

In France, general provisions of criminal procedure apply to the investigation and prosecution of intellectual property crimes. These crimes fall under the general rules of jurisdiction.
Verified in November 2024
In France, general provisions of criminal procedure apply to the investigation and prosecution of intellectual property crimes. These crimes fall under the general rules of jurisdiction.
Verified in November 2024
Article L.621-1 of the Intellectual Property Code foresees that the penalties for the violation of trade secrets are provided for in Article L. 1227-1 of the Labour Code
Provisions regarding theft (article 311-1 of the Criminal Code) apply when there is a fraudulent appropriation of a trade secret fixed in a document belonging to another person.
The provision regarding breach of trust under article 314-1 of the Criminal Code is available when there is a misappropriation of trade secrets fixed on document(s) handed over to a person.
Article 321-1 of the Criminal Code can be used to charge a person who received information considered a trade secret.
Pursuant to Article L. 511-13. 3° du Code de la Consommation, the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) is authorised to investigate and establish infringements of trademark counterfeiting.
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Contacter la DGCCRF | economie.gouv.fr
Submit a complaint to the police or gendarmerie online
The prosecution of IP crimes falls under the competence of the general prosecution system. At the first instance courts, the prosecution is led by public prosecutors (Procureur de la République).
At the appellate courts and Court of Cassation, the prosecution is led by the General Prosecutor’s Office (Parquet Général).
Contact details based on the location: access here
Submit a complaint to the public prosecutor online
sec.pg.courdecassation@justice.fr
+33 1 44 32 95 95
6 boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris
There are no specialised courts on IP crime. This type of crime falls under the general court system.
The general courts are organised in a three-tier system:
List of French courts and their contact details: access here
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Décisions | Cour de cassation Accueil | Cour de cassation
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