Intellectual property (“IP“) is an area of law that is in constant development. With the continually evolving nature of IP rights and the changing needs of IP enforcement, both domestic and international IP frameworks are having to update themselves to keep up with shifting practical and economic forces.
This is aptly demonstrated in the IP law developments in the past year in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia has been advancing its presence in the IP industry, with more businesses looking to develop their IP interests in the region. This has led to a greater focus on domestic and regional IP frameworks, with governments looking to modernise and enhance their respective frameworks to allow for more efficient utilisation and effective enforcement of IP rights.
In this regard, 2024 has seen many jurisdictions in the region updating their IP registration frameworks, introducing novel channels for faster, more efficient processes, with greater harmonisation between jurisdictions. In the operational aspect, jurisdictions are taking advantage of the benefits of technological improvements and adopting more tech-enabled registration systems.
The past year has seen countries enhancing their IP legislation frameworks, updating their laws to accommodate the shift in global attention towards intangible assets and artificial intelligence. Countries have also been improving their IP legislation by tightening up existing laws to fill lacunas that may have been previously unaddressed.
In this annual review, we look back at the major developments in IP law in the past year across selected Southeast Asian jurisdictions. We also look ahead to the anticipated trends and developments of 2025.
Click here to read the full newsletter.
Disclaimer
Rajah & Tann Asia is a network of member firms with local legal practices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Our Asian network also includes our regional office in China as well as regional desks focused on Brunei, Japan and South Asia. Member firms are independently constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local requirements.
The contents of this publication are owned by Rajah & Tann Asia together with each of its member firms and are subject to all relevant protection (including but not limited to copyright protection) under the laws of each of the countries where the member firm operates and, through international treaties, other countries. No part of this publication may be reproduced, licensed, sold, published, transmitted, modified, adapted, publicly displayed, broadcast (including storage in any medium by electronic means whether or not transiently for any purpose save as permitted herein) without the prior written permission of Rajah & Tann Asia or its respective member firms.
Please note also that whilst the information in this publication is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief at the time of writing, it is only intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter and should not be treated as legal advice or a substitute for specific professional advice for any particular course of action as such information may not suit your specific business and operational requirements. You should seek legal advice for your specific situation. In addition, the information in this publication does not create any relationship, whether legally binding or otherwise. Rajah & Tann Asia and its member firms do not accept, and fully disclaim, responsibility for any loss or damage which may result from accessing or relying on the information in this publication.
