Theory and practice of intellectual property
№ 4 / 2021

ISSN (Print) 2308-0361
ISSN (Online) 2519-2744

PDF (Ukrainian)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33731/42021.243147

Published      2021-10-25

The concept of lost profit as a component of the concept of losses in the field of intellectual property: a category of law and economics

Ihor Shulpin
Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6522-9517

Abstract
The article is devoted to the study and analysis of the legal and economic category of «lucrum cessans» (forgone benefit) in the property sphere and in the field of intellectual property (IP), as well as the author’s attempt to define the concept of «forgone benefit» in the sphere of IP. It should be noted that the concept of «forgone benefit» is the main component of the general concept of «damage» in the property sphere, where its definition is contained in subparagraph 2) of paragraph 2 of Article 22 of the Civil Code of Ukraine. The article compares the concept of «forgone benefit» both in the property sphere and in the sphere of IP in accordance with the economic and legal planes.

First, «forgone benefit» are considered as unearned income in the property sphere. Further, we are talking about the criterion for the implementation of measures and preparations as a fact to generate income in the production and sale of goods (services). The next important issue, which is covered in this article, is the problem of distinguishing between measures and preparations for obtaining income (profit) and reasonable measures to reduce losses. The next criterion includes the provision that the «forgone benefit» of the victim cannot be less than the income of the offender, which is one of the manifestations of the principle of Roman law.

All of the above in relation to the economic category applies both to the property sphere and to the sphere of IP. However, in relation to the legal category «forgone benefit» in the property sphere and in the sphere of IP has a complete difference, since it refers to different subjects (in the property sphere, this is the owner of the thing, property, and in the sphere of IP — the subject of intellectual property rights (IPR) or a person to whom such rights have been transferred), objects (objects in the property sphere are various types of things, property, any material objects, and in the field of IP these are objects of IPR) and rights (in the property sphere there are rights to things, rights to property , and in the field of IP — these are property rights to objects of IPR).

Further, the author of the article gives terms from the field of IP, the availability of rights in the field of IP, dwells on cases of violation of non-contractual (tort) legal relations and violation of contractual legal relations (mainly violation of a license agreement).

Based on the results of the material presented, the author of the article formulates a definition of the concept of «forgone benefit» in the field of IP and proposes to include such a legal norm in the fourth book «Intellectual Property Law», Chapter 35 «General Provisions on Intellectual Property Rights» of the Civil Code of Ukraine.

The material of the article can be useful to employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, forensic experts, lawyers and patent attorneys and other persons working in the field of law.

Keywords: forgone benefit, property rights of IP, object of IPR, subject of IPR, the right to own, use and dispose of IPR, contractual obligations, non-contractual legal relationships

References

Евтеев В. С. Возмещение убытков как вид ответственности в коммерческой деятельности. Москва : ИКД «Зерцало-М», 2005. 184 с.

Малеин Н. С. Имущественная ответственность в хозяйственных отношениях. Москва : Юрид. лит., 1969.

Цивільній кодекс України. Відомості Верховної Ради України (ВВР). 2003. № 40−44. Ст. 356).

Право власності в Україні : навч. посіб. / О. В. Дзера, Н. С. Кузнєцова, О. А. Підопригора та ін.; за заг. ред. О. В. Дзери, Н. С. Кузнєцової. Київ : Юрінком Інтер, 2000. 816 с.

Ківалова Т. С. Зобов’язання відшкодування шкоди у цивільному законодавстві України (теоретичні аспекти) : монографія / Т. С. Ківалова ; М-во освіти і науки України; Одеська нац. юрид. акад. Одеса : Юридична література, 2008. 360 с.

Харитонов Е. О., Саниахметова Н. А. Гражданское право. Частное право. Цивилистика. Физические лица. Юридические лица. Вещное право. Обязательства. Виды договоров: авторское право. Представительство : учеб. пособие. Киев : А.С.К., 2002. 832 с.