Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Or refine your search by selecting a city:
Laos Attorneys in related practice areas.
Refine your search by selecting a city.
Intellectual property law in Laos is governed by the Intellectual Property Law (amended by the Law on Intellectual Property No. 38/NA in 2017) which governs the protection, transfer and enforcement of intellectual rights. It defines and protects copyrights, trademarks, patents, geographical indications, trade secrets, industrial designs, new plant varieties and certain software expressions. Intellectual Property laws in Laos are in sync with the requirements of the international conventions and treaties, such as Paris Convention, Berne Convention, and TRIPS Agreement, to which Laos is a party.
You may need a lawyer for intellectual property (IP) in Laos for many reasons: seeking advice on registering patents, trademarks, copyrights or industrial designs; pursuing or defending against potential infringement cases; or to aid in IP assignment and licensing agreements. Commercial exploitation of IP rights, such as via export or franchise arrangements and assessing IP risks in business ventures, are other corners where a lawyer's expertise can be invaluable. Intellectual property can often be a significant asset within a business and securing and managing that asset professionally is crucial.
The key aspects of local laws in relation to Intellectual Property in Laos are the establishment and protection of various intellectual property rights. These include industrial property rights inclusive of patents, utility models, industrial designs, trademarks, trade names, and geographical indications; and copyright rights including literary and artistic property rights. Registration of these rights is an important provision. Trademark law dictates that rights are awarded to the party who first registers the mark. It is mandatory to obtain a patent for a product to gain manufacturing and sales rights.
The best way to protect your intellectual property in Laos is by registering it under the various categories provided by Lao laws.
The duration of a patent in Laos lasts for 20 years from the date of filing, subject to periodic renewal fees.
A registered trademark grants you the exclusive right to use a particular mark, you can file a civil lawsuit against the infringing party using your registered mark without your permission.
For copyright infringement, perpetrators may be subject to fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment for up to two years.
Yes, Laos is a signatory to the Paris Convention, TRIPS Agreement, and the Berne Convention.
Yes, foreigners can register IP rights in Laos, subject to certain conditions and procedures.
Yes, traditional knowledge and folklore are protected under the laws of Laos.
Patent applications must be filed with the Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology in Laos.
Legal aid for filing IP rights can be sought from legal firms specializing in Intellectual Property law in Laos.
It takes approximately 6 to 8 months to register a trademark in Laos.
The Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Laos government is the primary authority for all matters pertaining to Intellectual Property. They can provide necessary guidance and support. Additionally, the World Intellectual Property Organisation provides information on Intellectual Property laws in Laos on its website.
If you need legal assistance in matters related to Intellectual Property in Laos, start by seeking counsel from a law firm specializing in Intellectual Property laws in Laos. Such a firm can guide you through all stages of the intellectual property process, including the application, registration, protection and enforcement of your IP rights.
