The landscape of intellectual property (IP) has transformed alongside advancements in technology, transitioning from traditional methods to modern online approaches. A growing number of IP infringers are moving their illegal activities to the online sphere, particularly through the sale of counterfeit goods on their websites, social media, or e-commerce platforms. In response to these shifting pressures, Thailand implemented the Computer-Related Crime Act B.E. 2550 (CCA) on July 18, 2007, and amended it in 2017, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of combating online infringement by empowering government officials to request that the court block computer data (called “website-blocking”) that infringes upon other parties’ intellectual property rights, as per section 20(3) of the CCA. From 2018 to May 2024, Thailand’s Criminal Court and Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court have issued 53 orders to block more than 1,779 infringing URLs. One significant recent development is the Criminal Court’s establishment of the Technology Crime Division, which has been operating since April 1, 2024. Its purpose is to address criminal offenses that occur through electronic means, which should then be handled in an effective and prompt manner by judges who have expertise on technological crimes. In addition, several current measures to combat technology crime, including section 20(3) of the CCA, require court orders for the prevention of electronic criminal offenses or online infringement. The Technology Crime Division has the jurisdiction to consider and grant these orders, which will help expedite the approval process and ensure review by specialized judges. Scope of the Technology Crime Division The announcement of the establishment of the Technology Crime Division within the Criminal Court was published in the Government Gazette on March 18, 2024, with operations commencing on April 1, 2024. The Technology Crime Division is empowered to: Consider and adjudicate technology crime cases, except cases falling

Attorneys from Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Phnom Penh have prepared Intellectual Property in Cambodia, a comprehensive resource for understanding, protecting, and commercializing intellectual property (IP) in the country. This guide provides detailed information on various aspects of IP rights, including: Trademarks: Procedures and requirements for registration, maintenance, and enforcement. Patents: Information on obtaining patent protection, including the application process and legal requirements. Industrial designs: Steps for registering and protecting design innovations. Utility models: Guidelines for securing protection for new technical solutions. Copyrights: Details on copyright protection, registration, and enforcement. Geographical indications: Information on protecting products with specific geographical origins. The guide is designed to offer practical insights into the registration processes, legal frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms relevant to IP in Cambodia. It aims to serve as a valuable tool for businesses, legal practitioners, and individuals involved in the creation and protection of intellectual property. For more details, access the full Intellectual Property in Cambodia guide by clicking the button below.

Myanmar’s Patent Law 2019—the country’s first legislation specifically addressing patent protection—took effect on May 31, 2024. The announcement that the law had taken effect came when the State Administration Council (SAC) issued Notification No. 106/2024 on June 1, 2024. This announcement is a key development moving toward full implementation of statutory patent protection in Myanmar. The next step will be the announcement of the Patent Rules, which will establish the requirements, official forms, and procedures related to the application and registration of patents and utility models. Another necessary announcement will be the official forms and fees for proceeding with patent-related matters at the Intellectual Property Department (IPD). Upon these forthcoming announcements, parties will be able to apply for patent registration in Myanmar. The Patent Law, which was enacted in 2019, allows for the registration of inventions that: Have not been disclosed to the public anywhere by any means before the filing date or priority date (if claimed); Involve an inventive step; and Are capable of use in any industry. Priority rights can be claimed within a year of the filing of an application with any member country of the World Trade Organization. In seeking protection for inventions internationally, priority rights cannot yet be claimed under the Paris Convention or the Patent Cooperation Treaty, as Myanmar’s ratification of these agreements is still pending. Nevertheless, the Patent Law includes provisions related to these two agreements; these provisions will take effect if the ratification process is completed. Rights owners interested in seeking protection of their inventions in Myanmar should begin evaluating their portfolios so that they can apply to register their inventions once the remaining necessary announcements have been issued. Recordation of inventions—including renewals of patents that had been recognized under Myanmar’s previously established practice—will no longer be accepted. Rights holders can

On March 1, 2024, the Lao official gazette published the newly amended Law on Intellectual Property No. 50/NA, dated November 20, 2023 (the “2023 Law on IP”). The timing of this update is consistent with Laos’ history of providing regular revisions to the country’s IP legislation since the enactment of the first Law on Intellectual Property by the National Assembly in 2007 (the “2007 Law on IP”). These revisions include amendments in 2011, 2017, and now 2023. Prior to 2007, intellectual property (IP) protection was granted through decrees issued by the prime minister’s office for selected types of IP: trademarks, patents, petty patents, and industrial designs. The 2007 Law on IP marked a significant shift by introducing comprehensive legislation to protect industrial property rights, new plant varieties, copyright, and related rights. It laid the foundations for IP legislation in Laos, with the primary objectives of promoting and protecting intellectual creativity and attracting foreign investment. Since 2007, the enactment of new IP laws has not always entailed significant amendments to the existing IP framework; however, it frequently serves as an opportunity to introduce long-considered mechanisms. For example, the amended Law on Intellectual Property No. 38/NA, dated November 15, 2017 (“2017 Law on IP”) introduced, among other provisions, the possibility of opposition by a third party after the formal examination of a trademark application by the examiner. The 2023 Law on IP brought additional changes and updates to the IP regulatory landscape in Laos. Some of the most notable of these are highlighted below. Trademarks While Laos already introduced a new mechanism for online trademark registration in November 2023—about a month before enacting the 2023 Law on IP—the new law did introduce some noteworthy changes. Well-Known Marks The 2023 Law on IP appears to ease the burden of proof for establishing