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Uimhir 10 de 1970
AN tACHT MARCANNA EARRAÍ CEANNAÍOCHTA, 1970
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “coimeádán” coimeádán ina bpacáiltear earraí aon tráth sula dtairgtear iad chun a ndíolta ar mionreic agus atá oiriúnach don díol sin, agus folaíonn sé mála, buidéal, bosca, canna, cartún, clúdach, eangach, líon, sac nó fillteán (cibé acu a chlúdaíonn nó nach gclúdaíonn an fillteán sin go hiomlán a lánas nó atá cuid dá lánas gan chlúdach) ina bpacáiltear earraí den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “earraí” aon ní is ábhar trádála, monaraíochta nó marsantais;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Tionscail agus Tráchtála;
folaíonn an briathar “díol” a thairiscint, a thaispeáint nó a choimeád le díol nó a imdháil ar luaíocht agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin.
Orduithe maidir le lánas coimeádán a mharcáil.
2.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, a fhoráil, maidir le hearraí de chineál a shonrófar san ordú—
(a) nach bpacálfar i gcoimeádán iad mura mbeidh ar an gcoimeádán nó (má bhíonn coimeádán nó coimeádáin laistigh agus coimeádán seachtrach ann) ar choimeádáin amháin ar a laghad fógra is infheicthe go réidh gan aon choimeádán a bhaint as a áit ná a oscailt, a bheidh i cibé foirm a shonrófar san ordú agus a déarfaidh go soiléir an chainníocht earraí a bheidh sa choimeádán faoi threoir cibé ceann nó níos mó acu seo a leanas, is é sin le rá, a meáchan, a dtomhas agus a líon, a shonrófar san ordú, agus, más oiriúnach leis an Aire, ainm agus seoladh pacálaí na n-earraí,
(b) nach bpacálfar aon chainníocht díobh i gcoimeádán seachas cainníocht a shonrófar san ordú faoi threoir cibé ceann amháin níos mó acu seo a leanas, is é sin, meáchan, tomhas agus líon na n-earraí, a shonrófar san ordú,
(c) nach ndéanfar iad a allmhairiú ar mhodh trádála ná a dhíol ar mionreic, pacáilte i gcoimeádán mura mbeidh ar an gcoimeádán nó (má bhíonn coimeádán nó coimeádáin laistigh agus coimeádán seachtrach ann) ar choimeádán amháin ar a laghad fógra is infheicthe go réidh gan aon choimeádán a bhaint as a áit ná a oscailt, a bheidh i cibé foirm a shonrófar san ordú agus a déarfaidh go soiléir an chainníocht earraí a bheidh sa choimeádán, faoi threoir ceann amháin nó níos mó acu seo a leanas, is é sin le rá, a meáchan, a dtomhas, agus a líon, a shonrófar san ordú agus, más oiriúnach leis an Aire, ainm agus seoladh pacálaí na n-earraí nó, má allmhairíodh na hearraí pacáilte sa choimeádán, allmhaireora na n-earraí,
(d) nach ndéanfar iad a allmhairiú ar mhodh trádála ná a dhíol ar mionreic, pacáilte, an chainníocht sin díobh, i gcoimeádán seachas cainníocht a shonrófar san ordú faoi threoir ceann amháin nó níos mó acu seo a leanas, is é sin, meáchan, tomhas agus líon na n-earraí, a shonrófar san ordú.
(2) I gcás ina gceanglóidh ordú faoin alt seo an chainníocht earrai a bheidh pacáilte i gcoimeádán a bheith luaite i bhfógra ar an gcoimeádán nó nach bpacálfar aon chainníocht earraí i gcoimeádán seachas cainníocht a shonrófar san ordú, féadfaidh an t-ordú a fhoráil nach mbeidh ar aon gcainníocht earraí a bheidh le cur in iúl mar a dúradh nó ar an gcainníocht earraí a shonrófar mar a dúradh, de réir mar a bheidh, aon chainníocht leachta nó substainte eile a chuirfear leis na hearraí le linn iad a phacáil sa choimeádán agus féadfaidh sé an tslí a shonrú ina ndéanfar amach an gcomhlíonann an chainníocht de na hearraí atá sa choimeádán na forálacha atá san ordú de bhua an fho-ailt seo.
(3) Féadfaidh ordú faoin alt seo an tslí a shonrú ina ndéanfar amach an chainníocht earraí a bheidh pacáilte i gcoimeádán.
(4) I gcás ina gceanglóidh ordú faoin alt seo fógra a bheith ar choimeádán, féadfaidh an t-ordú an tslí a shonrú ina dtaispeáinfear an fógra ar an gcoimeádán.
(5) Féadfaidh cibé forálacha a bheith in ordú faoin alt seo is dóigh leis an Aire is inmhianaithe chun a áirithiú go mbeidh fógra a thaispeáinfear ar choiméadán de bhun an ordaithe infheicthe agus inléite go soiléir agus nach dtaispeáinfear é ar shlí go dtabharfaidh sé nó gur dóigh do dtabharfaidh sé eolas bréagach nó eolas míthreorach maidir lena bhfuil de chainníocht sa choimeádán.
(6) Aon ordú a dhéanfaidh socrú do na hábhair a shonraítear i mír (a) nó (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo ní bheidh feidhm aige, a mhéid a dhéanann sé socru den sórt sin, maidir le hearraí a bheartaítear a onnmhairiú as an Stát.
(7) Ní bheidh feidhm ag ordú faoin alt seo maidir le haon earraí a ndéanfaidh an tAire, agus é deimhnitheach go raibh sé beartaithe, an tráth a bhíothas ag pacáil na n-earraí a gcomeádáin, na hearraí a onnmhairiú agus gur rud réasúnach a cheadú na hearraí a dhíol sa Stát gan forálacha an Achta seo a chomlíonadh, údarás i scríbhinn a thabhairt do cheadú an díola sin.
(8) Féadfaidh ordú faoin alt seo a fhoráil go ndéanfar, i gcás an chainníocht earraí d'aon chineál a bheidh pacáilte i gcoimeádán a bheith níos mó nó níos lú de mhéid nó ceatadán sonraithe ná—
(a) an chainníocht earraí den sórt sin a bheidh luaite i bhfógra den chineál a shonraítear i mír (a) nó (c) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo ar an gcoimeádán, nó
(b) cainníocht a bheidh sonraithe le hordú chun críocha mhír (b) nó (d) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le hearraí den chineál sin,
a mheas, maidir leis an gcainníocht a bheidh pacáilte amhlaidh, gurb ionann í agus an chainníocht a bheidh luaite nó sonraithe amhlaidh, de réir mar a bheidh, agus féadfar méideanna nó céatadáin éagsúla a shonrú maidir le hearraí de chineálacha éagsúla, cainníochtaí éagsúla earraí agus cineálacha éagsúla coimeádán.
(9) Féadfaidh ordú faoin alt seo a fhoráil nach mbeidh feidhm ag an ordú in imthosca nó faoi réir coinníollacha a shonrófar san ordú.
(10) Dhá mhí ar laghad roimh an dáta a dhéanfar ordú faoin alt seo foilseofar san Iris Oifigiúil agus i nuachtán laethúil amháin ar a laghad fógra go bhfuil an tAire chun an t-ordú a dhéanamh agus ráiteas gearr ar éifeacht an ordaithe.
(11) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(12) Ní dhéanfar aon ordú faoin alt seo gan an tAire dul i gcomhairle roimh ré le cibé daoine a bhfeicfear dó leas substainteach a bheith acu in ábhar ginearálta an ordaithe, mura dóigh leis an Aire, i gcás ordú faoi fho-alt (11) den alt seo, gur gá an t-ordú a dhéanamh gan dul i gcomhairle amhlaidh.
Baránta intuigthe maidir le pacáil earraí.
3.—(1) I gconradh i gcomhair díolacháin earraí de chineál lena mbaineann ordú faoi alt 2 den Acht seo, tá baránta intuigthe nach sárú ar fhorálacha an Achta seo nó ordaithe faoin Acht seo pacáil na n-earraí agus nach de shórt é go dtiocfaidh de, maidir le díol nó allmhairiú na n-earraí, na forálacha sin a shárú.
(2) Aon chonradh i gcomhair díolacháin a bhfuil, díreach nó neamhdhíreach, d'éifeacht aige sochar baránta den chineál a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo a bhaint de dhuine beidh sé, a mhéid a bheidh an éifeacht réamhráite aige, ar neamhní.
Cumhachtaí oifigeach údaraithe.
4.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “oifigeach údaraithe” duine atá údaraithe i scríbhinn ag an Aire nó ag comhairle contae nó ag bardas contae-bhuirge nó buirge eile i ndáil lena limistéar feidhmiúcháin chun na cumhachtaí a thugtar leis an alt seo a fheidhmiú chun críocha na nAchtanna Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1887 go 1931, agus an Achta seo.
(2) Cuirfidh údarás oifigigh údaraithe in iúl na hábhar a bhféadfaidh sé gníomhú ina leith faoin alt seo.
(3) Féadfaidh oifigeach údaraithe, d'fhonn aon eolas a fháil a bheidh ag teastáil chun a chumasú don Aire nó do chomhairle contae nó do bhardas contae-bhuirge nó buirge eile, de réir mar a bheidh, chun a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a fheidhmiú faoi na hAchtanna Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1887 go 1931, nó faoin Acht seo, ar údarás an oifigigh a thabhairt ar aird, má iarrtar sin—
(a) dul isteach gach tráth réasúnach in áitreabh ina ndéantar aon ghníomhaíocht i ndáil le pacáil earraí i gcoimeádáin nó i ndáil le monarú, próisiú, soláthar, imdháil nó allmhairiú earraí agus an t-áitreabh agus aon choimeádáin nó earraí a bheidh pacáilte i gcoimeádáin san áitreabh a iniúchadh agus, tar éis íoc as nó astu nó ar a thairiscint íoc as nó astu, coimeádán amháin nó níos mó (agus earraí pacáilte nó gan bheith pacáilte ann nó iontu) a thógáil leis agus, más oiriúnach leis, an céanna a iniúchadh, a thástáil agus a thomhas san áitreabh,
(b) a cheangal ar an duine a dhéanann gníomhaíocht den sórt sin agus ar aon duine a bheidh ar fostú i ndáil leis an ngníomhaíocht sin aon leabhair, doiciméid nó taifid a bhainfidh leis an ngníomhaíocht sin agus a bheidh faoi chumhacht nó rialú an duine sin a thabhairt ar aird don oifigeach agus cibé eolas a thabhairt dó a iarrfaidh sé le réasún i dtaobh aon sonraí sna leabhair, sna doiciméid agus sna taifid sin,
(c) na leabhair, na doiciméid agus na taifid sin a iniúchadh, cóipeanna a dhéanamh díobh nó sleachta a thógáil astu,
(d) a cheangal ar dhuine den sórt sin aon eolas a thabhairt don oifigeach a iarrfaidh sé i dtaobh na ndaoine a dhéanann gníomhaíocht den sórt sin (lena n-áirítear go sonrach, i gcás comhlachta neamhchorpraithe daoine, eolas i dtaobh a chomhaltais agus comhaltas a choiste bhainistí nó a údaráis rialaithe eile) nó atá ar fostú in ndáil leis sin,
(e) a cheangal ar dhuine den sórt sin aon eolas eile a thabhairt don oifigeach a iarrfaidh ar t-oifigeach le réasún maidir leis an ngníomhaíocht sin.
(4) Aon oifigeach údaraithe a thógfaidh coimeádán de bhun an ailt seo déanfaidh sé—
(a) a chur in iúl láithreach don duine arb ina áitreabh a thógfar an coimeádán nó dá ghníomhaire go bhfuil an coimeádán á thógáil de bun an ailt seo, agus
(b) má cheaglaíonn an duine sin nó an gníomhaire sin air é tráth an fógra a thabhairt, an dara coimeádán a shamhail nó coimeádán amháin a roghnú as na coimeádáin a thógfaidh sé agus an dara coimeádán nó an coimeádán a roghnófar amhlaidh, de réir mar a bheidh, a mharcáil agus a shéalú agus a fhágáil ag an duine sin nó ag an ngníomhaire sin.
(5) I gcás airteagal a bheith á thástáil nó á iniúchadh faoin alt seo agus go raibh airteagail eile a shamhail ar fáil an tráth agus san áit a bhfuarthas an t-airteagal, déanfar cibé líon de na hairteagail a bheidh réasúnach sna himthosca a thástáil nó a iniúchadh, de réir mar a bheidh.
(6) Aon duine a bhacfaidh nó a choiscfidh oifigeach údaraithe agus é ag feidhmiú cumhachta nó nach ndéanfaidh de réir cheanglais faoin alt seo measfar gur sháraigh sé an t-alt seo.
Cionta.
5.—(1) Aon duine a sháróidh, nó a measfar gur sháraigh sé, foráil den Acht seo nó d'ordú faoin Acht seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile nó, i gcás duine a sháróidh foráil d'ordú mar a dúradh, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná dhá mhíle punt a chur air nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile.
(2) I gcás ina gcúiseofar duine i gcion faoin Acht seo maidir leis an gcainníocht earraí a bhí pacáilte i gcoimeádán, is cosaint i gcoinne an chúisimh aige a shuíomh go raibh an chainníocht earraí a bhí sa choimeádán tráth na hearraí a phacáil nó a allmhairiú i gcomhréir le forálacha an Achta agus gurb é cúis a bhí le haon athrú ar an gcainníocht sin ábhair dá ndearnadh alúntas réasúnach an tráth a pacáladh na hearraí.
(3) I gcás ina ndéanfar, maidir le hearraí, duine seachas an duine a phacáil nó d'allmhairigh na hearraí a chúiseamh i gcion faoin Acht seo, is cosaint i gcoinne an chúisimh aige a shuíomh gur dhéileáil sé sna hearraí de mheoin mhacánta agus gur ghlac sé cúram réasúnach chun a áirithiú go raibh an chainníocht earraí a pacáladh i gcoimeádáin ar comhréir le forálacha an Achta seo (agus más éard é an cion sárú ar fhoráil de chineál a shonraítear in alt 2 (1) (a) nó in alt 2 (1) (c) den Acht seo) go raibh fógraí a chomhlíon forálacha an Achta seo ar na coimeádáin.
(4) I gcás ina gcúiseofar duine i gcion faoin Acht seo maidir le hearraí a pacáladh i gcoimeádán, is cosaint i gcoinne an chúisimh aige a shuíomh—
(a) gur ghlac sé cúram réasúnach i gcoinne cion den chineál a mbeidh sé cúisithe ina leith a dhéanamh maidir leis na hearraí,
(b) nach raibh aon chúis aige a bheith in amhras, an tráth a rinneadh an cion líomhnaithe, gurbh shárú ar fhorálacha an Achta seo nó ordaithe faoin Acht seo an phacáil, an t-allmhairiú nó an díol, de réir mar a bheidh, agus
(c) gur chúis nach raibh aon neart aige uirthi a bhí leis na hearraí a phacáil, a allmhairú nó a dhíol, de réir mar a bheidh, contrártha d'fhorálacha an Achta seo nó ordaithe faoin Acht seo.
Cionta a ionchúiseamh.
1851, c. 93.
6.—(1) Féadfar imeachtaí i ndáil le cion faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh agus a ionchúiseamh ag an Aire nó ag comhairle an chontae nó ag bardas na contae-bhuirge nó na buirge eile a líomhnaítear gurb ann nó gurb inti a rinneadh an cion.
(2) D'ainneoin alt 10 (4) den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, feádfar imeachtaí achoimre mar gheall ar chion faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh laistigh de dhá mhí dhéag ó dháta an chiona.
(3) Déanfar aon chaiteachais a thabhóidh comhairle contae nó bardas contae-bhuirge nó buirge eile faoin alt seo a íoc mar a íoctar caiteachais a thabhaítear faoi alt 19 den Acht Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1931, ag údarás áitiúil a shonraítear san alt sin.
Feidhmeanna áirithe faoin Acht Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1931, a aistriú chun an Aire.
7.—Aistrítear leis seo chun an Aire na feidhmeanna, na cumhachtaí agus na dualgais a bhronntar nó a fhorchuirtear ar an Rialtas faoi ailt 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 agus 15 den Acht Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1931, agus, dá réir sin, déanfar tagairtí sna hailt sin don Ard-Chomhairle (seachas an chéad tagairt den sórt sin agus an tríú tagairt den sórt sin san alt sin 7) a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don Aire agus déanfar tagairtí san alt sin 12 d'ordú sriantachta a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí d'ordú faoin alt sin 8.
Cionta maidir le comhlachtaí corpraithe agus comhlachtaí neamhchorpraithe.
8.—I gcás cion faoin Acht seo a dhéanamh ag comhlacht corpraithe nó ag comhlacht neamhchorpraithe daoine agus a gcruthófar go ndearnadh é le toiliú nó le cúlcheadú, nó gurb inchurtha é i leith aon fhaillí ar thaobh, aon duine agus é ina stiúrthóir, ina bhainisteoir ina rúnaí nó ina chomhalta de choiste bainistí nó d'údarás rialaithe eile de chuid aon chomhlachta den sórt sin nó é ina oifigeach eile den sórt sin d'aon chomhlacht den sórt sin, beidh an duine sin freisin ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear imeachtaí a thionscnamh ina choinne agus é a phionósú dá réir sin.
Pionóis áirithe a mhéadú.
1887, c. 28.
9.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 2 (2) den Merchandise Marts Act, 1887, tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (ii):
“(ii) on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds; and”.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 8 (3) den Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, trí “one hundred pounds” a chur in ionad “twenty pounds”.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 23 den Acht Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1931, trí “céad punt a chur air” a chur in ionad “cuig púint do chur air, más é an chéad chionta aige é, agus fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt, más é an dara cionta aige é no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin”.
10.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 6 den Acht Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1931, trí—
(a) “do réir rialacha dhéanfaidh an tAire Airgid”, agus “, ag féachaint dóibh chun an fhaid a thógfa sé agus chun an mhéid a chosnóidh sé, dar leis an gCoimisiún, an t-iarratas do bhreithniú” a scriosadh as fo-alt (3), agus
(b) trí “an Aire Airgeadais,” a chur in ionad “an Aire sin”.
(2) Measfar gur tháinig fo-alt (1) den alt seo i ngníomh an 1ú lá d'Aibreán, 1968.
Ceadúnais allmhairithe.
11.—(1) Más é tuairim an Aire, i gcás earraí a bhfuil a n-allmh airiú toirmiscthe leis an Acht seo nó faoi, nó leis na hAchtanna Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1887 go 1931, nó fúthu, gur chúis chruatain mhíchuí an toirmeasc a chur i bhfeidhm, féadfaidh an tAire, dá rogha féin ar iarratas a bheith déanta go cuí chuige, ceadúnas (dá ngairtear ceadúnas san alt seo a dheonú á údarú don duine a bheidh ainmnithe sa cheadúnas na hearraí sin a allmhairiú.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis a chur ag gabháil le ceadúnas agus sonróidh sé sa cheadúnas iad.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire ceadúnas a chúlghairm.
(4) Gach duine a dhéanfaidh, d'fhonn ceadúnas a fháil dó féin nó d'aon duine eile, aon ráiteas nó uiríoll is eol dó a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach in aon phonc ábhartha nó a mhainneoidh coinníoll a chomhlíonadh a bheidh ag gabháil le ceadúnas beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo.
(5) Aon iarratas ar cheadúnas is i cibé foirm a bheidh sé agus beidh cibé sonraí ann a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham.
(6) D'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo nó in ordú faoi alt 2 den Acht seo, féadfaidh duine a bheidh ainmnithe i gceadúnas a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire earraí a bheidh sonraithe sa cheadúnas a allmhairiú faoi réir aon choinníollacha a bheidh ag gabháil leis an gceadúnas a chomhlíonadh.
Allmhairiú sealadach.
12.—I gcás inar deimhin leis na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim maidir le hearraí a bhfuil a n-allmhairiú toirmiscthe faoin Acht seo gurb earraí iad atáthar a allmhairiú lena n-onnmhairiú tar éis dul tríd an Stát nó ar mhodh trasloingsithe nó gurb earraí iad a ndearbhófar le linn iad a allmhairiú gur le haghaidh athonnmhairithe iad, féadfaidh na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim a cheadú na hearraí a allmhairiú faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a chomhlíonadh is oiriúnach leo a fhorchur.
Orduithe a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
13.—Gach ordú a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú a leagan faoina bhráid rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe, beidh an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinnéadh roimhe sin faoin ordú.
Caiteachais an Aire.
14.—Íocfar , a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo.
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
15.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1970, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1887 go 1970, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Marcanna Earraí Ceannaíochta, 1887 go 1931, agus den Acht seo le chéile.
Number 10 of 1970
MERCHANDISE MARKS ACT, 1970
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Transfer of certain functions under Merchandise Marks Act, 1931, to Minister. | |
Offences in relation to bodies corporate and unincorporated bodies. | |
Acts Referred to | |
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851 | 1851, c. 93 |
Merchandise Marks Act, 1887 | 1887, c. 28 |
1931, No. 48 | |
Number 10 of 1970
MERCHANDISE MARKS ACT, 1970
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
“container” means a container in which goods are packed at any time before being offered for sale by retail and which is suitable for such sale, and includes a bag, bottle, box, can, carton, envelope, net, sack or wrapper (whether or not such wrapper fully encloses its contents or portion of its contents are exposed) in which goods are so packed;
“goods” means anything which is the subject of trade, manufacture or merchandise;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
“sold” includes offered, exposed or kept for sale or distributed for reward and cognate words shall be construed accordingly.
Orders in relation to marking and contents of containers.
2.—(1) The Minister may by order provide that goods of a kind specified in the order—
(a) shall not be packed in a container unless the container or (if there is an inner container or containers and an outer container) at least one container bears a notice which is easily visible without removing or opening any container, is in such form as may be specified in the order and states clearly the quantity of the goods in the container by reference to such one or more of the following, that is to say, their weight, measure and number, as may be specified in the order, and, if the Minister so thinks fit, the name and address of the packer of the goods,
(b) shall not be packed in a container in any quantity other than a quantity specified in the order by reference to such one or more of the following, that is to say, the weight, measure and number of the goods, as may be specified in the order,
(c) shall not be imported by way of trade or sold by retail, packed in a container unless the container or (if there is an inner container or containers and an outer container) at least one container bears a notice which is easily visible without removing or opening any container, is in such form as may be specified in the order and states clearly the quantity of the goods in the container by reference to such one or more of the following, that is to say, their weight, measure and number, as may be specified in the order, and, if the Minister so thinks fit, the name and address of the packer of the goods or, if the goods have been imported packed in the container, of the importer of the goods,
(d) shall not be imported by way of trade or sold by retail, packed in any quantity in a container other than a quantity specified in the order by reference to such one or more of the following, that is to say, the weight, measure and number of the goods, as may be specified in the order.
(2) Where an order under this section requires the quantity of goods packed in a container to be indicated in a notice on the container or that goods shall not be packed in a container in any quantity other than a quantity specified in the order, the order may provide that the quantity of the goods to be indicated as aforesaid or the quantity of goods specified as aforesaid, as the case may be, shall not include any quantity of liquid or other substance added to the goods at the time at which they are packed in the container and may specify the manner in which it shall be ascertained whether the quantity of the goods in the container is in compliance with the provisions contained in the order by virtue of this subsection.
(3) An order under this section may specify the manner in which the quantity of goods packed in a container shall be ascertained.
(4) Where an order under this section requires a container to bear a notice, the order may specify the manner in which the notice is to be shown on the container.
(5) An order under this section may include such provisions as the Minister thinks desirable to ensure that a notice displayed on a container in pursuance of the order is clearly visible and legible and that it is not so displayed as to convey or be likely to convey false or misleading information in relation to the quantity of the contents of the container.
(6) An order providing for the matters specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not, in so far as it so provides, apply in relation to goods intended to be exported from the State.
(7) An order under this section shall not apply in relation to any goods in respect of which the Minister, being satisfied that the goods were, at the time they were being packed in containers, intended to be exported and that it is reasonable to allow the sale of the goods in the State without compliance with the provisions of this Act, grants an authorisation in writing permitting such sale.
(8) An order under this section may provide that where the quantity of goods of any kind packed in a container is greater or less by not more than a specified amount or percentage than—
(a) the quantity of goods of that kind indicated in a notice of the kind specified in paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (1) of this section on the container, or
(b) a quantity specified by order for the purposes of paragraph (b) or (d) of subsection (1) of this section in relation to goods of that kind,
the quantity so packed shall be deemed, for the purpose of those paragraphs, to be the same as the quantity so indicated or specified, as the case may be, and different amounts or percentages may be specified in relation to goods of different kinds, different quantities of goods and different kinds of containers.
(9) An order under this section may provide that the order shall not apply in circumstances or subject to conditions specified in the order.
(10) At least two months before the date of the making of an order under this section there shall be published in Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one daily newspaper notice of the Minister's intention to make the order and a brief statement of the effect of the order.
(11) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order under this section (including an order under this subsection).
(12) An order shall not be made under this section without prior consultation by the Minister with such persons as appear to him to be substantially interested in the general subject-matter of the order unless, in the case of an order under subsection (11) of this section, it is, in the opinion of the Minister, necessary to make the order without such consultation.
Implied warranty in relation to packing of goods.
3.—(1) In a contract of sale of goods of a kind in relation to which an order under section 2 of this Act applies, there is an implied warranty that the packing of the goods is not in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of an order under this Act and is not such as to occasion, in relation to the sale or importation of the goods, a contravention of those provisions.
(2) A contract of sale that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of depriving a person of the benefit of a warranty of the kind specified in subsection (1) of this section shall, insofar as it has the effect aforesaid, be void.
Powers of authorised officers.
4.—(1) In this section “authorised officer” means a person authorised in writing by the Minister or by the council of a county or corporation of a county or other borough in relation to its functional area to exercise for the purposes of the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1931, and this Act, the powers conferred by this section.
(2) The authorisation of an authorised officer shall indicate the matters in respect of which he may act under this section.
(3) An authorised officer may, for the purpose of obtaining any information which may be required in order to enable the Minister or the council of a county or the corporation of a county or other borough, as the case may be, to exercise his or its functions under the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1931, or this Act, on production of the officer's authorisation, if so required—
(a) at all reasonable times enter premises at which any activity in connection with the packing of goods in containers or the manufacturing, processing, supplying, distributing or importing of goods is carried on and inspect the premises and any containers or goods packed in containers on the premises and, on paying or making tender of payment therefor, take one or more of the containers (either with or without goods packed in it or them) and, if he so thinks fit, carry out inspections, tests and measurements thereof on the premises,
(b) require the person who carries on such activity and any person employed in connection therewith to produce to the officer any books, documents or records relating to such activity which are in that person's power or control and to give him such information as he may reasonably require in regard to any entries in such books, documents and records,
(c) inspect and copy or take extracts from such books, documents and records,
(d) require such a person to give to the officer any information he may require in regard to the persons carrying on such activity (including, in particular, in the case of an unincorporated body of persons, information in regard to the membership thereof and of its committee of management or other controlling authority) or employed in connection therewith,
(e) require such a person to give to the officer any other information which the officer may reasonably require in regard to such activity.
(4) An authorised officer who takes a container pursuant to this section shall—
(a) notify forthwith the person on whose premises the container is taken or his agent that the container is taken in pursuance of this section, and
(b) if so required by such person or agent at the time of the giving of the notification, take a second like container or select one container from the containers taken by him and mark and seal and leave with such person or agent the second container or the container so selected, as the case may be.
(5) Where an article is being tested or inspected under this section and other like articles were available at the time and place at which the article was obtained, such number of the articles as is reasonable in the circumstances shall be tested or inspected, as the case may be.
(6) A person who obstructs or impedes an authorised officer in the exercise of a power or does not comply with a requirement under this section shall be deemed to contravene this section.
Offences.
5.—(1) A person who contravenes or is deemed to contravene a provision of this Act or of an order under this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both the fine and the imprisonment or, in the case of a person who contravenes a provision of an order aforesaid, on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding two thousand pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
(2) Where a person is charged with an offence under this Act in relation to the quantity of goods packed in a container, it shall be a defence to the charge for him to show that the quantity of goods in the container at the time of the packing or importation of the goods was in compliance with the provisions of the Act and that any variation in such quantity was caused by matters for which reasonable allowance had been made at the time of the packing of the goods.
(3) Where, in relation to goods, a person other than the person who packed or imported the goods is charged with an offence under this Act, it shall be a defence to the charge for him to show that he dealt in the goods in good faith and took reasonable precautions to ensure that the quantities of the goods packed in containers complied with the provisions of this Act and (if the offence consists of the contravention of a provision of a kind specified in section 2 (1) (a) or section 2 (1) (c) of this Act) that the containers bore notices which complied with the provisions of this Act.
(4) Where a person is charged with an offence under this Act in relation to goods packed in a container, it shall be a defence to the charge for him to show—
(a) that he took reasonable precautions against committing, in relation to the goods, an offence of the kind with which he is charged,
(b) that at the time of the commission of the alleged offence, he had no reason to suspect that the packing, importation or sale, as the case may be, of the goods was in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of an order under this Act, and
(c) that the packing, importation or sale, as the case may be, of the goods in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of an order under this Act, was due to a cause beyond his control.
Prosecution of offences.
6.—(1) Proceedings in relation to an offence under this Act may be brought and prosecuted by the Minister or by the council of the county or the corporation of the county or other borough in which the offence is alleged to have been committed.
(2) Notwithstanding section 10 (4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, summary proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted within twelve months from the date of the offence.
(3) Any expenses incurred by a council of a county or the corporation of a county or other borough under this section shall be defrayed in the same manner as expenses incurred under section 19 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1931, by a local authority specified in that section.
Transfer of certain functions under Merchandise Marks Act, 1931, to Minister.
7.—The functions, powers and duties conferred or imposed on the Government under sections 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 15 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1931, are hereby transferred to the Minister and, accordingly, references in those sections to the Executive Council (other than the first such reference and the third such reference in the said section 7) shall be construed as references to the Minister and references in the said section 12 to a restriction order shall be construed as references to an order under the said section 8.
Offences in relation to bodies corporate and unincorporated bodies.
8.—Where an offence under this Act which is committed by a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any person, being a director, manager, secretary, member of the committee of management or other controlling authority of any such body or being any other similar officer of any such body, that person shall also be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Increase of certain penalties.
9.—(1) Section 2 (3) of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, is hereby amended by the substitution for paragraph (ii) of the following paragraph:
“(ii) on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds; and”.
(2) Section 8 (3) of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, is hereby amended by the substitution of “one hundred pounds” for “twenty pounds”.
(3) Section 23 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1931, is hereby amended by the substitution of “to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds” for “, in the case of a first offence to a fine not exceeding five pounds, and in the case of a second or any subsequent offence to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds”.
Amendment of section 6 of Merchandise Marks Act, 1931.
10.—(1) Section 6 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1931, is hereby amended by—
(a) the deletion in subsection (3) of “in accordance with regulations to be made by the Minister for Finance” and “, having regard to the length of time and the expense which in the opinion of the Commission will be involved in the consideration of the application”, and
(b) the substitution of “Minister for Finance,” for “said Minister”.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall be deemed to have come into operation on the 1st day of April, 1968.
Import licences.
11.—(1) Where, in the case of any goods the importation of which is prohibited by or under this Act, or the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1931, the Minister is of opinion that enforcement of the prohibition would cause undue hardship, the Minister may, at his discretion on application being duly made to him, grant a licence (in this section referred to as a licence) authorising the importation by the person named in the licence of those goods.
(2) The Minister may attach to a licence such conditions as he shall think proper and shall specify in the licence.
(3) The Minister may revoke a licence.
(4) Every person who, for the purpose of obtaining for himself or any other person a licence, makes any statement or representation which is to his knowledge false or misleading in any material respect or who fails to comply with a condition attached to a licence shall be guilty of an offence under this section.
(5) An application for a licence shall be in such form and contain such particulars as the Minister may from time to time direct.
(6) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or in an order under section 2 of this Act, a person named in a licence for the time being in force may, subject to compliance with any conditions attached to the licence, import the goods specified in the licence.
Temporary importation.
12.—Where the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that any goods the importation of which is prohibited under this Act are goods imported for export after transit through the State or by way of transhipment or are goods declared on importation to be for re-exportation, the Revenue Commissioners may, subject to compliance with such conditions as they may think fit to impose, permit the goods to be imported.
Laying of orders before Houses of the Oireachtas.
13.—Every order made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the order has been laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Expenses of Minister.
14.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title and collective citation.
15.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Merchandise Marks Act, 1970.
(2) The Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1931, and this Act may be cited together as the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1970.