Region: Laos

A new IP law will come into force in Laos this weekend, introducing trademark opposition procedures to the country for the first time. The new law has many other changes, including expanding the range of images eligible for trademark protection.

06 June 2018

The MOST has, at long last, issued a Decision on the Implementation of Geographical Indications under the Law on Intellectual Property. The decision allows both local and foreign GIs to be registered in Laos, and outlines a number of matters concerning GIs that had not previously been included in the Law on Intellectual Property. This has sent a positive signal to investors, but it may be some time before local producers become aware of the potential boon that GIs offer.

08 February 2017

Previously, the relevant trademark provisions in Laos provided for the filing of only a single application in a single class. These provisions were subsequently amended to allow for the registration of multi-class applications, an option that has now come into practice.

27 September 2016

In 2011, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic reformed and modernised its national IP law to accept a multi-class system and therefore conform to internationally recognised standards.

06 June 2016