Guides for filing and protecting trademark in Laos

In accordance with the previously provisions of trademark in Laos, registration of a trademark application for multiple class are not acceptable. It requires each trademark application in Laos only be registered for one class of goods/services. This regulation may cause difficulties for the Applicant in disbursement as well as trademark management.

Recently, according to Notice No.57/MOST.DIP of the Laos Intellectual Property Department, Ministry of Science and Technology, multiple-class application for trademark in Laos is officially allowed as from February 01, 2016.

1. Requirements

For the purpose of filing trademark application in Laos, the following documents are required:

(i) A Notarized bilingual Power of Attorney (POA). Scanned copy of the POA is accepted at filing, the original one must be submitted within 1 month later; [our form is attached] A proper POA can be used as general one within 05 years as from its signing date.

(ii) A specimen of the trademark in .JPEG file with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi;

(iii) A list of goods and/or services in accordance with the International Classification on which the application is to be applied.

2. Cost

Please be noted that under the Laos Trademark Law, all fee for filing, publication and grant of registration shall be added up in a lump sum, not separated and paid at the time of filing.

3. Time frame

Under the current Lao Trademark Regulation, the application is subject to formality and substantive examination within 10 months as of the filing. If no cited trademark arises and the mark meets protection criteria, the Certificate of trademark registration shall be issued. Generally, it will take about 12 to 18 months from the filing date for obtaining a Certificate of trademark registration.

In case you require more information or require advice on Intellectual Property right in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia as well as other IP matters, please do not hesitate to contact us via email: info@apta.vn