Comparative Common Background of the Research Jordanian Constitutional Standpoint ........................................................................ 31 IV 2.4. The International Comparative ground of the Research ................................... 34 2.5. The “Euro-Med” Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Human Rights and its Intellectual Property Rights Clauses ........................................................................................... 37 2.5.1. Country progress reports concerning IP reform and procedural fair trial 39 2.5.2. The Human Rights Clause .......................................................................... 40 2.5.3. Charter of fundamental Rights, Article 53- Level of protection Connection to the ECHR .......................................................................................................... 41 2.5.4. The effect the EU-Med Jordan Association Agreement has on the requirements for procedural fairness in Jordan................................................... 44 2.5.5. The role of EU external trade regulations has on criminal enforcement of IP .........................................................................................................................