In typical Franglais, I strongly suspect this is meant to inform you that the AP WILL ALREADY HAVE disconnected automatically, and you will already be experiencing a 'pitch up moment while close to the ceiling'?
Yes sorry, that was what I meant - I did an 'informal' quote because I don't have FCOM on my desktop which I was on at the time! The AP will disconnect with a severe overspeed and this is what they are pointing to I believe.
Only flew the bus for two years and had one over speed in a similar situation to the above. Having flown Boeing's for quite a few years before the bus I treated the bus as if it was an aircraft that wasn't performing as programmed into the FMGC. I immediately disconnected the A/P, reduced the thrust manually, and gently pulled the nose up - and 'hey ho' we were out of the over speed condition almost immediately
Yup, the A320 is extremely passive in it's response to most things when in soft alt mode. It's my experience that you should go selected (preferably at this level) or AP off to get it to start thinking again - it's quite happy to sit there at target speed + X knots at FL390 a couple of millimetres from Mmo whilst doing very little about the thrust.
The Overspeed recovery is very specific in that it states that as soon as speed exceeds Mmo you use full speed brake. I just think its badly written and at least needs some italicised information to ensure the SB is used carefully and slowly.
The thing is I believe that the FCOM overspeed recovery, though not stipulated, is with regards to a descent or low level. In that case I'd follow it strictly - speed brakes full would be my first response. However If you're in the cruise above FL330 and an overspeed occurs - immediately banging out FULL speed brake may well stick you into coffin corner if you're at a high enough weight. I'm not certain on this as I've never seen it and until someone shows me it at FL390, 60 tonnes I'm reluctant to try it. Even if it didn't put you into coffin corner, I don't trust the pitch mode of the A320 and THR mode of the ATHR enough to believe it wont leave you low on energy out of the overspeed - fine if the AP is off but if I don't have to hand fly at a high FL then I won't.
It's an interesting topic and your question is one I've benefitted from - for a definitive answer that you can produce in a court room I'd recommend asking your company technical pilot via e mail and getting a response from her or him in writing. It's the only way you'll cover your back should mother nature deal you a rough hand and there's some day time TV watching, injury lawyers for you type in the back who wishes to sue you for them banging their head on the locker!