The current Copyright Act B.E. 2537 (1994) has been in force for 18 years. Given the rapid technological change in the last two decades, copyright owners and practitioners widely agree that it is necessary to update the existing legislative framework to account for the rise of the internet.

Australia will soon be the first nation to require all tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging. From December 1, 2012, tobacco packaging will be standardized for all manufacturers; photographic health warnings will occupy 75% of the front and 90% of the back of the packaging, and product names will appear in a uniform font in the remainder of the pack, which itself must be colored olive green. No famous logos, other branding, trademarks, or colors can be applied.

Employers often have concerns about their employees competing with them after they leave. Many employers put substantial resources into training their employees and giving them valuable work experience. Thus, departing employees are a cause for concern in terms of potential loss of customers and business. To address this risk, many employers ask us whether they should include noncompetition provisions in their employment agreements, and whether such provisions are enforceable.

A license agreement is simply a contract that governs duties, rights, and obligations between parties to a transaction. The licensor is generally the owner or holder of title to certain rights and the licensee is the party who has contracted to use some or all of those rights with or without certain restrictions.

Ship owners of vessels operating in the Thai territorial jurisdiction face potential liability, either from their direct use of their own vessels or by chartering of vessels to third parties under a carriage of goods by sea agreement or through a charter party agreement. In general, a ship owner’s liability can occur as the result of contractual breach, the commission of civil torts, and through application of specific law. In this article, we endeavor to provide practical guidance on ship owners’ rights in seeking to limit potential liability under Thai law.

Australia will soon be the first nation to require all tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging. From December 1, 2012, tobacco packaging will be standardized for all manufacturers; photographic health warnings will occupy 75% of the front and 90% of the back of the packaging, and product names will appear in a uniform font in the remainder of the pack, which itself must be colored olive green. No famous logos, other branding, trademarks or colors can be applied.

By harmonizing the technical regulations governing the cosmetics industry in the ASEAN region over the past few years, the ASEAN Cosmetics Association has been the driving force toward better quality and standards. This harmonization has also helped remove trade barriers under the ASEAN Free Trade Area.

With the recent economic downturn, Thailand’s government holds a fairly liberal attitude toward international business and trade. The model for economic growth currently being pursued by the Thai government is particularly advantageous to the country’s exporters and to foreign investors. For example, membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other organizations commits Thailand to the reduction and removal of tariffs, duties, non-tariff barriers, and other impediments to trade.