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

Copyright Laws is Approved to be Amended in Thailand

泰國通過修正著作權法

On 27 May 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved a series of significant amendment to the Thai Copyright Act B.E. 2537 (1994). The goal of the amendment is to align Thailand’s legal framework with international standards under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT).

泰國內閣於2025年5月27日批准重大修正佛曆2537年(1994)泰國著作權法。修訂的目的是使泰國的法律框架與世界智慧財產權組織(WIPO)《世界智慧財產權組織表演和錄音製品條約》(WPPT)的國際標準保持一致。

Since Thailand has been on the U.S. Watch List since 2018, a roadmap has been developed in collaboration with Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to outline actions aimed at removing Thailand from all observation lists. The plan introduces faster enforcement measures for all IP violations, including those related to trademarks, copyrights, and pharmaceutical patents. The next step is to submit the approved plan for review by the United States.

由於泰國自 2018 年起就被列入​​美國觀察名單，因此美國與泰國智慧財產局和美國貿易代表 (USTR)合作制定一份路線圖，概述旨在將泰國從所有觀察名單中刪除的行動。此計劃將針對所有智慧財產權侵權行為，包括商標、著作權和藥品專利相關侵權行為，引入更快速的執法措施。下一步是將已獲准的計劃提交給美國審查。

The key amendments of the Thai Copyright Act are as follows, which introduce important changes intended to close existing legal gaps and enhance the rights of performers and producers of phonograms.

泰國著作權法的主要修訂如下，這些修訂引入重要變化，目的

在彌補現有的法律漏洞並增強表演者和錄音製品製作者的權利。

Definition Expansion: The draft law refines and expands definitions for terms such as audiovisual materials, cinematographic works, phonograms, communication to the public, and publication.

擴展定義：法律草案細化並擴展視聽材料、電影作品、錄音製品、向公眾傳播和出版等術語的定義。

Providing More Rights: The draft law granting creators and performers exclusive right over their performances, including fixation, reproduction, and digital dissemination.

提供更多權利：法律草案賦予創作者和表演者對其表演的專有權，包括錄製、複製和數位傳播。

Clarified Economic Rights: The draft law provides clearer articulation of the rights of performers and producers to authorize the broadcasting, reproduction, distribution, rental, and digital availability of their works.

明確經濟權利：法律草案更明確地闡明表演者和製作人授權廣播、複製、發行、出租和數位化提供作品的權利。

Stronger Enforcement Measures: The draft law introduce heightened penalties for copyright infringement and authorize the destruction of infringing goods in civil proceedings, enhancing deterrence and legal recourse.

加強執法措施：法律草案對侵犯著作權的行為加重處罰，並授權在民事訴訟銷毀侵權商品，以增強威懾力和法律追索權。

The draft law has been approved by Thai Cabinet, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is authorized to prepare Thailand’s formal accession to the WPPT, and is now waiting for the approval from the parliament. The full compliance with the treaty is expected to be enforce starting from January 2027.

法律草案已獲得泰國內閣批准，外交部已獲授權準備泰國正式加入WPPT，目前正等待議會批准。預計自2027年1月起，條約將全面生效。

The amendment provides several improvement, such as:

修正案提出了幾項改進，例如:

Modernization of Copyright Law: the draft law address critical gaps in the Copyright Act, especially in protecting performers and phonogram producers in the digital age.

著作權法的現代化：法律草案解決著作權法的關鍵漏洞，特別是在保護數位時代的表演者和錄音製品製作者。

Global Alignment: Joining the WPPT will put Thailand in a better position in international intellectual property framework, improving trade relations and compliance with global standard

全球協調：加入WPPT將使泰國在國際智慧財產權框架處於更有利的地位，改善貿易關係並符合全球標準

Economic Benefits: the amendment of the Copyright Act will benefit create industries, boost economic contribution, and attract foreign investment

經濟效益：修改著作權法有助於創造產業、提升經濟貢獻、吸引外資

Digital Adaptation: the amendment will assist Thailand to deal with modern challenges such as online piracy, providing secure environment for digital content creation and distribution

適應數位化：修正案將幫助泰國應對網路盜版等現代挑戰，為數位內容創作和散布提供安全的環境

On the other hand, the Cabinet also approved the new Intellectual Property (IP) Work Plan between Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The plan was finalized in late 2024, with the aim to improve Thailand’s IP enforcement capabilities and facilitate the country’s removal from the USTR’s “Watch List.”

另一方面，內閣也批准泰國智慧財產權部(DIP)與美國貿易代表辦公室(USTR)之間新的智慧財產權工作計畫。此計畫於2024年底最終確定，旨在提升泰國的智慧財產權執法能力，並推動泰國自美國貿易代表辦公室的「觀察名單」移除。

The IP Work Plan outlines steps for protection across copyright, trademark, patent, and pharmaceutical areas. For copyright, this includes publishing above mentioned draft laws for public consultation, improving online infringement mechanisms, acceding to WIPO treaties, and resolving collective management concerns. It also addresses the use of unlicensed software by encouraging procurement standards in government agencies. For trademarks, the plan proposes reducing application backlogs and improving examiner capacity. Patent reforms include amending relevant laws and enhancing examination efficiency, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals and data protection.

智慧財產權工作計畫概述在著作權、商標、專利和藥品領域實施保護的步驟。在著作權領域，這包括發布上述法律草案徵求公眾意見、改善網路侵權機制、加入產權組織條約以及解決集體管理問題。此計劃還透過鼓勵政府機構提高採購標準來解決使用未經授權的軟體問題。在商標領域，此計劃建議減少申請積壓並提高審查員的能力。專利改革包括修訂相關法律並提高審查效率，特別著重於藥品和資料保護。

The reform of intellectual property (IP) laws in Thailand will have a significant impact on businesses, particularly those in the technology, creative media, digital services, and content distribution sectors. As Thailand aligns its legal framework with international treaties and strengthens enforcement mechanisms, businesses will be required to place greater emphasis on strict compliance with legal requirements and proper licensing practices.

泰國智慧財產權法的改革將對企業產生重大影響，尤其是科技、創意媒體、數位服務和內容分發領域的企業。隨著泰國將法律框架與國際條約接軌並加強執法機制，企業將被要求更加重視嚴格遵守法律要求和適當的許可做法。

This shift will lead to increased scrutiny over software usage, content rights, and the management of trademarks and copyrights. At the same time, stronger penalties and more efficient legal procedures will heighten the risks for those who infringe upon IP rights. Moreover, businesses operating internationally or holding IP assets will benefit from stronger protections but must also adapt to stricter regulatory standards.

這一轉變將導致對使用軟體、內容權利以及商標和著作權管理的審查更加嚴格。同時，更嚴厲的處罰和更有效率的法律程序將增加侵犯智慧財產權者的風險。此外，在國際上營運或持有智慧財產權資產的企業將受益於更強有力的保護，但也必須適應更嚴格的監管標準。

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