International Intellectual Property Disputes Involving Thailand
Keywords:
International Intellectual Property Disputes, TRIPS Agreement, WTO Dispute Settlement MechanismAbstract
International intellectual property (IP) disputes involving Thailand as a party or stakeholder illustrate the complex interaction between domestic law and international obligations in the context of globalized trade. This is particularly evident under the framework of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) within the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as under bilateral and plurilateral free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
This article analyzes major disputes in which Thailand has been involved, focusing on case studies concerning the use of Compulsory Licensing (CL) under Article 31 of the TRIPS Agreement—specifically regarding the conditions under which states may authorize the use of patented inventions for public health purposes and its implementation under Thailand’s Patent Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and subsequent amendments, which allow state use of patents for public benefit in conformity with international law. The article also compares Thailand’s experience in disputes over Geographical Indications (GIs) under Articles 22–24 of the TRIPS Agreement and the Geographical Indications Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003), which reflects Thailand’s efforts to harmonize domestic law with international IP standards. Moreover, the discussion extends to Cross-Border Litigation involving personal jurisdiction and the protection of Thai IP holders abroad, highlighting challenges in enforcing IP rights across multiple jurisdictions.
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