IBC泰國法律金融會計事務所International Business Consultancy

Updates on Patent and Design in Thailand

泰國專利和設計新訊

The Thai Patent Act B.E. 2522 currently is undergoing revisions. The aim of the amendments is to expedite the application process and to follow international standards. Also, it helps Thailand to prepare for joining the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs. The draft amendment has been submitted by the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to the Office of the Council of State for consideration. The Legal Affairs Office of the DIP expects that the deliberations will be completed by 2024.

泰國佛曆2522年《專利法》目前正在修訂中。修訂的目的是加快申請流程並遵循國際標準。此外，這還幫助泰國為加入《工業品外觀設計國際保存海牙協定》做好準備。該修正案草案已由智財局(DIP)提交給國務委員會辦公室審議。 DIP 法律事務辦公室預計審議將於 2024 年完成。

Below are key points of the amendments:

以下為修改要點:

The Increase of Number of Thai Patent and Design Examiners

增加泰國專利和設計審查員的數量

The current number of examiners is insufficient, especially there is approximately 8,000 patent applications in Thailand per year, which will lead to delay in examination. Below is the existing number of patent examiners in various fields:

目前審查員數量不足，尤其是泰國每年約有8,000件專利申請，將導致審查延遲。以下為各領域現有專利審查員人數:

E-certificate for Patent and Design

專利及設計電子證書

Electronic certificate (E-certificate) for patents and designs is accessible for applications where the grant fee was submitted on or after April 19, 2021. 

對於在 2021 年 4 月 19 日或之後提交註冊費的申請，可以獲得專利和外觀設計的電子證書(E證書)。

E-Certificates are usually issued within 1-2 months of registration fee payment. If there is loss or damage to the original hard copy, follow simple steps: report the loss to the local police station and submit the application form, or submit the damaged patent along with the form. While the original hard copy remains vital for litigation, E-Certificates serve as valid proof of rights until a patent's expiration.

電子證書通常在註冊費繳納後 1-2 個月內頒發。如果正本遺失或損壞，請遵循簡單的步驟：向當地派出所掛失並提交申請表，或將損壞的專利證書與表格一併提交。雖然證書正本對於訴訟仍然至關重要，但電子證書在專利到期之前可作為有效的權利證明。

Navigating Design Titles

引導設計標題

The Thai Patent Office uses the title of a design application as a key element in categorizing product designs and assigning Locarno classification numbers. Under the current examination manual for design patent applications, the design title must signify the product without delving into specifics such as advantages, properties, or trade names.

泰國專利局使用設計申請的標題作為對產品設計進行分類和分配羅卡諾分類號碼的關鍵要素。根據現行的設計專利申請審查手冊，設計名稱必須表明產品，而無需深入探討優點、特性或商品名稱等細節。

Applicants are facing limitations when suggesting new design titles that differ from those already present in the online database. This objection may arise when attempting to designate a design with a name reflective of its varied applications, such as a product shaped like a bottle.

申請人在提出與線上資料庫中已有的設計標題不同的新設計標題時面臨著限制。當試圖用反映其不同應用的名稱來指定一種設計時，例如形狀像瓶子的產品，可能會出現這種反對意見。

The new development should be considered carefully. Imagine facing potential infringement concerns because the revised title encompasses more intended. Amendment of title allow to refine the scope,  protecting the core elements of a design while potentially avoiding conflict with pre-existing designs.

新的發展應該仔細考慮。想像一下，由於修改後的標題包含更多意圖，因此面臨潛在的侵權問題。標題的修改可以細化範圍，保護設計的核心要素，同時可能避免與現有設計衝突。

IBC International Consultancy is a Law, Finance, and Accounting firm located in Bangkok, Thailand. With Experienced lawyers, accountants, and financial advisers, we provided services including investment, tax, and legal consultants in Thailand. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via Line: @ibcfirm for further information.

IBC泰國法律金融會計事務所 (International Business Consultancy) 為一間位於曼谷的泰國法律金融會計事務所，由經驗豐富的律師、會計師、及財務顧問組成，可提供泰國投資、泰國稅收及泰國法律諮詢等服務。如果有什麼問題，可以隨時通過Line: @ibcfirm與我們聯繫。