Lao - Protecting Intellectual PropertyLao - Protecting IP
Intellectual property protection in Laos is weak, but steadily improving.
In 2011 the National Assembly passed a comprehensive revision of the Law on Intellectual Property, and an amended version in 2017 (though changes are not thought to be significant). The Ministry of Science and Technology now controls the issuance of patents, copyrights, and trademarks. The consolidation of responsibility for IPR under the Ministry of Science and Technology is a positive development, but the Ministry lacks enforcement capacity. Laos is a member of the ASEAN Common Filing System on patents, but lacks qualified patent examiners.
IP Attaché Contact
Name: Mr. Khanlasy Keobounphanh, Director General of Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Science and Technology
Address: P.O. Box: 2279, Sidamduan Road, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Telephone: (856) 21 213 470 (Ext 148), (856) 21 253 111
E-mail: dip.laopdr@gmail.com
For additional information about treaty obligations and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles.
In 2011 the National Assembly passed a comprehensive revision of the Law on Intellectual Property, and an amended version in 2017 (though changes are not thought to be significant). The Ministry of Science and Technology now controls the issuance of patents, copyrights, and trademarks. The consolidation of responsibility for IPR under the Ministry of Science and Technology is a positive development, but the Ministry lacks enforcement capacity. Laos is a member of the ASEAN Common Filing System on patents, but lacks qualified patent examiners.
IP Attaché Contact
Name: Mr. Khanlasy Keobounphanh, Director General of Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Science and Technology
Address: P.O. Box: 2279, Sidamduan Road, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Telephone: (856) 21 213 470 (Ext 148), (856) 21 253 111
E-mail: dip.laopdr@gmail.com
For additional information about treaty obligations and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles.