News
1Amended Accelerated Examination Program (AEP) Effective Jan 1, 2022
In order to promote the research and development of green patents and accelerate commercialization of related products, the scope of applicability of AEP will be expanded to include green technologies such as energy-saving, carbon emission reduction, and resource-saving technologies.In addition, applications on the grounds of "essential to commercial exploitation" and " inventions related to green technologies" will have their accelerated examination results issued within 6 months instead of 9 after filing all necessary documents, expediting the examination process of relevant cases.The amended Accelerated Examination Program is published on the TIPO website for reference by the public.
2Industry Collaborative Patent Interview Pilot Program Takes Effect Nov. 1, 2021
Examination efficiency and quality can be improved by enhancing patent examiners’ ability to quickly grasp technical concepts in patent applications that pertain to advanced technology. Intending to provide applicants with swift and smooth patent rights application experience, TIPO has formulated the Industry Collaborative Patent Interview Pilot Program for a trial period of one year starting from November 1, 2021. The decision on whether to adjust and renew the program will be determined by evaluations subsequent to the trial period.In this program, if the examiner determines that an application pertains to advanced technology and an interview can lead to a better understanding of the technical content in an application, the examiner may act upon their own initiative and notify the applicant of an interview. Applicants may explain the technical content of their patent applications if they so wish. As a general rule, there is a limit of 10 applications per interview. Applicants of patent applications that pertain to advanced technology may also proactively submit a letter of intent in paper or electronic form after TIPO has notified the applicant of a substantive examination and before receiving office action or a written decision of patent examination. There is no application fee for said interviews.The aforementioned “advanced technologies” in this pilot program include stem cell regenerative medicine, medical care informatics, micro-LED display, neural network, quantum computer, 3nm semiconductor manufacturing process, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, big data, blockchain, and 5G mobile communication technology. For details of this program, please refer to the TIPO website.
3Carbon Reduction Technology Development Patent Map Available on TIPO Website
"Net Zero by 2050" is a shared goal worldwide; R&D of carbon reduction technologies not only promotes "Net Zero Carbon Emission," but also brings forth unlimited business opportunities. TIPO has completed the Carbon Reduction Technology Development Patent Map based on the seven categories of WIPO IPC Green Inventory established in 2010. The Map includes analyses of patent application trends in related industries in the past decade and reference cases of major patent applicants in each field of technology, presenting new directions in future R&D projects.In addition, TIPO has established the "Green Technology Section" in the Global Patent Search System (GPSS). This section provides technical analysis reports in the seven categories of WIPO IPC Green Inventory, along with a search interface with a faceted navigation system, providing users a platform to search for patents that hold great reference value for future R&D developments.
4Manual on Patent Application and Management Practices for Enterprises Now Available!
To assist enterprises in gaining a deeper understanding of the acquisition, maintenance, and utilization of patents, TIPO has compiled the Manual on Patent Application and Management Practices for Enterprises , which has been available on the TIPO website for reference.The manual includes useful information to enterprises, such as government resources and services related to intellectual property, a checklist for patent applications, as well as tips and reminders on the patent application progress, patent right maintenance, and management practices.
5Global Hit Squid Game Sparks Craze, Netflix Applies for Trademark in Taiwan
Since Squid Game’s release on Netflix on September 17 this year, the worldwide popular Korean series has exceeded 100 million viewers in just over half a month and has become the most popular series in Netflix’s history. Netflix filed trademark applications for “SQUID GAME” for a plethora of goods and services, which includes software and apps, audio and video recordings, stationeries, publications, apparel, figurines and toys, entertainment services, etc., in multiple countries such as the U.S. and Jamaica on September 28. Of the countries Netflix seeks to secure trademarks in, Taiwan is no exception. The streaming service provider filed applications for “魷魚遊戲” and “Squid Game” on October 15 and 19, respectively; both of which are currently pending .Netflix will undoubtedly make more active use of “Squid Game” – a hot issue and a bonanza for merchandise – and protect the commercial interests it brought along. According to observations of past trademark applications, after movies, tv-series, or video games grew in popularity, IP Offices would often be overwhelmed with a huge influx of applications. Take the case of the popular “哈利波特” / “Harry Potter” as an example; there were as many as 30 trademark applications filed which were then refused. It is important to note that if one wishes to apply for a trademark same or similar to another well-known trademark, they should be mindful of avoiding free-riding, a behavior that may lead to trademark rights disputes.The men in red wearing masks bearing a circle, triangle, or square shape throughout the show are also the selling points of the series. TIPO pointed out that geometric figures such as “○,” “Δ,” and “□” are usually generic and unable to capture consumers’ attention, therefore unlikely to be registered as trademarks. To be registered as a trademark usually takes a sign of sufficient distinctive character or an extensively-used design.The purpose of applying for trademark registration is to create iconic distinctiveness that allows consumers to distinguish the source of goods or services, so as to grasp business opportunities, and consolidate market share. TIPO does not encourage jumping on the bandwagon or piggybacking on the popularity of any trend. After all, each brand is the fruit of painstaking labor of the creator, which deserves the public’s respect and support.
6TIPO’s Q3 2021 IPR Statistics Report
In Q3 2021, TIPO received a total of 18,139 patent applications (including invention, utility model, and design patents) as well as 24,699 trademark applications; this represents a 4% and 5% decrease, respectively, compared with the same period last year. Invention patent applications filed by large domestic enterprises saw an increase of 6%. TSMC took the lead among resident applicants (580) and Applied Materials among non-resident applicants (220). Most trademark applications were filed under “Agriculture.” Uni-President (250) and Shenzhen Futu Network (71) ranked the top among resident and non-resident applicants, respectively.Patent ApplicationsAmong the three types of patent applications, there were 12,248 invention patent applications filed, a number that grew by 2%, compared to the same period last year. The growth was mainly due to an increase in non-resident applications. On the other hand, the number of utility model and design patent applications fell (see Table 1).The applications from domestic enterprises (3,757) grew slightly. Applications filed by large enterprises (3,010) rose by 6%, hitting a record high in five years, representing a robust R&D capability.Most of the numbers of applications of top 10 invention patent applicants and top 5 design applicants increased. Among them, TSMC claimed the top spot with 580 applications, dominated invention patents for 6 consecutive years. As for Acer, with 30 applications, it leaped to the top of design patent applications for the first time, outnumbering all others (see Figure 2 and 3).The number of non-resident applications showed slight growth, mainly due to an increase of 5% in invention patents (see Table 1). Among non-resident applicants, Japan took the lead with 3,060 invention patent applications and 268 design patent applications (see Figure 1).As for the top 10 non-resident applicants, Applied Materials topped the invention patent list by filing 220 applications; PSA occupied the leading place in design patents with 74 applications (see Figure 2 and 3).Trademark ApplicationsCompared to the same period (Q3) last year, trademark applications TIPO received showed a 5% decrease at 24,699; the number of classes covered showed a 3% decrease at 31,594. The number of resident applications fell by 7%, while that of non-resident remained constant (see Table 1).In terms of application classes, resident applicants filed the most applications (4,158) in class 35 (advertising, business management, retail, wholesale services, etc.), marking a 9% increase (see Figure 4). Uni-President filed 250 applications, ranking first among resident applicants. Hki Da Jiang took the second spot with 86 cases in Q3 2021, showing a rapid growth compared to the 0 cases in Q3 2020 (see Table 2).The majority of non-resident applications were filed under class 9 (computer and technology products, etc.), totaling 1,177 applications (see Figure 5). Mainland China filed the most applications (1,366) compared to other countries/regions (see Figure 1). Shenzhen Futu Network, which was not an applicant in Q3 2020, filed 71 applications, outnumbering all other non-resident applicants (see Table 3).As for industry categories, most trademark applications TIPO received are classified under “Agriculture.” Resident applications show a high concentration in “Agriculture” at 6,087, a number far more significant than those of other non-resident applications. Non-resident applications were mostly filed under the “research and technology” industry at 1,976 (see Figure 6).
7Taiwan and South Korea Sign MoU on Design Patent Priority Document Exchange
Taiwan and Korea signed an MoU on Electronic Exchange of Priority Document (PDX) for Design Patents on November 12, 2021, following the collaboration between Taiwan and Japan on Design Patent Priority Document Exchange in 2019. Through bilateral cooperation between the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office and the Korean Intellectual Property Office, applicants are exempt from submitting priority documents in hard copy.Priority Documents are required in the event that a subsequent patent application is filed with a priority claim. Under the MoU on the Exchange of Industrial Property Information and the Electronic Exchange of Priority Documents signed in 2015, the PDX program has been applicable to invention and utility model patent applications. As the aforementioned program has been put to extensive use by applicants from both countries since its implementation, TIPO and KIPO decided to include design patent priority documents in the program. Once implemented, it can save applicants’ time on mailing paperwork, streamline cross-country application procedures, and make the priority document exchange mechanism more comprehensive and robust.TIPO and KIPO will be actively conducting system development and testing in the future. According to the schedule planned by both offices, the system is estimated to be officially launched in July 2023, which will provide more convenient examination services for applicants.
8Sept. 2021 Revision of the Article-by-Article Interpretation of the Trademark Act
To promote public awareness of the Trademark Act, TIPO published the Article-by-Article Interpretation of the Trademark Act in 2004 and has continued to revise it in response to amendments to relevant laws. After the previous revision (January 2017), the attached list to Article 19 of the Enforcement Rules of the Trademark Act and the infringement identifying process in Article 7 and 9 of the Regulations Governing Customs Measures in Protecting the Rights and Interests of Trademark have been amended. Additionally, a number of examination guidelines have also been established or amended, including the Principles for Examining Trademarks Which Include the “Cross Device”, Operational Directions for Third-Party Observations on Trademark Registration Applications, and Examination Guidelines on Procedural Examination of Applications for Trademark Registration. Trademark-related laws and judicial practices have changed considerably, hence the revision this year.Relevant key points include “Non-traditional Trademark Types,” “Trademark Distinctiveness Assessment,” “Factors Determining Likelihood of Confusion,” “Proprietor of the Earlier Used Trademark,” “The Exhaustion Doctrine,” and related court decisions are compiled into the Article-by-Article Interpretation of the Trademark Act. Available on the TIPO website.
9Taiwan Innotech Expo 2021
As impacts of the pandemic still linger, the 2021 Taiwan Innotech Expo (TIE) was held in a hybrid format that combined physical and virtual elements. The physical exhibition ran for 3 days from October 14 to 16 at Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1; the interactive virtual expo took place from October 14 to 23. As for the online exhibition, it will be open until the end of this year. All are welcome to join us at the TIE online exhibition, the most iconic R&D platform in Taiwan!The exhibition comprised 2 main sections: an invention competition and the Three Major Themed Pavilions. The inventions competition exhibited over 400 inventions from individual inventors, industries, and academia and research institutions from home and abroad. Through the competition, the world’s most groundbreaking and original inventions with the greatest market potential were awarded the highest accolade: the prestigious Platinum Award. In addition, there was a sub-exhibition, entitled Outstanding Invention Collections, where winning works of the National Invention and Creation Award in 2020 was displayed, thereby demonstrating the innovative strengths of the people of Taiwan.Three Major Themed Pavilions, a joint-exhibition held by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Labor, Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan, National Development Council, Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan, and Academia Sinica, consisted of three major themes: Innovation Pilot, Future Tech, and Sustainability. The exhibition has showcased the interdisciplinary research results and innovative technologies developed by the abovementioned government agencies.Forty international VIPs shared their most advanced technological viewpoints and analyses; approximately 180 technical presentations and online business meetings were conducted to facilitate business opportunities. For the first time, automated online tours of six themes and AI algorithms were introduced, efficiently providing recommendations and customized content that would be of interest to visitors.
10Industry Trademark Application Strategy Manual for Designated Goods and Services Available!
TIPO published the Industry Trademark Application Strategy Manual for Designated Goods and Services and Comparison Tables for Standard Industrial Classification and Goods/Services Classification, hoping to explain and offer suggestions pertaining to the selection of designated goods or services when filing applications so as to get trademark protection needed within a specific industry. They were published on the TIPO website on September 27 for all to use.The aforementioned manual can be downloaded from the Traditional Chinese TIPO website under “Trademark(商標主題網)” – “Information(資訊專區)” – “Trademark Application Information for Industries(產業申請商標資訊專區)” – “Industry Trademark Application Strategy Manual for Designated Goods and Services (產業申請商標指定商品及服務策略手冊).”“Comparison Tables for Standard Industrial classification and Goods/Services Classification Search(行業類別與商品/服務分類組群對照查詢)” is a brand new function within the trademark search system, currently available in Chinese. A link to the manual is displayed on the Industry Trademark Application Strategy Manual for Designated Goods and Services(產業申請商標指定商品及服務策略手冊) webpage, offering users quick access to information, such as the classification of goods/services corresponding to a specific industry. Moreover, it provides a platform to cross-reference between Standard Industrial classification and Nice classification.
112020 Invention Patent Application Trends across Technology Fields during COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, TIPO received 43,921 invention patent applications. Among them, resident applications remained stable, while non-resident applications decreased by 6%. South Korea rose by 5.5% among filing countries/regions, while Japan, the US, mainland China, and Germany dropped by 2%~8%. Semiconductors and computer technology took the top 2 spots among 35 technology fields. However, their downward trajectories, coupled with the decrease in digital communication filings, were considered to be the major cause of the dip in overall invention filings. On the other hand, the applications filed in the fields of medical technology and biotechnology saw double-digit growth.Semiconductors and computer technology took top and second spots; medical technology and biotechnology saw the fastest growthIn 2020, semiconductors (4,775) topped the technology fields of invention patent applications, followed by computer technology (3,999). Compared to 2019, medical technology (1,496), and biotechnology (1,020) saw the fastest growth by 15.3% and 11.3% respectively, while semiconductors, computer technology, and digital communication (1,388) fell by 13.3% (-735), 6.8% (-291), and 21.1% (-372). The drop in these fields combined (-1,398) accounted for over 90% of the overall decrease in applications (-1,536) in 2020 (Fig. 1).Residents filed the most in computer technology (2,329) and semiconductors (1,952) in 2020; non-residents in semiconductors (2,823) and computer technology (1,670). Regarding resident filings, medical technology (955, +28.7%) recorded the biggest growth. Over the same period, other special machines (495, +16.5%), handling (433, +12.2%), and pharmaceuticals (327, +6.5%) also increased, while semiconductors, computer technology, and digital communication (509) fell by 3%~12%. As for non-residents, biotechnology (840) recorded the fastest growth at 18.1%, while pharmaceuticals dropped by 9.2%, semiconductors, computer technology, and digital communication (879) further fell by 10%~26% (Fig. 2).TSMC, Realtek Semiconductor, and U.S.-based Qualcomm led invention patent filings in semiconductors, computer technology, and digital communication fieldsIn 2020, the top applicants in computer technology, semiconductors, and digital communication fields were Realtek Semiconductor (118), TSMC (788), and Qualcomm (395) respectively (Table 1).In computer technology, mainland China, the U.S., and South Korea applicants increased their filings in 2020; applications from mainland China saw the biggest growth (+27.7%), outnumbering the U.S. Among non-residents, Japan led in semiconductors, while the U.S. led (+12.6%) in digital communication (Fig. 3).TCI, Japan-based DAIO PAPER, and U.S.-based GENENTECH led invention patent filings in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and biotechnologyIn 2020, the top applicants in medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals were DAIO PAPER (34), GENENTECH (17), and TCI (40) respectively (Table 2).In 2020, Japan (+12.9%) filed the highest number of applications in medical technology among non-residents. In the biotechnology field, annual application growth rates in the US, Japan, and mainland China ranged from 10-26%, with the U.S. outstripping other countries/regions. In pharmaceuticals, the U.S. also led among non-resident applicants. However, the filings from the U.S and Japan fell by 18% and 13%, while those from mainland China grew by 20% (Fig. 4).Invention patent applications decreased due to the decline in non-resident filings in 2020The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic in March of 2020. During the months of 2020, except March, invention patent filings dropped. This was mainly due to the sustained drop in non-resident filings and decline in resident filings since April, with resident filings eventually dropping to -2%~3% (Fig. 5) since June. In 2020, TIPO received 43,921 filings (-3.4%), whereas 18,244 were filed by residents (+0.5%), and 25,677 were filed by non-residents (-6.0%) (Fig. 6, Fig. 7).Invention patent application filed by South Korea increased, while those by Japan, the U.S., mainland China, and Germany droppedA breakdown by applicant nationality shows that Japan topped the list with 11,356 invention patent applications, followed by the US (5,521), mainland China (2,608), South Korea (1,667), and Germany (875). At the beginning of the pandemic, filings from South Korea (annual growth rate of 5.5%) fell sharply by 9% in April but rebounded soon afterward. The U.S (-2.4%) and Germany (-6.2%) showed similar trends but recovered later in August. On the other hand, filings from mainland China (-3.4%) rose dramatically in Q2 but dropped in Q3 2020, while Japan (-8.1%) saw declines since March 2020 (Fig. 7, Fig. 8).
12TIPO to Incorporate Changes Introduced by Locarno Classification (13th Edition) September 1st, 2021
TIPO has updated its classification list of industrial designs in accordance with the 13th edition of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Locarno Classification for Industrial Designs (effective since 2021); changes include newly added categories for various arrangements of shop interiors and window displays as well as emerging technologies such as virtual reality devices.The new classification list has been published on the TIPO website and is applicable to design applications submitted after September 1st, 2021.
13Registration for Copyright Advocacy Online Seminar Series Now Open!
To circumvent any misconceptions or negligent conduct that leads to copyright infringement, TIPO continues to hold Information Sessions on Protection of Internet Copyright, Information Sessions on Copyright in Cultural and Creative Industries, and Seminar for Copyright Knowledge and IPR Infringements and Enforcement Practices for Online Sellers and Influencers in 2021. This seminar series has been held starting from August 18th, aiming to provide clear information regarding copyrights for both related rights holders and users in the cultural and creative industries as well as social media managers, namely those who run e-commerce businesses or operate on platforms such as Youtube channels, Facebook fanpages, and blogs.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TIPO will host the seminars virtually via livestream. Legal experts and practitioners are invited to give lectures on common copyright cases and answer questions from the attendees. All are welcome to sign up for the upcoming seminars!
14Online Seminar on IPR of Indigenous Peoples’ Traditional Intellectual Creations and Cultural and Creative Industries Registration Open!
An online seminar on “Issues related to Intellectual Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples' Traditional Intellectual Creations and Cultural and Creative Industries” will be held by TIPO on September 15th, 2021. TIPO aims to facilitate, enhance the value, and promote IPR protection of indigenous peoples' traditional intellectual creations and cultural and creative industries.This seminar will cover four major topics, including the protection of design patents and cultural and creative goods, trademark application and related case studies, concepts of copyright essential to cultural and creative industries, and the practice of licensing exclusive rights for traditional intellectual creations of indigenous peoples. We sincerely welcome all cultural and creative workers, designers, and practitioners of intellectual property rights to participate.
15TIPO holds Information Sessions on Patent Laws and Regulations 2021
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, TIPO is holding the Information Sessions on Patent Laws and Regulations via live webcast on September 9th. The information sessions will provide explanations on the Requirements for Design Patents’ Descriptions and Drawings announced in May, the Examination Guidelines for Computer Software-Related Inventions announced in July, and other important amendments to the patent examination guidelines.
162021 APEC Workshop on the Potential for Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the Field of IPR Wrapped Up!
The 1.5-day 2021 APEC Workshop on the Potential for Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the Field of IPR was held by TIPO on July 29th and 30th. This workshop facilitated in-depth knowledge exchanges among APEC member economies; more than 450 participants from various member economies of APEC joined online, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.In order to effectively evaluate the potential for use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the field of IPR, TIPO has actively proposed relevant initiatives. With support from Canada, Japan, Thailand, and the United States, TIPO was granted subsidies by APEC in 2020 for the project on “Potential for Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Field of IPR”. This very workshop is one of the main outputs of the project.The online workshop was held as scheduled even under the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Government officials, lawyers, patent attorneys, patent agents, and other practitioners from related fields actively participated. Moreover, TIPO invited experienced government officials, judges, lawyers, mediators, and arbitrators from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, the International Trademark Association (INTA), and Taiwan to serve as lecturers, who presented the basic concepts of ADR and further extended the discussions to the field of IPR. Together, the participants explored the advantages and limitations of mediation, arbitration, and online dispute resolution (ODR) in the field of IPR as well as the relevant legal and practical experiences of different economies along with the lecturers. The comprehensive discussion and exchanges of views and diverse perspectives brought forth a fruitful and conducive event, providing participants the opportunity to thoroughly explore the potential for the use of ADR.The conclusions of the discussion session and discern insights attained through the workshop will be compiled into the workshop report, which will be published on both APEC and TIPO’s websites, aiming to assist market participants including women, youth, and MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) operators in learning about more economically feasible and effective options that can be adopted to resolve IPR-related disputes and enhance their abilities to protect IPRs.
17Registration for TIPO’s 2021 IPR Affairs Online Seminar on September 10th Now Open
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TIPO will host the 2021 IPR Affairs Seminar virtually on September 10th. The seminar will address four specific topics: (1) The latest amendments to the Patent Act; (2) New measures for Industry Collaborative Patent Interview Program, (3) Post-Grant Amendment to Examination practices－Case Illustrations for Reasons and Requirements, (4) Reminders for Conducting Patent and Trademark-Related Proceedings. In addition, a discussion session will follow. TIPO welcomes all to participate!
18TIPO’s Interpretations of the Patent Act Available!
To facilitate all to better understand the Patent Act, TIPO compiled the Interpretations of the Patent Act and published it on the website on July 2nd.This year, Interpretations of the Patent Act mainly focused on revising the interpretations for the key amendments from 2017 and 2020, including “Relaxing grace period”, “Loosening rules regarding division of patent applications after decisions for approvals are served”, “Restrictions on timing for resubmitting grounds for patent invalidation”, “Time period for post-grant amendment of utility model patent and its examination procedure ”, “Extending the protection period for design patents from 12 years to 15 years", and other regulations. Furthermore, court judgments of significant reference values are included to construe the interpretations of the Patent Act. All information is available to the public.
19Compilation of Selected Court Rulings on Trade Secret Cases Published on TIPO’s Website
To assist businesses in catching up with Taiwan’s relevant judicial practices and trends and to build a more complete trade secret protection mechanism, TIPO studied civil and criminal cases relating to trade secrets from courts at all levels from July 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2020. A total of 40 cases of great value for reference, including 17 civil cases and 23 criminal cases, were selected and excerpted. Compilation of Selected Court Rulings on Trade Secret Cases was compiled in accordance with the three requirements for trade secrets, civil remedies and damages claims, and criminal charges for trade secret infringements. The compilation is available on TIPO’s website!
20Misuse of Copyright Infringing Set-top Boxes Punishable by up to 2-Year Imprisonment
The Tokyo Olympics had drawn a significant number of Taiwanese viewers, and the discussion on set-top box audiovisual content infringement has thus arisen. The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasizes that, in accordance with the Copyright Act, manufacturing, importing, or selling set-top boxes that stream infringing audiovisual content is a violation of the law and is punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a fine of $500,000 NTD. TIPO once again appealed to the public to avoid using set-top boxes from unknown sources and support legal copyrighted content in order to ensure quality audiovisual content.In recent years, some set-top boxes or applications that are available on the market have provided users with convenient access to infringing websites that offer illegal audiovisual content, thereby reaping huge profits and gravely harming the rights of copyright owners or legally authorized OTT service providers, which further hinders the development of the content industry in Taiwan. TIPO points out that in order to put a halt to this illicit activity, subparagraph 8 of Paragraph 1 of Article 87 and Article 93 of the Copyright Act were passed and implemented on May 1st, 2019, stating that violators are punishable by a sentence of up to two years imprisonment or detention, or in lieu thereof or in addition thereto, a fine of not more than $500,000 NTD.TIPO states that the following circumstances are punishable by law:To publish applications that aggregate illegal audiovisual network links (commonly known as “binge-watching apps” 追劇神器) on Google Play Store, Apple Store, other platforms or websites, etc. for the public to download.To provide guidance, assistance, or preset paths for the public to download, although not involving the aforementioned illegal applications, are also deemed illegitimate actions. Set-top boxes, for example, albeit having no prohibited apps built-in, remain illicit given that they provide instructions or presets for users to install and use.To manufacture, import, or sell equipment or devices preloaded with such illegal applications, e.g., the set-top boxes with built-in apps on the market.After the passage of the abovementioned amendment, a number of cases of manufacturing illegal set-top boxes have been referred to judicial authorities for investigation or trial. In addition, in order to rectify the order in the market as soon as possible, TIPO coordinates with online platforms and sales channels to remove illegal set-top boxes and strongly urges the public to support and watch our 2020 Tokyo Olympics national team through legal streaming services.
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