Lawyers from Tilleke & Gibbins’ intellectual property team, under the guidance of Darani Vachanavuttivong, managing partner and managing director of the firm’s intellectual property department, have contributed an update to Thomson Reuters Practical Law’s Intellectual Property Rights in Thailand: Overview guide for 2024. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of intellectual property (IP) laws in Thailand, covering key areas such as patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, and registered designs. It also addresses the enforcement of these rights, as well as the procedures for registering patents, trademarks, and other IP protections. The Thailand chapter outlines important aspects of IP law, including: The conditions and procedures for obtaining patents and registered designs, including the different types of patent protection available. Legal requirements for registering trademarks, including what constitutes a distinctive and legally protectable mark. The scope of copyright protection and the rights granted to creators of original works, including economic and moral rights. Protection of trade secrets and confidential information under the Trade Secrets Act, which safeguards valuable business information. This guide is a valuable resource for legal practitioners and businesses seeking to understand the nuances of Thailand’s IP landscape. To explore the latest version of Intellectual Property Rights in Thailand: Overview, please visit the Practical Law website and enroll in the free Practical Law trial to gain full access.

As part of its membership in Lex Mundi, Tilleke & Gibbins has published an updated edition of its Guide to Doing Business in Thailand for 2023. This guide outlines the key factors for starting and operating a business in the Thai market. Issues covered include: Investment incentives Financial facilities Exchange controls Import and export regulations Structures for doing business Requirements for the Establishment of a Business Operation of the Business Cessation or Termination of the Business Labor legislation, relations, and supply Tax Immigration requirements This publication is part of Lex Mundi’s Country Guides series prepared by member firms in more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide. The guides serve as a useful resource for planning international business strategy and researching new markets. The full Guide to Doing Business in Thailand is available through the button below.

Thailand changed its system for customs recordation and various other customs procedures when its Customs Notification No. 106/2565 on the Export, Import, and Transit of Trademark- and Copyright-Infringing Goods came into effect on July 29, 2022. The revamped system updates the process by which entrepreneurs and brand owners can work with the Customs Department to protect their intellectual property rights (IPRs) from cross-border trade in counterfeit and pirated goods. To support these changes, the Customs Department launched a new platform called the Thai Customs IPR Recordation System (TCIRs) in September 2022. Trademark or copyright owners (or their representatives) can file new customs recordation applications, make changes to information, and renew customs recordation applications via this platform. The filed information will be kept confidential in Thai Customs’ database and will be used as evidence in cases of seizure of counterfeit or pirated goods. The new platform allows submission of information on genuine goods and inspection methods in the form of images and PDF files, which will enhance the effectiveness of the goods verification process of the Customs Department. Customs Recordation through TCIRs Trademark or copyright owners (or their representatives) may file an application specifying information that customs officers can use to verify the authenticity of the goods being exported, imported, or transited through Thailand. The application can be filed with the Enforcement Division of the Customs Department. The information in the application will be kept for three years from the date of receipt (or for the remaining period of trademark or copyright protection, if less than three years). Renewals can be filed no later than 30 days before the expiry date. Any changes in information must be made with the Enforcement Division. Key Takeaways As the legislation has changed to mandate that customs recordation applications go directly to the Customs