计算机软件著作权民事案件当事人举证手册（中英文版）丨北京知识产权法院发布

 北京知识产权法院

计算机软件著作权民事案件当事人举证手册

计算机软件著作权民事案件包含计算机软件著作权权属纠纷、侵害计算机软件著作权纠纷和计算机软件合同纠纷三类案由。为引导当事人更好地诉讼及完成举证，结合计算机软件著作权民事案件特点，特编发本举证手册。

一、计算机软件著作权权属纠纷案件

1.当事人如何举证证明计算机软件著作权权属？

答：通常情况下软件著作权属于软件开发者。

如无相反证明，在软件上署名的自然人、法人或者其他组织为开发者。

原告主张其享有计算机软件著作权的，可以提供如下证据：

（1）计算机软件上的署名；

（2）计算机软件源代码、注释、网址等包含的署名；

（3）计算机软件的著作权登记证书；

（4）认证机构的证明；

（5）取得权利的合同；

（6）符合行业惯例的权利人声明。

被告对原告的计算机软件著作权提出异议的，可以提供如下证据：

（1）与计算机软件上署名不一致的其他署名；

（2）认证机构出具的记载其他权属的证明；

（3）作品登记机构出具的记载其他权属的著作权登记证书；

（4）权利人出具的记载其他权属的声明；

（5）依据软件的性质与类型、表现形式、行业惯例、公众的认知习惯等因素，提出反对原告享有软件权属的意见。

2.当事人可以如何举证证明委托开发计算机软件的著作权权属？

答：存在委托开发合同法律关系时，当事人主张其享有软件著作权的，可以提供如下证据：

（1）委托合同中关于软件著作权归属的约定；

（2）如委托合同未约定或者约定不明的，受托人可提交委托合同并依据法律规定主张享有著作权。

3.当事人可以如何举证证明国家机关下达任务所开发软件的权属？

答：当事人主张其享有国家机关下达任务开发的软件著作权的，可以提供如下证据：

（1）项目任务书或者合同规定；

（2）项目任务书或者合同中未作明确规定的，接受任务的法人或者非法人组织可提交项目合同书，并依据法律规定主张享有著作权。

4.当事人可以如何举证证明涉案软件属于职务作品？

答：当事人主张涉案软件系职务作品的，可以提供如下证据证明：

（1）利用物质技术条件的证据，包括资金、设备、图纸、资料、技术等物质技术条件进行创作的证据。

（2）本职工作活动的证据，包括营业执照、事业单位法人证书、相关行政审批手续、劳动合同、人事关系证明、纳税证明等。

二、计算机软件著作权侵权纠纷案件

5. 计算机软件著作权侵权纠纷案件包括哪些类型？

答：计算机软件侵权纠纷案件包括侵害计算机软件著作权纠纷和确认不侵害计算机软件著作权纠纷。 

6.当事人可以如何主张权利内容与侵权行为类型并进行举证？

答：

6.1．原告主张

原告主张被告侵害计算机软件著作权的，可以明确被告侵犯著作权的具体权利内容（权项）。如果原告主张权利的计算机软件存在多个版本，原告可以就其主张权利的软件名称、版本进行明确并举证证明，可以选择最相近似的计算机软件版本作为主张权利的基础。

原告可以针对被诉侵权行为的不同特征，区分单纯传播、最终用户、抄袭剽窃、破坏技术措施或出租等不同情况，进行举证。

6.2．原告举证

原告主张被告侵害其计算机软件著作权的，可以提交如下证据：

（1）被告接触了主张权利的软件且被诉侵权软件与主张权利的软件实质性近似的证据。

（2）双方软件的目标程序和权利软件的源程序。

（3）被诉侵权软件的源程序一般由被告提供。被告拒不提供源程序或者提供的源程序无法采信的，原告可以主张将权利软件的目标程序与被诉侵权软件的目标程序进行对比。

6.3．比对流程

（1）当事人可以将载有计算机源程序的光盘、U盘或移动硬盘等以加密方式提交，封存后提交法院。

（2）源程序和目标程序的比对，可以由鉴定机构进行或者由法院组织双方当事人进行。在法院组织当事人进行比对时，当事人也可以申请其技术人员共同参加。

（3）在进行源程序比对之前，需要确定原、被告计算机软件源程序与目标程序的对应性。

（4）当事人可以提出请求，要求对方当事人不得保留己方提交的计算机源程序。如需就源程序发表质证意见，可以要求对方作出保密承诺或者由法院作出秘密保持令，将一方当事人提交的计算机源程序复制给对方当事人。

7.当事人对最终用户侵权类型的案件可以如何主张与举证？

答：

7.1．原告主张

原告主张被告为最终用户，且实施了侵害软件复制权的行为，可以举证证明被告使用软件属于商业性使用，且无合法来源。具体可以举证证明以下事实：

（1）被告未经许可、超出许可范围，复制、安装原告软件并进行商业性使用；

（2）被告虽未复制原告计算机软件，但知道或应当知道他人未经许可或超出许可范围为其复制了原告的计算机软件，且被告对该计算机软件的使用符合其经营范围；

（3）被告希望通过软件的使用获取商业利益。如使用者系为个人学习和研究软件的目的使用，不属于商业使用。

（4）关于被告“知道”或者“应当知道”相关软件是侵权复制品，原告可以举证证明以下事实：一是被告购买相关软件时所支付的价款是否为合理价格；二是被告购买软件的购买渠道和销售商的情况；三是被告对相关软件的认知能力。

7.2.原告举证

原告主张最终用户侵害其计算机软件著作权的，可以提供以下初步证据：

（1）行政处罚决定；

（2）被告单位职工的证言，或者接触过被告计算机系统的证人证言；

（3）被告制作的载明其使用涉案软件的广告；

（4）被告发布的含有要求应聘人员熟练掌握权利软件的招聘信息；

（5）被告制作的载明其使用权利软件的产品说明书或产品；

（6）被告使用的计算机中运行权利软件的照片或视频等；

（7）被告使用计算机软件的类型、版本及数量等；

（8）其他初步证据。

原告在提供了上述初步证据的情况下，可以申请对被告使用权利软件的事实进行调查取证或证据保全。在调查取证时，如果需要检查的计算机数量过多，可以在征得双方当事人同意的情况下进行抽查，并由双方当事人书面确认抽查结果适用于全部检查范围。根据具体情况，也可以采取远程取证的方式。

8.当事人对破坏技术措施的案件可以如何主张与举证？

答：原告主张被告故意避开或者破坏著作权人为保护其软件著作权而采取的技术措施，构成侵权，可以围绕如下事实提供证据：

（1）原告采取了技术措施；

（2）一般用户通常无法避开或者破解该技术措施；

（3）被告实施了破坏或避开技术措施的行为。

9.当事人可以如何举证证明软件移植抗辩？

答：针对原告主张的侵权行为，被告如抗辩其被诉侵权软件系被告学习研究原告计算机软件的技术方案后，根据该技术方案采用其他编程软件重新编写计算机软件的，可以围绕以下事实进行举证：原告、被告分别采用了具有重大差别的编程软件，双方的计算机软件在表达形式方面具有实质性差异，等等。

三、计算机软件合同纠纷案件

10.当事人可以提交哪些有关合同内容的证据？

答：当事人可以提供完整的有关合同内容的证据：包含合同正文、附件和补充协议，以及当事人在合同履行过程中以书面或口头方式协商一致达成的变更、新增内容。

11.当事人可以如何举证证明合同效力？

答：当事人主张合同因违反法律、行政法规的强制性规定导致无效时，可以明确法律、行政法规的强制性规定的具体条款，并举证证明合同违反了前述具体条款的规定。 

12.当事人关于合同履行情况可以如何主张与举证？

答：

12.1.原告主张

原告可就合同履行的以下事实进行主张：

（1）被告履行方式不符合合同约定；

（2）被告逾期履行；

（3）被告交付的软件质量不合格；

（4）未收到相应款项，付款条件未成就；

（5）其他履行相关情形。

12.2．原告举证

（1）关于履行方式不符合约定的举证

原告主张对方当事人在实际履行过程中未按照合同约定的方式履行、变更了履行或交付方式的，可以举出相应证据，如：合同中约定交付应当以光盘或U盘方式、验收应当签订书面验收报告等，但实际履行中以微信、电子邮件等方式交付。

（2）因迟延履行软件开发合同主张解除合同的举证

委托方以开发方迟延履行软件开发或交付义务主张解除合同时，可以就合同约定、迟延原因、是否进行过催告、该迟延导致委托方合同目的无法实现等事实进行举证。

（3）软件开发合同中交付的软件质量是否合格的举证

委托方主张开发方交付的软件质量不合格的，但开发方主张软件质量符合合同约定的，可以围绕双方当事人约定的开发功能需求和合同中关于验收流程的约定，就以下事实进行举证：

委托方对于开发方已经交付的开发成果及时提出质量异议的，比照合同中关于功能需求和质量标准的约定，符合条件的可以申请当庭勘验或由技术调查官共同参加进行勘验；

如双方当事人已经签订了验收报告，委托方以验收人员不具有权限为由对验收报告不予认可的，可以围绕合同中关于验收方式的约定、验收人员的职务、在合同实际履行中的工作内容和作用、双方之间交易惯例等情况进行举证。

（4）委托人对未收到案外人相应款项、付款条件未成就的举证

如合同标的属于委托方从案外人处承接的项目的一部分，双方当事人在合同中约定把委托方收到案外人相应价款作为付款条件的，委托人可以围绕以下事实进行举证：

开发方在签订合同时对该合同条款的商业风险已经知晓并愿意承担后果；

案外人实际付款情况、未付款原因、是否对案外人进行过催收、付款条件未成就、委托方不存在过错等事实；

委托方必要时可以申请法院向案外人进行调查。

12.3. 被告抗辩

被告可就合同履行的以下事实进行抗辩：

（1）原告履行不符合合同约定；

（2）原告逾期履行；

（3）原告交付的软件质量不合格；

（4）未收到相应款项，付款条件未成就；

（5）其他履行相关情形。

12.4．被告举证

（1）对履行方式不符合约定的抗辩

原告主张对方当事人在实际履行过程中未按照合同约定的方式履行、变更了履行或交付方式的，被告可以抗辩原告接受该履行方式且未提出异议，并可以举证证明，如相关的微信、电子邮件记录等。

（2）对迟延履行软件开发合同主张解除合同的抗辩

委托方以开发方迟延履行软件开发或交付义务主张解除合同的，开发方可围绕以下不同情形进行举证：

因合同订立时功能需求不明确，双方就开发需求问题进一步沟通进行明确，沟通所用时间合理，开发方不属于迟延履行；

因委托方新增和变更需求导致开发方履行延期，双方另行约定延长开发时间，或虽未另行约定但属于合理期间内的延期，开发方不属于迟延履行；

因开发方原因导致履行延期，未导致委托方合同目的无法实现，委托方未进行催告直接主张解除合同的；

因开发方原因导致履行延期，委托方进行催告和宽限后，最终接受了开发方迟延交付的成果。

（3）对软件开发合同中交付的软件质量是否合格的抗辩

委托方主张开发方交付的软件质量不合格，但开发方主张软件质量符合合同约定的，可以围绕双方当事人约定的开发功能需求和合同中关于验收流程的约定，就以下事实进行举证：

开发方在履行中提出验收申请，委托方未依照合同约定或者未在合理时间内提出质量异议，开发方可以主张视为委托方对开发成果予以接受和认可。

13.当事人关于合同解除可以如何主张与举证？

答：（1）原告请求解除合同的，可以明确解除权依据是约定解除还是法定解除，并围绕解除的理由、事实及解除通知到达对方当事人的时间进行举证；

（2）违约方的合同解除权

违约方请求解除合同，须举证证明存在民法典第五百八十条规定的情形。

（3）合同有效期或履行期限届满后主张解除合同

合同有效期或者合同履行期限届满，当事人主张解除合同，须明确解除的理由，并就解除的事实进行举证。

四、计算机软件著作权民事案件程序事项

14.当事人对电子证据可以如何举证与质证？

答：当事人提交微信等社交软件的聊天记录截图、电子邮件截图等电子数据证据的，可以对聊天记录和电子邮件中对应的人员身份、具体聊天内容与待证明事实之间的对应关系等进行说明。

当事人对对方当事人提交的电子数据证据真实性提出异议的，可以围绕证据能否提供原始载体、是否完整连贯还是仅为对部分内容的截取、人员身份能否确认、双方履行习惯等事实进行主张和举证，必要时可以申请由法院进行当庭勘验。

15.原告申请证据保全需要符合哪些要求？

答：原告申请对侵权证据进行保全，可以举证证明以下事实：

（1）涉案计算机软件的著作权归属；

（2）原告提交了被告使用涉案计算机软件的初步证据：如被告网站或宣传资料中关于其使用涉案计算机软件的种类及规模的证据，例如：被告宣称其能够提供房屋装修的软件设计服务、提供网站设计服务、提供网络电子交易平台服务；被告发出招聘信息，要求应聘人员能够熟练掌握涉案计算机软件等；

（3）根据原告及其代理商的记录，被告没有购买过涉案计算机软件，或虽购买过涉案计算机软件，但型号及数量与其宣称的使用情况具有较大差异；

原告申请证据保全的，可以提出有针对性的、科学有效的证据保全步骤的建议。

Beijing Intellectual Property Court

Handbook for Evidence Presentation of Parties in Civil Cases Involving Computer Software Copyright

Civil cases involving computer software copyright include three types of causes of action, namely, disputes over ownership of computer software copyright, disputes over infringement on computer software copyright and disputes over computer software contracts. In order to guide the parties to better participate in litigation and fulfill the presentation of evidence, this Handbook for Evidence Presentation is formulated in light of the characteristics of civil cases involving computer software copyright.

I Cases Involving Disputes over Ownership of Computer Software Copyright

1. How can the party concerned prove the ownership of computer software copyright?

Answer: In general, the software copyright belongs to the software developer.

Without contrary evidence, the natural person, legal person or other organization whose name is stated on the software is the developer.

Where the plaintiff claims that it owns the computer software copyright, it can provide the following evidence:

- (1) the signature on the computer software;

- (2) the signature contained in the source code, notes and website address of the computer software;

- (3) the registration certificate of copyright of the computer software;

- (4) certificate from a certification agency;

- (5) contract on which the right is obtained; and

- (6) right owner declaration in line with the industry practice.

Where the defendant opposes the plaintiff's computer software copyright, it can provide the following evidence:

- (1) other signatures inconsistent with that on the computer software;

- (2) certificate indicating other ownership issued by a certification agency;

- (3) copyright registration certificate indicating other ownership issued by the work registration organization;

- (4) statement indicating other ownership issued by the right owner; and

- (5) objections to the plaintiff's entitlement to the software ownership are raised on the basis of the nature and type, form of expression, industry practice, public cognitive habits and other factors of the software.

2. How can the party concerned prove the ownership of the copyright of the computer software developed upon entrustment?

Answer: Where a party concerned claims its copyright of the software when there is a entrusted development contract, it can provide the following evidence:

- (1) the agreement in the entrustment contract on the ownership of the software copyright; and

- (2) where there is no provision or explicit provision in the entrustment contract, the trustee may  submit the entrustment contract and claim copyright pursuant to laws.

3.How can the party concerned prove the ownership of the software developed as a task assigned by government?

Answer: Where the party concerned claims its entitlement to the copyright of the software developed as a task assigned by government, it can provide the following evidence:

- (1) provisions of the project assignment document or contract; and

- (2) where there is no explicit provision in the project assignment document or contract, the legal person or non-legal person that accepts the task may submit the project contract and claim copyright pursuant to laws.

4.How can the party concerned prove the ownership of work for hire?

Answer: Where the party claims that the case-related Software is work for hire, it can provide the following Evidence:

(1) Evidence of software development by using material and technical conditions, including funds, equipment, drawings, materials and technology. 

(2) The evidence of work activities shall include business license, the legal person certificate of public institution, relevant administrative examination and approval formalities, labor contract, personnel relation certificate, tax payment certificate, etc.

II Cases Involving Computer Software Copyright Infringement Disputes

5. What types are included in the cases of disputes over computer software copyright infringement?

Answer: Computer software infringement disputes include disputes over infringement upon computer software copyright and disputes over confirmation of non-infringement upon computer software copyright.

6. How can a party claim the content of rights and types of infringement act and present evidence?

Answer:

6.1. Plaintiff's Claims

If a plaintiff claims that the defendant infringes the copyright of its computer software, it can clarify the specific content (right items) of the copyright infringed by the defendant. If there are more than one versions of the computer software over which rights are claimed by the plaintiff, the plaintiff can specify the name and version of the software over which rights are claimed and provide evidence to prove it, and may choose the most similar version of the computer software as the basis for the claims.

The plaintiff can distinguish different conditions according to the features of infringement acts, for instance pure dissemination, end-user, plagiarism, damaging technical measures, or leasing, and provide its evidence.

6.2. Evidence Presented by the Plaintiff

The plaintiff who claims that the defendant has infringed its computer software copyright may submit the following evidence:

- (1) Evidence proving that the defendant has touched the claimed software and the alleged infringing software is substantially similar to the claimed software.

- (2) Target programs of the parties' software and source programs of the claimed software.

- (3) The source programs of the alleged infringing software shall be generally provided by the defendant. If the defendant refuses to provide the source programs or the source programs provided by the defendant are not accepted, the plaintiff may assert to compare the target programs of the claimed software with those of the alleged infringing software.

6.3. Comparison Process

- (1) The party concerned can submit the CDs, USBs or portable hard disks that are installed with the computer source programs, seal them up and submit them to the court in encrypted form.

- (2) The comparison of the source programs and the target programs may be conducted by an authentication institution or by both parties concerned organized by the court. When the court organizes the parties concerned to make the comparison, the party concerned may also apply for its technical personnel to jointly participate in the comparison.

- (3) Before comparing the source programs, the correspondence between the source programs and the target programs of the plaintiff's and the defendant's computer software need to be determined.

- (4) The party concerned may request that the other party can not retain the source program submitted by such party. If one party need to issue cross-examination opinions on the source program, it may request the other party to make a confidentiality undertaking, or the court may make a confidentiality maintenance order, and then copy the source program submitted by one party to the other party.

7. How can the parties concerned claim and adduce evidence in cases of end-user infringement?

Answer:

7.1. The plaintiff's claims

If the plaintiff alleges that the defendant is the end-user and has infringed upon the software reproduction right, it can provide evidence to prove that the defendant uses the software for commercial purpose and has no legal source. Specifically, the following facts may be adduced:

- (1) The defendant has copied and installed the plaintiff's software for commercial use without permission or beyond the scope of permission;

- (2) Although the defendant does not reproduce the plaintiff's computer software, it knows or should have known that others have reproduced the plaintiff's computer software without permission or beyond the scope of permission, and that the defendant’s use of such computer software is within the scope of its normal business operation;

- (3) The defendant hopes to obtain commercial benefits through the use of the software. If the defendant uses the software for personal study and research, it shall not be deemed as commercial use.

- (4) Regarding the fact that the defendant "knows" or "should have known" that the claimed software is the infringing copy, the plaintiff can provide evidence to prove the following facts: firstly, whether the price paid by the defendant for purchasing the relevant software is reasonable; secondly, the information about the purchasing channel and the distributor of the software purchased by the defendant; thirdly, the cognitive ability of the defendant on the relevant software.

7.2. The plaintiff's evidence

The plaintiff who alleges that the end-user has infringed upon its computer software copyright may provide the following preliminary evidence:

-  (1) Administrative penalty decision;

- (2) Testimony of the employee of the defendant, or testimony of the witness who has contacted the computer system of the defendant;

- (3) Advertisement produced by the defendant specifying that the defendant has used the claimed software;

-  (4) Recruitment information issued by the defendant, which requires job applicants to be proficient in the claimed  software;

-  (5) Product manual or product produced by the defendant specifying that the defendant has used the claimed software;

- (6) Photos or videos of the claimed software running in the computer used by the defendant;

- (7) Type, version and quantity of the computer software used by the defendant.;

- (8) Other preliminary evidence.

Having provided the above preliminary evidence, the plaintiff may apply for investigation to collect evidence or evidence preservation regarding the fact that the defendant has used the claimed software. During investigation and evidence collection, if the number of computers to be inspected is too large to be inspected, a random inspection may be conducted with the consent of both parties concerned, and both parties concerned shall confirm in writing that the inspection result is applicable to the entire inspection scope. In some cases, remote evidence collection may be adopted.

8. How can a party concerned assert and produce evidence regarding the case of destroying technical measures?

Answer: Where the plaintiff alleges that the defendant has intentionally circumvented or sabotaged the technical measures adopted by the copyright holder for protecting its software copyright, which constitutes infringement, the plaintiff can provide evidence about the following facts:

- (1) The plaintiff has adopted technical measures;

- (2) Ordinary users are generally unable to avoid or decode the technical measures;

- (3) The defendant has destroyed or avoided the technical measures.

9. How can a party concerned present evidence to prove the defense of software transplantation?

Answer:

With respect to the alleged infringement act, if the defendant pleads that the allegedly infringing software has been rewritten by the defendant with other programming software based on the plaintiff's technical solution after the defendant studied the technical solution of the plaintiff's computer software, evidence can be provided about the following fact: the plaintiff and the defendant respectively used programming software with significant differences, and the computer software of the parties has substantive differences in terms of expression, etc.

III Cases Involving Computer Software Contract Disputes

10. What evidence can the parties submit relating to the content of the contract?

Answer:

The parties can provide complete evidence of the content of the contract, including the text of the contract, appendices and supplementary agreements, as well as the modified and additional content agreed by the parties in written or oral form during performance of the contract.

11. How can the parties adduce evidence to prove the effectiveness of the contract?

Answer: 

If a party claims that the contract is null and void due to violation of the mandatory provisions of laws and administrative regulations, it can specify the particular terms of the mandatory provisions of laws and administrative regulations, and adduce evidence to prove that the contract has violated the provisions of the aforesaid particular terms.

12. How can the parties claim and adduce evidence on performance of the contract?

Answer:

12.1. The plaintiff's claim

The plaintiff may claim the following facts regarding performance of the contract:

(1) The defendant's mode of performance does not conform to the contract;

(2) The defendant’s late performance;

(3) The software delivered by the defendant is unqualified;

(4) The corresponding payment has not been received, or the payment condition has not been met;

(5) Other situations related to performance.

12.2. The plaintiff's evidence to present

(1) Adduce the evidence regarding the inconformity of means of performance

Where the plaintiff alleges that the other party, in the course of actual performance, fails to perform in accordance with the ways agreed upon in the contract, or changes the ways of performance or delivery, it can adduce the corresponding evidence. For example, it is agreed in the contract that the delivery shall be by CD-ROM or USB flash disk, and a written acceptance report shall be signed for acceptance, while in the course of actual performance, the delivery is made by WeChat, E-mail and other means.

(2) Adduce the evidence of rescission of a software development contract due to the delay of performance of the contract

Where the entrusting party claims rescission of the contract for the developer's delay of performance of its obligations of software development or delivery, the entrusting party can provide evidence to prove the facts including the agreement in the contract, the reason for the delay, whether any reminder has been given, and the purpose of the contract frustrated due to such delay.

(3) Adduce the evidence of the quality of the software delivered in a software development contract

Where the entrusting party claims that the software delivered by the developer is unqualified, while the developer claims that the software quality conforms to the quality requirements as agreed upon in the contract, the entrusting party can provide evidence to the following facts about the functional requirements and the acceptance procedure agreed upon by both parties in the contract:

Where the entrusting party raises an objection on the quality of the development results delivered by the developer, the entrusting party may, if the requirements are met, apply for on-site examination or joint examination by technical surveyors, according to the agreements on the functional requirements and quality standards in the contract.

If the parties have signed the acceptance report, but the entrusting party does not accept the report on the ground that the acceptance personnel have no authorization, evidence can be provided according to the circumstances including the acceptance method agreed in the contract, the position of the acceptance personnel, their work contents and roles in the actual performance of the contract and the trading practice between the parties.

(4) Adduce evidence of client's failure to receive payments and failure of payment condition

If the subject matter under the contract is part of the project taken over by the entrusting party from the third party not involved in the case, and both parties agreed in the contract that the payment depends on the third party's payment of corresponding amount, the entrusting party can burden proof on the following facts:

When signing the contract, the developer has been aware of the commercial risks in such terms of the contract and is willing to bear the consequences;

The actual payment of the third party, the reason for non-payment, whether any collection has been made to the third party, payment condition was not met, and no fault is on the entrusting party;

The entrusting party, if necessary, may apply to the court to investigate the third party.

12.3. Defense by the Defendant

The defendant may defend the following facts regarding the performance of the contract:

(1) The performance of the plaintiff does not conform to the contract;

(2) The plaintiff fails to perform on time;

(3) The software delivered by the plaintiff is unqualified;

(4) The corresponding payment has not been received, or payment condition has not been met;

(5) Other performance-related circumstances.

12.4. Evidence by the Defendant

(1) Defense against the inconformity of means of performance

Where the plaintiff claims that the other party, during actual performance, fails to perform in the mode agreed upon in the contract, or changes the way of performance or delivery, the defendant may defend that the plaintiff accepted the way of performance without objection, and can provide evidence, such as relevant WeChat and email records, etc.

(2) Defense against rescission of contract based on claim of delay in   performance of software development contract

Where the entrusting party claims rescission of the contract for the developer's delay in performance of its obligations of software development or delivery, the developer may provide different evidence in the following different circumstances:

When the functional requirements were not clear at the time of conclusion of the contract, the Parties further communicate to clarify the development requirements, and the time used for the communication is reasonable, such circumstance shall not be deemed as delay in performance by the developer;

Where the developer's performance is delayed due to the entrusting party's new increase or change in demand, and the parties otherwise agree to extend the development time, or extend the development time within a reasonable period, such circumstance shall not be deemed as delay in performance by the developer;

Where the developer's delay in performance does not make the entrusting party’s purpose of the contract unable to be realized, and the entrusting party directly claims rescission of the contract without sending any reminder;

Where the developer's delay in performance occurs, and after sending any reminder and grace period, the entrusting party finally accepts the results delayed by the developer.

(3) Defense against quality conformance of software delivered in a software development contract

Where the entrusting party claims that the software delivered by the developer is unqualified, while the developer claims that the software quality conforms to the requirements as agreed upon by both Parties, it can proved the following facts according to the functional requirements and the acceptance procedure agreed upon by both parties in the contract:

Where the developer submitted the application for acceptance in the course of performance, but the entrusting party fails to raise the objection on quality or fails to raise the objection within reasonable time, the developer may claim that the entrusting party shall be deemed to have accepted and confirmed the developed results.

13. How can the parties claim and prove rescission of the contract?

A:(1) In claiming for rescission of the contract, the plaintiff can specify whether the right of rescission is based on agreed rescission or statutory rescission and produce evidence focusing on the reasons and facts for rescission and the time when the rescission notice reached the defendant;

(2) The Breaching Party's right to rescind the contract

Where the breaching party requests rescission of a contract, it needs to prove the existence of the circumstances provided for in Article 580 of the Civil Code.

(3) Claim for rescission of contract after expiration of period of validity or performance of contract

Where the Party claims rescission of a contract upon the expiration of the duration of validity or performance of the contract, it must clearly define the grounds for the rescission and present evidence about the facts of rescission.

Where the period of validity of the contract is different from the period of performance, a party may claim rescission of the contract after the expiration of the period of performance of the contract.

IV Procedural Matters of Civil Cases Involving Computer Software Copyright

14. How can the parties concerned adduce and cross-examine electronic evidence?

A: Where a party concerned submits electronic data evidence such as screenshots of chat records of social software such as WeChat etc., and email screenshots, it can explain the identity of the chatter or the email sender or recipient, as well as the corresponding relationship between the specific chat contents and the facts to be proved.

Where a party raises objects to the authenticity of the electronic evidence submitted by the other party, it can make claims and produce evidence on the following facts: whether the original carrier of the evidence can be provided, whether the evidence is complete and coherent or only the interception of part of the content, whether the identity of the personnel can be confirmed, and the habits of performance by both parties, and may apply for the court to conduct an in-court inquest if necessary.

15. What requirements need a plaintiff meet when applying for evidence preservation?

A: The plaintiff who applies for preservation of infringement evidence can provide evidence on the following facts:

- (1) the copyright ownership of the computer software involved in the case;

- (2) The plaintiff submits preliminary evidence proving the defendant uses the claimed computer software, such as the evidence concerning the type and scale of the claimed computer software used by the defendant in its website or publicity materials, for example: the defendant claims that it can provide software design services for house decoration, website design services and online electronic trading platform services; the defendant has sent out recruitment information, requiring the job applicants to be familiar with the claimed computer software ;

- (3) According to the records from the plaintiff and its agent, the defendant has not purchased the claimed computer software, or although it has purchased the claimed computer software, the model and quantity thereof are quite different from the defendant’s own statement on the use of computer software;

The plaintiff who applies for evidence preservation can put forward targeted, scientific and effective suggestions on the steps of evidence preservation.

来源：北京知识产权法院