What are the registrable sign and/or mark for Trademark registration in Laos?  

Visible sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of a business.

Trademark may be a word, picture or combination thereof with different colors.  

What are the Trademark Registration Procedure of Laos?

Laos adopts the International Classification of Goods and Services under the Nice Agreement (9th Edition).  

Trademark, service mark and collective mark are registrable in Laos, however each trademark application can be applied for one mark in one class of goods/services only.  

Priority right can be claimed in accordance with the Paris Convention.

Formality and substantive examination shall be conducted for all trademark applications filed in Laos.  

The substantive examination is conducted to identify any prior registered mark which are identical with or similar to the claimed mark.  

Certificate of Trademark Registration is usually granted within 6-8 months from the filing date.  

Did Laos adopt first to file principle?  

The first to file system is applied in Laos for registration of trademark  

Did Laos IPD accept Multi-class Applications?  

The International Classification of Goods and Services under the Nice Agreement (currently 9th edition) is applied for classification of goods/services of trademark applications filed in Laos.  

Can priority be claimed for trademark in Laos?

Is possible to claim from the earlier filed trademark application in other country.  

What are the subject matter of examination?  

Trademark applications are examined as to form and substantive within 6 months. 

What is the term of protection for trademark registration?  

The term of protection of trademark in Laos is 10 years from the date of filing (or from the priority date, if any). The registered mark is renewable for unlimited times, each of 10 years.

The trademark owner shall be obliged to use the trademark in Laos. If the registered mark is not used in Laos, the trademark cancellation will be vulnerable to cancellation at a third party's request.  

When registered trademark can removed from Trademark Registry?  

A registered mark that has not been used by its owner or with its owner's permission for a consecutive period of five (05) years shall be removed from Trademark Registry except in the case of force major.  

What are the required documents for trademark Protection? 

Registration of Trademark:  

1.          Instruction letter including:

-          Full name and address of the applicant.

-          List of goods or/and services covered by the application.

-          Priority application number and filing date, country where the priority application was filed.

2.       Notarized Power of Attorney.

3.       20 specimens of the trademark. 

Renewal of trademark registration:  

1.      Notarized Power of Attorney from applicant.

2.       Original trademark registration certificate.

Assignment:  

Assignment is permitted with or without goodwill during the validity of the mark.  The assignment must be made in writing and registered with the competent authority in order to be valid in Laos. The followings documents are required for recordal of an Assignment of Trademark Registration Certificate:

1.     A Power of Attorney from the Assignee duly certified by a Notary Public; Legalization is not necessary

(Required at filing; a fax copy is acceptable provided that the original is submitted within 60 days from the filing date);

2.     An original or a certified copy of the Assignment Agreement, including appendix or appendices (if any) plus a sworn English translation(s) if the documents are not in English ( required at filing);

3.      The original Certificate of Registration of Trademark (required at filing).  

Licensing:  

A license must be made in writing and registered with the competent authority in order to be valid in Laos. The followings documents are required for Recordal of a License Agreement:  

1.    A Power of Attorney from the Assignee duly certified by a Notary Public; Legalization is not necessary (required at filing; a fax copy is acceptable provided that the original is submitted within 60 days from the filing date).  

2.     An original or a certified copy of the License Agreement, including appendix or appendices (if any) plus a sworn English translation(s) if the documents are not in English ( required at filing ).

3.    A certified copy of the Certificate of Trademark Registration (required at filing).

What are the time frame for trademark application in Laos ?

-          For completing of trademark registration is 6-8 months from the filing date.

-          For completing of renewal is about 5-7 months from the filing date in Laos.

-          For completing of change of name/address is 5-7 months from the filing date.

-          For completing of assignment is about 6-9 months.

-          For completing of trademark license agreement is 6-9 months from the filing date in Laos.