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Country fiches: Latvia

IP crimes are regulated in the Latvian Criminal Code, chapters on criminal offences against fundamental rights and freedoms of a person and criminal offences of an economic nature. The criminal code provisions shall be applicable together with special laws on various intellectual property rights.

In Latvia, general provisions of criminal procedure apply to the investigation and prosecution of the intellectual property crimes. These crime fall under the general rules of jurisdiction.

Verified in October 2023

National legislation

National legislation on intellectual property crimes

Copyright violations

Section 148 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code: 
Krimināllikums (likumi.lv)

Copyright Law of 6 April 2000: 
Autortiesību likums (likumi.lv)

Counterfeiting of trademark

Section 206 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code: 
Krimināllikums (likumi.lv)

Trademark Law of 6 March 2020, OP number 2020/37.1: 
Preču zīmju likums (likumi.lv)

Patent violations

Not considered as a crime
Patent Law of 15 February 2007: 
Patentu likums (likumi.lv)

Industrial design violations

Section 147 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code: 
Krimināllikums (likumi.lv)

Design Law of 28 October 2004: 
Dizainparaugu likums (likumi.lv)

Violations of geographical indications of origin

Section 206 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code: 
Krimināllikums (likumi.lv)

Trademark Law of 6 March 2020, OP number 2020/37.1: 
Preču zīmju likums (likumi.lv)

Violations of plant variety rights

Section 147 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code: 
Krimināllikums (likumi.lv)

Law on the Protection of Plant Varieties of 2 May 2002: 
Augu šķirņu aizsardzības likums (likumi.lv)

Trade Secrets violations

Section 200 of the Criminal Code

Criminal Code: 
Krimināllikums (likumi.lv)

Trade Secret Protection Law of 28 February 2019, OP number 2019/52.1: 
Komercnoslēpuma aizsardzības likums (likumi.lv)

National contacts

National contacts

Law Enforcement Agencies

The IP crimes’ investigation fall under the competence of State Police. At the headquarters of the State Police, a specialized unit - the 3th Unit of the Economic Crime Combating Division of the State Police – deals with the coordination of the IP crimes committed online.

The 3th Unit of the Economic Crime Combating
Division of the State Police

+371 67208663

Ciekurkalna 1, Riga

Sākumlapa en | Valsts policija (vp.gov.lv)

Prosecution

The prosecution of the IP from fall under the competencies of the first level prosecution offices.

There is no specialised unit responsible for the prosecution of IP crimes.

Prosecution’s Office

371 67 044 400

Kalpaka bulvāris 6, Rīga

Sākumlapa en | LRP (prokuratura.lv)

Judiciary

There are no specialised courts on IP crimes. This type of crime fall under general court system.

The general courts are organised in a three-tier system:

  • District Courts;
  • Regional Courts;
  • The Supreme Court.

Latvian Courts

List of Latvian courts and their contact details: Latvijas Tiesu Portāls - Tiesu meklētājs (tiesas.lv)

Latvijas Tiesu Portāls (tiesas.lv)

Judicial libraries

Judicial libraries

LATVIJAS REPUBLIKAS AUGSTĀKĀ TIESA - SUPREME COURT SENATE

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

Case law supreme court

Selected judgments from:

  • Supreme Court (3rd instance).

Other available resources:

  • studies and summaries.

LATVIJAS TIESU PORTĀLA E-PAKALPOJUMU VIETNE - E-SERVICES WEBSITE OF THE LATVIAN COURT PORTAL

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

eTiesas

Selected judgments from:

  • City Courts (1st instance)
  • District Courts (1st instance)
  • Regional Courts (2nd instance)
  • Supreme Court (3rd instance).

Other available resources:

  • overview of events,
  • out-of-court guide (for the resolution of legal issues without court involvement).

SATVERSMES TIESA - CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

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

Constitutional court of the Republic of Latvia » Database of case law

All judgments (since 1993) from:

  • Constitutional Court.
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