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Country fiches: Portugal

With an exception of the trade secrets, intellectual property crimes are not regulated in the Portuguese Criminal Code. IP infringements are regulated in specialised codes, specifically, the Code of Copyright and Related Rights and the Industrial Property Code. In Portugal, general provisions of criminal procedure apply to the investigation and prosecution of the intellectual property crimes. These crimes fall under the general rules of jurisdiction.

Verified in October 2022

National legislation

National legislation on intellectual property crimes

Copyright violations

Articles 195 to 199 of the Code of Copyright and Related Rights Code of Copyright and Related Rights
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Counterfeiting of trademark

Articles 318, 321 and 325 of the Industrial Property Code
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Patent violations

Articles 318, 321 and 325 of the Industrial Property Code
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Industrial design violations

Articles 319, 321 and 325 of the Industrial Property Code
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Violations of geographical indications of origin

Article 324 of the Industrial Property Code
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Violations of plant variety rights

Not considered as a criminal offence
Decree-Law No. 213/90 establishing the legal regime governing breeders' rights in new plant varieties: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Trade Secrets violations

Article 195 of the Penal Code
Article 331 of the Industrial Property Code
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Other IP rights

Trade names

Articles 322 and 326 of the Industrial Property Code
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

Logos

Articles 323 and 326 of the Industrial Property Code
Code of Copyright and Related Rights: 
DL n.º 63/85, de 14 de Março

National contacts

National contacts

Law Enforcement Agencies

The IP crimes’ investigation fall under the competence of Portuguese Criminal Police (Polícia Judiciária).

IP crimes committed in cyberspace fall under the competence of National Unit to Combat Cybercrime and Technological Crime (UNC3T) of Polícia Judiciária.

Portuguese Criminal Police (Polícia Judiciária)

+351 211 967 000

Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007 Lisboa

Portuguese Criminal Police – Polícia Judiciária

Prosecution

The prosecution of the IP from fall under the competencies of the Public Prosecution Offices. There is no specialised unit responsible for the prosecution of IP crimes.

Public Prosecutor’s Offices

List of Public Prosecution Offices and their contacts: County District Prosecutors offices | Public Prosecution Service of Portugal

Judiciary

The IP related civil cases are heard by a specialised court – the Court of Intellectual Property.

Criminal jurisdiction fall under general court system. The general courts are organised in a three-tier system:

  • District Courts;
  • Courts of Appeals;
  • The Superior Court of Justice.

Portuguese Courts

List of Portuguese courts and their contact details: Superior Courts | Public Prosecution Service of Portugal

Judicial libraries

Judicial libraries

BASES JURÍDICO-DOCUMENTAIS – IGFEJ - LEGAL AND DOCUMENTARY DATABASES

This is a public and free database. Registration is not required.

IGFEJ - Bases Jurídico-Documentais 

Selected judgments from:

  • Courts of Appeal (2nd instance)
  • Central Administrative Courts (2nd instance)
  • Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (2nd instance)
  • Supreme Administrative Court (3rd instance)
  • Supreme Court of Justice (3rd instance)
  • Constitutional Court
  • Justice of the Peace Courts
  • Conflicts Tribunal.

Other available resources:

  • opinions of the Prosecutor General’s Office

DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA ELETRÓNICO (DRE) - ELECTRONIC OFFICIAL GAZETTE

This is a public and free database. Registration is not required.

Diário da República - Jurisprudência

Selected judgments from:

  • Central Administrative Courts (2nd instance)
  • Courts of Appeal (2nd instance)
  • Supreme Court of Justice (3rd instance)
  • Supreme Administrative Court (3rd instance)
  • Constitutional Court
  • Court of Audit
  • Conflicts Tribunal
  • Public Prosecutor’s Office.
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