The Vietnamese government has demonstrated a strong commitment to building a digital government, digital economy, and digital society through its recently issued national strategy on digital infrastructure. Under Decision No. 1132/QD-TTg dated October 19, 2024, on “Digital Infrastructure Strategy to 2025 with Orientation to 2030,” the government will create supportive conditions for both domestic and international businesses to invest in digital infrastructure with cybersecurity as a priority. Recognized as vital to the economy, this digital infrastructure will consist of four main components: (i) telecommunications and internet infrastructure, (ii) data infrastructure, (iii) physical-digital infrastructure, and (iv) digital utility infrastructure, including digital technology as a service. Key goals for 2025 include universal fiber optic access for households, 100% 5G coverage across all provinces and cities, deployment of at least two new international undersea fiber optic cables, establishment of AI data centers, development of green-standard data centers, and platforms for IoT, AI, big data, blockchain, and cybersecurity. By 2030, goals include fiber access with speeds of at least 1 Gbps, 5G coverage for 99% of the population, readiness for 6G trials, six additional international undersea fiber optic cables, development of a hyperscale data center, and positioning Vietnam as a digital hub. To achieve these goals, the government has outlined some core tasks, creating significant opportunities for both foreign and domestic investors: Developing telecommunications and internet infrastructure for widespread fiber optic and 5G access, while preparing for emerging technologies like 6G, Open RAN, satellite, and IpV6. Telecommunication enterprises will jointly invest in and share the use of international fiber optic cable routes to ensure efficient capacity utilization and optimize investment capital. Attracting foreign and domestic investment to establish hyperscale data centers and cloud computing services that meet global standards. Creating physical-digital infrastructure by integrating technology across key sectors such as transportation, energy, healthcare,

On October 31, 2024, Thailand’s Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) opened a public consultation period on its draft notifications—one directed at data controllers and another at data processors—regarding exemptions from the requirement to create and maintain records of processing activities (ROPAs) under the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (PDPA). The draft notification for data controllers aims to amend and revoke certain aspects of the first ROPA exemption notification issued in June 2022 and outlines the criteria for data controllers to be exempted from the obligation to prepare and maintain such records. Although it is officially titled “Notification of the Personal Data Protection Committee on Exemption from Record-Keeping Requirements for Small Business Data Controllers,” this draft notification applies to all types of exempted data controllers (see list below), and not only small businesses. The draft notification for data processors is new and does not replace any prior notification. The criteria under both draft notifications exempt certain data controllers and data processors from the obligation to maintain ROPAs, but exempted data controllers are not free from the obligation to retain information on the rejection of data subjects’ requests to exercise certain rights under the PDPA. While these criteria remain consistent with the June 2022 ROPA exemption notification, there are a few key takeaways from the notifications, as detailed below. Types of Exempted Parties The draft notification on data controllers adds condominium and housing estate juristic persons, as well as individuals, to the list of parties eligible for an exemption, while removing internet cafes from the list. The new draft notification for data processors mirrors the corresponding list in the draft notification for data controllers. The complete list of parties eligible for ROPA exemptions under the draft notifications is as follows: SMEs according to the law on

2024年9月2日，印度尼西亚颁布了新的特许经营法规，即2024年第35号政府条例（“GR 35/2024”）。 此前，印尼的特许经营受2007年第42号政府条例《特许经营条例》（“GR 42/2007”）的规范，以及2019年第71号贸易部条例《特许经营实施条例》（“MOT Regulation 71/2019”）的实施细则的约束。 该新法规废除了《2007年第42号政府条例》。然而，《2019年第71号贸易部长条例》仍然有效，直至有新的贸易法规条例颁布。 新的特许经营法规包含多项修订，并提供了更详细的要求，以补充《2019年第71号贸易部长条例》。   《2024年第35号政府条例》（GR 35/2024）与《2007年第42号政府条例》（GR 42/2007）的比较: 经营年限要求。新法规将申请特许经营注册的最低经营年限从五年缩短至三年。 知识产权状态。根据新法规，任何相关知识产权必须在提交特许经营注册申请之前完成注册。这一要求不同于之前的规定，之前可以在知识产权申请仍在处理中时获得特许经营注册证书（STPW），如果知识产权申请未能注册成功，则STPW会被取消。 外国特许人的注册要求。根据新法规，外国特许人除须提供之前要求的特许经营说明书和相关印尼主管部门的声明函外，还必须提交经过认证或加注认证的原籍国营业执照文件。Top of Form 行政制裁。新法规调整了行政制裁的三阶段升级程序：(1) 两次警告信，(2) 14天的业务活动暂停，(3) STPW（特许经营注册证书）吊销。这与之前法规中的三阶段（即三次警告信、罚款和STPW吊销）有所不同。新法规还扩大了受行政制裁的不合规行为清单。除了之前法规中详细列明的监管义务外，未使用正确的特许经营标识和未提交活动报告等行为现在也将受到这些行政制裁的惩罚。 特许经营组织者类别。新法规将特许经营组织者（即特许经营业务安排的主要当事方）的类别从之前的两类（特许人和被特许人）扩展至八类，包括外国和本地的次级特许人和次级被特许人。 特许经营注册证书（STPW）的有效性。新法规明确了STPW失效的条件，例如协议终止、业务停止、知识产权到期等。此外，不再需要每五年更新一次STPW。在之前的法规中，STPW的有效期为五年，可续期。 尽管有这些变化和更新，印尼特许经营法规的核心结构仍然相似。此外，GR 35/2024中的许多新规定已在前述的《2019年第71号贸易部长条例》中被采纳。   法律影响 《2024年第35号政府条例》（GR 35/2024）简化了一些流程（如不再需要每五年更新STPW），同时收紧了一些要求（如涉及知识产权注册的规定）。该法规还提供了对特许经营组织者的更详细分类，并明确了制裁程序，旨在构建更有条理和全面的监管框架。 这些变更旨在强化监管框架，确保特许经营行业的合规性和稳健性。该新法规反映了政府对推动特许经营行业发展的承诺，而特许经营行业也持续为印尼经济作出重要贡献。   注意：本文为英文文章的中文翻译。原文请参见以下链接。 https://www.tilleke.com/insights/indonesia-issues-new-franchise-regulation/

On October 31, 2024, Myanmar’s Intellectual Property Department (IPD) announced that it would officially start accepting applications for patent and utility model registration under the Patent Law, effective immediately. Contained in IPD Announcement No. 14/2024, this significant development opens new avenues for securing patent and utility model rights in the country. Myanmar’s Patent Law (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No. 7/2019) was enacted on March 11, 2019, providing a framework for the protection of inventions related to products and processes. This is the first legislation specifically addressing the protection of patents in Myanmar’s history. The Patent Law took effect on May 31, 2024, under State Administration Council Notification No. 106/2024. To implement this new framework, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) promulgated the Patent Rules under Notification No. 43/2024 on June 4, 2024, detailing the requirements and procedures for patent- and utility model-related matters. Subsequently, the MOC specified the official forms to be used for filing of patent- and utility model-related matters under Notification No. 54/2024 on July 19, 2024. On October 22, 2024, the Intellectual Property Agency announced the official fees, including annuity fees, for patents and utility models under Notification No. 2/2024. Applicants (both individuals and legal entities) can now file to register new patents and utility models with the IPD electronically, in person (directly or through a local representative), or by post. To be patented, an invention must: Not have been disclosed to the public anywhere by any means before the filing date or priority date (if claimed); Involve an inventive step; and Be capable of use in any industry. As for utility model registration, the requirements are the same, except an inventive step is not necessary. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for innovators and investors looking to protect their inventions in Myanmar. All stakeholders are encouraged to