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Thailand approves new IP rights enforcement plan

The initiative, developed in coordination with the US Trade Representative Office, is intended to address longstanding concerns over IP protection and enforcement.

Containers at a port in Bangkok, Thailand (Illustative photo: AFP/VNA)
Containers at a port in Bangkok, Thailand (Illustative photo: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s cabinet has approved a comprehensive framework to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights as the country seeks removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)'s watchlist.

Speaking to the media on May 27, Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said that the initiative, developed in coordination with the USTR Office, is intended to address longstanding concerns over IP protection and enforcement.

He said the Thailand Intellectual Property Work Plan will be shared with US officials and relevant domestic agencies to implement necessary reforms.

Thailand has figured in the US watchlist of intellectual property offenders since 2007. It has worked with the USTR to improve the regulatory regime covering trademarks, pharmaceutical patents, and copyrights, among others, according to a government statement.

Lax intellectual property enforcement is among the non-tariff trade barriers cited by the US after Thailand posted a trade surplus of 45.6 billion USD with Washington last year.

The US in April announced a 36% tariff on Thai exports, which has since been paused for 90 days.

The moratorium ends on July 9, and US officials have said that countries that do not reach an agreement with Washington by that time will be assigned a tariff rate. However, they could continue to negotiate if they want to change it.

Pichai said he expects Thailand and the US to hold formal tariff talks before the deadline. A working group of Thai officials has been regularly engaging with US officials in preparation for formal negotiations.

The new framework on IP rights calls for amendments to Thailand’s Copyright Act to bring it in line with the World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty. That should shield the rights of producers and creators of audio-visual programmes and impose greater civil and financial penalties for offenders.

According to the Thai Government, the changes, to be effective from 2027, will help tackle software and online piracy, and ensure the rights to fair compensation for titleholders.

Under the new work plan, Thailand may also improve its patent rules to tackle the menace of production, distribution, and sale of counterfeit pharmaceutical products./.

VNA
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