Best Copyright Lawyers in Bang Khen

About Copyright Law in Bang Khen, Thailand

Copyright in Thailand protects original literary, artistic, musical, audiovisual, software, architectural, photographic, and other qualifying works. Protection is automatic from the moment an original work is fixed in a tangible form, and no formal registration is required. Bang Khen is a district within Bangkok, so creators and businesses in Bang Khen are subject to Thailand’s national copyright framework and benefit from access to Bangkok-based intellectual property institutions and courts.

The Thai Copyright Act B.E. 2537 and its subsequent amendments govern rights and remedies. These laws grant authors economic rights such as reproduction, adaptation, communication to the public, distribution, and rental for certain works, as well as moral rights to be credited and to object to derogatory treatment of the work. Software is protected as a literary work, photographs as artistic works, and sound recordings and broadcasts have related rights protection.

Typical protection lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years. Different terms can apply to works created by juristic persons, films and audiovisual works, sound recordings, broadcasts, and applied art. Thailand also recognizes exceptions for activities such as research, private study, teaching, library use, quotation with attribution, and certain uses for persons with disabilities, all subject to specific statutory conditions.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Individuals and businesses in Bang Khen often seek copyright counsel when launching creative ventures, using third party content, or responding to infringement risk. Legal advice helps you audit content before release, clear rights in music, images, fonts, and software, and set up licensing models for online platforms and social media channels. Startups and SMEs commonly need help drafting contractor agreements that specify copyright ownership, especially for software development, branding, photography, and marketing materials.

If you receive a demand letter, takedown notice, or court summons, a lawyer can assess the claims, negotiate a settlement, or defend you in the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court in Bangkok, which has nationwide jurisdiction. Rights holders rely on counsel to prepare cease and desist letters, gather evidence, file civil actions for damages and injunctions, and coordinate with authorities for criminal complaints in cases of large scale piracy or counterfeiting.

Online issues are frequent. A lawyer can advise on platform terms, notice procedures for removing infringing posts or marketplace listings, and court supervised measures aimed at service providers. For cross border issues, counsel can plan multi jurisdiction enforcement, manage licensing to streaming services, and align royalty collection with local collective management organizations.

Local Laws Overview

Thailand’s copyright system is national, so the same rules apply in Bang Khen as elsewhere. Key elements include automatic protection upon creation, no general registration requirement, economic and moral rights for authors, and specific protection for technological protection measures and rights management information. Circumventing access controls or removing rights management information can lead to liability even where the underlying content is not directly copied.

Duration is generally life of the author plus 50 years. For juristic persons, the term is typically 50 years from first publication, with special rules if the work remains unpublished for a set period. Films and audiovisual works, sound recordings, broadcasts, and applied art have specific terms, with applied art protected for a shorter period than most other works.

Limitations and exceptions operate as fair dealing style allowances rather than open ended fair use. Typical permitted uses include private study, research, criticism, news reporting, classroom teaching, library preservation, and certain quotations with acknowledgement of the source and author. Thailand has modernized provisions to support the making of accessible format copies for persons with print disabilities under defined conditions.

Enforcement can be civil or criminal. Civil actions may seek injunctions, damages, delivery up of infringing goods, and destruction of infringing copies and tools. Criminal penalties can apply to willful infringement carried out for profit. Border measures are available through customs to detain suspected infringing imports or exports. Online enforcement can involve court supervised processes directed at service providers. The Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court in Bangkok hears IP cases and is accessible from Bang Khen.

Ownership defaults matter. For employees creating works in the course of employment, the employer may own the rights unless the contract says otherwise. For commissioned works, the commissioner typically obtains only the agreed use unless copyright is expressly assigned. Clear written agreements are essential to avoid disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my copyright in Thailand

No. Copyright protection is automatic when an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form. There is no general government registration that creates rights. Authors sometimes keep dated records, deposit copies with a trusted third party, or use contractual notices to strengthen evidence, but these do not replace the law’s automatic protection.

How long does copyright last in Thailand

For most works authored by a natural person, protection lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years. Different terms apply to works by juristic persons, audiovisual works, sound recordings, broadcasts, and applied art. A lawyer can help you determine the correct term for your specific work.

What is allowed under fair dealing in Thailand

Thai law allows certain limited uses without permission, such as private study or research, criticism or review, news reporting, quotation with acknowledgement, teaching and library use, and temporary technical copying, each with conditions. The scope is narrower and more specific than fair use in some other countries. When in doubt, seek permission or get legal advice.

Can I use a photo I found on social media for my business

Not without permission. Most online photos are protected, even if publicly visible. You should obtain a license from the rights holder or use properly licensed stock images. Screenshots, memes, and reposts can also infringe unless an exception applies or permission is granted.

Who owns the copyright in work made by freelancers

Unless a contract says otherwise, the creator generally owns the copyright and the client gets only the use agreed upon. Use an explicit written assignment or license that states who owns what, the scope of use, duration, territory, and payment terms.

How do I handle music in my restaurant or shop in Bang Khen

Playing music publicly typically requires licenses from the relevant rights holders or collective management organizations. Different licenses may be needed for recordings and musical works. A lawyer or reputable licensing agency can help you determine what you need for background music, live performances, or events.

What should I do if I receive a copyright infringement notice

Do not ignore it. Preserve all relevant evidence, review the content at issue, and consult a lawyer promptly. Your lawyer can evaluate whether the claim has merit, advise on compliance, negotiation, or defense, and manage communication to avoid admissions that could harm your position.

How can I take down infringing content posted online

Document the infringement with screenshots and URLs, identify the uploader if possible, and consult counsel. In Thailand, measures may include sending a detailed notice to the platform and, where appropriate, seeking a court order directed at a service provider. Your lawyer can choose the most effective route based on the platform and the urgency.

Is software protected by copyright in Thailand

Yes. Computer programs are protected as literary works. Copyright covers the code and certain related materials, while ideas and algorithms as such are not protected. Licenses, EULAs, and clear development contracts are important to establish usage rights and ownership.

What remedies are available if someone infringes my work

Available remedies can include injunctions to stop the infringement, damages or account of profits, delivery up and destruction of infringing goods, and in serious cases criminal enforcement. Border measures can help stop infringing imports. The appropriate remedy depends on the facts and strategy chosen.

Additional Resources

Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce. The national authority for copyright policy, public information, and assistance on enforcement coordination.

Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, Bangkok. Specialized court handling IP disputes with nationwide jurisdiction.

Economic Crime Suppression Division, Royal Thai Police. Unit that can investigate large scale commercial infringement and support raid actions.

Thai Customs Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement. Border enforcement for suspected infringing goods entering or leaving Thailand.

Collective Management Organizations for music, film, and publishing. These entities license public performance, broadcasting, and other uses on behalf of rights holders and can guide businesses on obtaining the correct licenses.

Local universities and incubators in Bangkok, including those near Bang Khen, often host IP clinics or seminars that provide foundational guidance for creators and startups.

Next Steps

If you think you need legal assistance in Bang Khen, start by gathering key documents. Keep dated copies of your work, drafts, contracts, invoices, and any communications with the other party or the platform involved. Take screenshots that show URLs and timestamps for any online issues.

Write down your goals. Decide whether you want the use to stop, to obtain a license, to seek compensation, or to clarify ownership. Your objectives will guide the legal strategy and cost management.

Schedule a consultation with a copyright lawyer who practices in Bangkok. Ask about experience with your type of work, expected timelines, possible outcomes, and fee structures. If you operate a business, request a preventive audit to map all content you use and confirm that licenses and contracts are in place.

For ongoing operations in Bang Khen, implement a clear content policy. Use only properly licensed images, music, fonts, and software. Keep a centralized record of licenses and expiration dates. Ensure your employment and contractor agreements specify copyright ownership, moral rights waivers where appropriate, and deliverables with acceptance criteria.

If urgent action is needed, such as a fast online takedown, advise your lawyer immediately so that appropriate notices or court supervised measures can be initiated without delay. Acting quickly and documenting carefully will improve your position whether you are enforcing rights or defending against a claim.