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Waralee Sripawadkul

Senior Associate

Biography

Waralee Sripawadkul is a senior associate in Tilleke & Gibbins’ intellectual property group in Bangkok. She assists clients with trademark and copyright matters, covering prosecution, enforcement, and litigation across various industries. Additionally, Waralee plays a key role in shaping IP strategies, offering guidance on complex cross-border licensing and commercialization initiatives. Her expertise also encompasses advising on legal compliance in advertising and media, as well as conducting thorough due diligence on IP assets.

Waralee graduated with an LLB from Chulalongkorn University and obtained an LLM in Intellectual Property Law and International Business from the Center for International Intellectual Property Studies at the University of Strasbourg in France. She is an admitted member of the Thai Bar Association and the Lawyers Council of Thailand and has completed the barrister-at-law requirements of the Thai Bar Association’s Institute of Legal Education.

Experience

  • Assisted a US-based multinational corporation’s in relation to television streaming services by providing comprehensive support through all development and production phases for producing shows, films, and TV series. The work involved ensuring legal compliance with local laws and international standards and addressing various legal considerations (such as IP protection, employment regulations, PDPA compliance, NDAs, leasing agreements, right to publicity issues, anti-harassment policies, and anti-discrimination protocols).
  • Advised a world-leading American multinational e-commerce platform and cloud computing on the legal framework necessary for delivering cloud storage services.
  • Assisted a prominent Japanese global manufacturer specializing in agriculture, water, and living environment products by reviewing legal compliance for all of its advertisements and promotional activities in Thailand.
  • Assisted in a monumental THB 1.6 billion IP asset acquisition project for one of the globe’s top three most influential multinational leaders in the music-based entertainment industry, involving the music asset acquisition of over 10,000 master recordings and 6,000 copyrights, publishing rights, and licenses spanning from 1981 to 2022, showcasing the artistic endeavors of over 960 creators, from Thailand’s second-largest music record label.
  • Assisted one of the world’s most renowned and rapidly expanding audiovisual streaming entertainment companies, headquartered in the United States, by analyzing and providing expert advice on the legal landscape and local protocols for music licensing in Thailand.
  • Assisted a prominent Hong Kong-based panregional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service company by reviewing its program license agreements and publishing license agreements with a local Thai production company to facilitate the launch of featured content in Thailand.
  • Assisted one of the world’s largest restaurant brands, a leading chain based in the US with over 44,000 locations, in reviewing its franchise agreements and managing the trademark licensing process for all franchisee branches in Thailand.
  • Assisted a Swedish-based retail giant operating 422 stores in over 50 countries by reviewing agreements with its local distributors for operating both physical and online retail outlets.
  • Assisted one of the UK’s most iconic lifestyle footwear brands by reviewing and negotiating franchise agreement contracts for the operation of stores in Thailand.
  • Assisted an American multinational world-class hospitality company, specializing in managing and franchising a broad portfolio of hotels, resorts, and timeshare properties, in reviewing its intellectual property license agreements for the use of its marks in local operations in Thailand.
  • Assisted a Thailand-based international diversified energy provider by reviewing its software license agreement, and advised the company on measures to safeguard copyright ownership of IP rights arising from the public/end user’s use of the software.
  • Assisted the world’s premier Italian-based conglomerate in the chocolates and confectionery industry by safeguarding its renowned brands and distinctive packaging through comprehensive trademark registrations, management of trademark portfolios, enforcement of intellectual property rights against infringers, and negotiation for mutually beneficial coexistence agreements with counterparties.
  • Assisted one of the world’s highest-grossing multimedia companies, headquartered in China, by reviewing and providing strategic advice on the potential risks associated with using music copyrights in one of Asia’s most widely broadcast game shows.
  • Assisted the world’s #1 beauty app developer in safeguarding its software copyright and providing strategic advice on enforcement measures to protect its most valuable business assets.
  • Assisted Thailand’s largest record label by counseling on copyright protection matters in relation to master recordings, scrutinizing and refining various service agreement templates to safeguard the label’s interests in compliance with Thai legislation, and fostering equitable relationships with counterparties.
  • Advised an esteemed Australian luxury cosmetics and skincare brand on securing appropriate music copyright licenses for the purpose of in-store music utilization.
  • Assisted one of the most influential and prolific street artists in safeguarding their iconic street art copyrights, while also negotiating merchandising contracts and service agreements with prospective partners.
  • Assisted an esteemed Italian-based beverage company, renowned for its production of world-class sparkling wines, in safeguarding the use of its geographical indications and enforcing its exclusive rights against infringers in Thailand.
  • Assisted one of the world’s industry-leading suppliers of programming, with over 70 series currently in production across US-based broadcast networks, in safeguarding and managing portfolios of its brands, which involved enforcing exclusive copyright and trademark rights for its TV show names and characters in Thailand.
  • Assisted one of the globe’s most esteemed designers in safeguarding his signature red-soled shoes and fashion accessories, including executing measures to uphold his IP rights against unauthorized use and providing comprehensive training to enforcement officers on detecting counterfeit merchandise.
  • Assisted one of the world’s leading office equipment manufacturers, based in Japan and renowned as the largest copier manufacturer globally, in safeguarding and effectively managing the portfolios of its brands within Thailand.
  • Assisted one of the world’s foremost US-based oil and gas corporations in safeguarding its esteemed brands, overseeing its extensive trademark portfolio, and vigorously defending its intellectual property rights against infringement, in addition to advocating for the client in groundbreaking cases to secure nontraditional trademark registrations for its gas stations and fuel dispensers.
  • Assisted a renowned UK-based producer of tea and beverages in safeguarding and managing its extensive portfolio of brands, products, and packaging designs across sweets and beverage items.
  • Assisted a US-based leader in computer-drive and data-storage technology and solutions manufacturing by analyzing infringement cases, implementing enforcement actions to protect its intellectual property rights against infringers, and providing training sessions for IP enforcement officers on identification of counterfeit products.
  • Assisted a Japan-based world-leading manufacturer of personal care and pet care products in safeguarding its copyright for product packaging in Thailand.
  • Assisted a Swedish multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles, trucks, buses, construction equipment, and marine and industrial engines, in safeguarding and overseeing its brand portfolio in Thailand, in addition to enforcing rights against numerous infringers in Thailand.
  • Assisted a Belgium-based company globally renowned for its iconic Biscoff cookie in safeguarding and overseeing the portfolio of its brand and product designs, particularly focusing on the distinctive Biscoff cookies and packaging, recognized as both trade dress and nontraditional trademarks in Thailand.
  • Represented one of the world’s foremost US-based oil and gas corporations in groundbreaking cases to secure nontraditional trademark registrations for its gas stations and fuel dispensers, culminating in a triumph at the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, further advancing to the Supreme Court.
  • Represented an American multinational mass media, and entertainment conglomerate specializing in TV programming and broadcasting in litigation against Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property to protect its TV show name, securing favorable judgments at the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court and the appeals court.
  • Represented a prominent supply chain technology and service provider headquartered in China in litigation proceedings against Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property, aimed at safeguarding its platform brands in Thailand, culminating in a triumph at the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, further advancing to the Supreme Court.
  • Represented a renowned global sports footwear and apparel manufacturer in litigating against Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property to safeguard its paramount position mark, which adorns every one of the client’s shoes sold in Thailand. This case garnered significant attention, given the intricate challenges associated with obtaining and enforcing protection for the position mark within Thailand.
  • Represented a distinguished Canada-based hospitality conglomerate, renowned for its management of hotels, resorts, and residential properties across 47 countries, in legal proceedings against Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property and an infringing party who used the client’s iconic trademark without authorization.
  • Assisted the World Bearing Association in coordinating and facilitating annual training sessions aimed at raising awareness among Thai legal enforcement agencies, including the Department of Special Investigation, Customs, and the Department of Intellectual Property, regarding the identification of counterfeit goods.
ABOUT Waralee

Location

Languages

    Thai

    English

    French

Education

    LLM, University of Strasbourg

    LLB, Chulalongkorn University

Insights

July 27, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins’ intellectual property specialists have authored the Thailand chapter of Trade Secrets 2026 from Chambers and Partners. This global guide examines the legal frameworks governing trade secret protection, enforcement, and litigation across jurisdictions worldwide. The Thailand chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s legal regime for protecting confidential business information, covering the legal framework, trade secret misappropriation, litigation procedures, remedies, and dispute resolution. Some topics covered include: Protectable trade secrets Reasonable measures to maintain secrecy Employee confidentiality Trade secret licensing Civil and criminal remedies Litigation procedures and injunctions Damages and other remedies Mediation and arbitration The guide also examines practical issues relating to safeguarding trade secrets, defending against allegations of misappropriation, and managing trade secret disputes in Thailand. Chambers and Partners’ Global Practice Guides provide in-house counsel with authoritative commentary on practical legal issues affecting business, enabling readers to compare legislation and procedures across multiple jurisdictions. The Thailand chapter of Trade Secrets 2026 is available on the Chambers and Partners website.
July 24, 2026
As food innovation continues to accelerate, manufacturers are increasingly introducing ingredients derived from new sources, produced using novel technologies, or lacking a significant history of human consumption. While these innovations create new opportunities for the food industry, they also raise important questions regarding consumer safety. For this reason, many jurisdictions, including Thailand, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, and Singapore, require a premarket safety assessment for novel food ingredients before they can be placed on the market. The objective of this assessment is to ensure that each ingredient is safe for its intended use and level of consumption, does not present toxicological, allergenic, microbiological, or nutritional concerns, and will not mislead consumers. Scientific authorities typically evaluate the ingredient’s identity, manufacturing process, composition, specifications, anticipated dietary exposure, toxicological information, nutritional impact, and history of use before determining whether it can be marketed. Against this background, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently took an important step toward improving regulatory transparency by publishing, for the first time, a consolidated public list of substances that have successfully completed the Thai FDA’s safety assessment process, including substances determined to be novel foods and those determined not to fall within the novel food category. The list identifies the approved substances, the corresponding manufacturers or importers, approval dates, and the approved conditions of use. Although the publication does not change the existing legal framework governing novel food approvals, it provides businesses with greater visibility into the Thai FDA’s regulatory precedents and the types of substances that have previously been accepted through the safety assessment process. The full announcement is available on the Thai FDA’s website. As the list is now publicly available, it also provides useful insight into the types of substances that have successfully completed the Thai FDA’s safety assessment process.
December 9, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins is proud to announce that four litigation cases handled by the firm have been selected among the nine Distinguished Judgment Awards granted by Thailand’s Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court (IP&IT Court) for the period from October 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. This recognition highlights the complexity, novelty, and legal significance of these cases, which were chosen based on stringent criteria including new legal issues, high evidentiary volume, and intricate legal arguments. Among these four cases, one was singled out as the “Most Distinguished Judgment” – the landmark trademark squatting case involving the trademark rights of our client, Thailand’s largest state-owned energy conglomerate, and its subsidiary. In this case, the defendants had filed 52 trademark applications mimicking our client’s marks, making it the largest trademark squatting dispute in Thai history. On April 30, 2025, the IP&IT Court ordered the cancellation of multiple infringing trademarks, setting a benchmark for IP enforcement against trademark squatters in Thailand. The other three recognized cases demonstrate Tilleke & Gibbins’ breadth of expertise in IP litigation: Patent infringement and invalidation involving trade secrets misappropriation. Trade dress infringement of a unique packaging. Landmark Luckin Coffee case involving trademark infringement and invalidation. The IP&IT Court handles approximately 200 IP civil litigation cases each year, and our IP litigation team has typically been involved in 25–30% of them, reflecting our dominant role in shaping IP jurisprudence in Thailand.

Awards & Rankings

May 14, 2026
Asian Legal Business (ALB) has published the ALB Asia IP Rankings 2026, the latest edition of its annual guide recognizing leading intellectual property firms across the region. Continuing the approach introduced last year, the rankings present a unified table in each jurisdiction, combining patent and trademark/copyright work to provide a more holistic view of the IP market. Tilleke & Gibbins has retained strong rankings in all three jurisdictions covered by the survey: Thailand: Tier 1 Vietnam: Tier 1 Indonesia: Tier 2 The rankings are based on work conducted between February 2025 and February 2026, covering both ongoing and completed contentious and noncontentious matters. ALB’s research draws on firm submissions, client feedback, editorial resources, and market input to identify the region’s leading IP practices. Tilleke & Gibbins’ IP team has maintained a strong track record across all ranked jurisdictions since the inception of the ALB IP Rankings in 2018. To view the full rankings, please see the May 2026 issue of ALB.
April 3, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins is pleased to announce that the firm has been shortlisted in two categories at the Financial Times (FT) Innovative Lawyers APAC 2026 awards: Innovative Lawyers in Cyber and Data Privacy – “Digital Identity & Cryptocurrency Compliance” Innovative Practitioner – Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh The FT Innovative Lawyers APAC Awards recognize law firms and practitioners who are driving innovation in legal services and delivering innovative client solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. This recognition marks our third acknowledgment in the Innovative Lawyers category and, notably, our first-ever nomination in the Innovative Practitioner category at the FT Innovative Lawyers APAC awards. It reflects our team’s continued ability to support clients on groundbreaking, forward-looking projects across the region. The awards ceremony will take place on May 14, 2026, in Hong Kong. To learn more about the FT Innovative Lawyers APAC 2026 awards and to view the full list of shortlisted organizations, please visit the FT website.
March 19, 2026
Tilleke & Gibbins has been recognized in 17 categories at the 2026 Thailand Law Firm Awards from Asia Business Law Journal (ABLJ), up from 10 categories in 2025. The awards highlight leading law firms in Thailand across a broad range of practice areas, as well as overall firm performance. This year, Tilleke & Gibbins was named a co-winner in the Best Overall Law Firm category as well as in the following practice-specific categories: Artificial Intelligence Aviation Blockchain & Digital Assets Competition & Antitrust Data Compliance & Cyber Security E-Commerce, Digital Trade & Platform Regulation ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Fintech Healthcare & Life Sciences Insurance & Reinsurance IP Litigation IP Prosecution Labour & Employment Private Equity & Venture Capital Shipping & Maritime Technology, Media & Telecommunications The awards are determined through ABLJ’s independent research, which considers recent work, client feedback, and market standing. The annual Thailand Law Firm Awards recognize firms demonstrating strong performance and breadth of expertise across key practice areas. For more details and the full list of winners, please visit the ABLJ website.

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