中美經貿協議中「要求迅速下架」條款解讀

The Interpretation of“Require Expeditious Takedowns”Clause in the Economic and Trade Agreement between China and the U.S.

中美經貿協議要求，中國大陸電子商務平臺在收到通知後需對盜版與假冒商品「迅速下架」。從文義解釋來看，該要求可適用於電商平臺中的各類知識產權，但基於條約解釋規則，該條款應僅適用於傳統電商平臺中的著作權和商標權侵權，且下架主要指移除或斷開鏈接措施。下架「迅速」與否並無明確的期限，需視服務類型等因素綜合判斷。中國大陸司法裁判和互聯網企業在「迅速」採取措施方面與美國並沒有明顯差距。據此，中國大陸立法和司法實踐需從過去的「寬鬆合格通知＋多樣必要措施」轉變為「嚴格合格通知＋嚴厲必要措施」；在未來的裁判中強化對電商著作權和商標權侵權未採下架措施案型的論證；中國大陸在引入協議中的「下架」概念時，應與「必要措施」相區分；並留意和說明網路服務提供者採取的措施是否及時。

The article 1.13 in the Economic and Trade Agreement between China and the U.S. requires China to take an effective notice and takedown system to address infringement on E-Commerce platforms, including “require expeditious takedowns” regarding piracy and counterfeiting. This requirement may be applicable to all kinds of intellectual property rights from the plain meaning. However, the application of this clause should be limited in copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting on traditional E-Commerce platforms in light of the treaties’ interpretation rule. Meanwhile, the “takedowns” refers to removal of or disabling of access to material or activity claimed. Whether the actions are taken “expeditiously” should be determined in accordance with the circumstances, such as the categories of service, and “without undue delay”, rather than “a specific duration” rule should be applied. The judicial decisions and commercial practices between China and the U.S. are close on the issue of “expeditious”. Therefore, the legislation and judicial practice should be adjusted from “low threshold notification+various necessary steps” to “high threshold notification+takedown”; the arguments should be detailed if a judgment does not apply takedown requirement to a E-Commerce platform concerning copyright and trademark issue; the distinction between “necessary steps” and “takedowns” should be recognized once we use the terminology “takedown” in statutes in China; the issue on whether the steps are taken “expeditiously” should also be paid more attention and explanation in judgments.