Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need to have greater awareness of intellectual property rights in order to succeed in Thailand, according to Darani Vachanavuttivong, co-managing partner and managing director, intellectual property, at Tilleke & Gibbins. In a recent interview with Asia IP magazine, Darani explained that Thai SMEs will have to protect their innovations and avoid IP infringement while taking advantage of the growing regional economy.

“Thailand will soon reap the benefits of both regional economic integration through the ASEAN Economic Community and accession to the Madrid Protocol system, which will likely be effective in Thailand by 2015,” Darani said. “Based on these developments, now is the right time for the Thai government to promote IP and start programs to help SMEs grow locally and globally.”

In the interview, Darani discussed the examples provided by other successful economies, such as Korea and Singapore, that have encouraged innovation through subsidies and tax relief. She also reviewed the various government organizations that are available to assist SMEs and commented on the government’s plans to increase accessibility.