The judicial court is the court of first instance for common law. On January 1, 2020, it replaced the district court and the regional court. This court has jurisdiction over all civil disputes. It has jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes relating to intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright. It may be called upon to find infringement, order protective measures, assess damages, and rule on the validity or exploitation of rights.
The Paris Court of First Instance has exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases relating to patents, utility certificates, supplementary protection certificates, and semiconductor product topographies.
The decisions of the judicial court may be appealed to the competent court of appeal (the Paris Court of Appeal in matters related to patents, inventions, utility certificates, and supplementary protection certificates).
The judicial court is therefore the central forum for the judicial protection of intellectual property rights and plays a key role in combating counterfeiting and protecting intangible assets.