With a total population of approximately 600 million, the combined economy of the 10 nations comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ranks as the ninth largest in the world. To transform ASEAN into a single market and production base that is highly competitive and fully integrated into the global economy, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is set to be realized on December 31, 2015. Most ASEAN countries must comply with the AEC Blueprint, which sets out guidelines for ASEAN to achieve its goal of becoming a single market by 2015.

No one in their right mind would buy counterfeit medicines, chemicals, or car parts, yet there is a dark trade in these dangerous items in Asia—and it is on the increase. A recent case in March, as reported by the Bangkok Post, is a clear example of what must be tackled: “Thailand’s food chain and livestock industry faces a risk from imports of counterfeit glutaraldehyde, an organic compound used in disinfecting poultry and swine facilities” where up to 50% of the products found were fake.

Vietnam is considered to be an attractive market for online gaming in Asia. With more than 13 million gamers, Vietnam is becoming a popular destination for investors in the online gaming industry. For gaming clients (games installed on computers and played on online) only, the expected market value for 2012 is VND 5.6 trillion (approximately US$269 million).

This article first appeared on WTR Daily, part of World Trademark Review, in February 2013. For further information, please go to www.worldtrademarkreview.com.

Published by Multilaw in association with Thomson Reuters, Media, Advertising, and Entertainment Law Throughout the World introduces international readers to the laws governing media, advertising, entertainment, and art in 45 countries, including Vietnam. The Vietnam chapter in the 2013 edition outlines the following issues:

Updated for 2013, the Thailand chapter of Media, Advertising, and Entertainment Law Throughout the World provides a broad overview of media, advertising, and entertainment law in the Kingdom, including an introductory discussion of art law. In the section on media law, the text sets forth the statutory and regulatory framework for publishing, broadcasting, and online services. It also reviews Thailand’s particularly strict defamation laws, invasion of privacy, and right of publicity.

When importers bring products into Thailand, the goods need to pass through customs formalities, during which officials will inspect the products to assess duties. Duties are determined based on the real market value of the product and all related taxes. This means that the amount of duty can vary in different circumstances, resulting in some importers disagreeing with the amount assessed.

Vietnam’s Labor Code forms the fundamental basis for employment law in Vietnam. The Labor Code was initially introduced in 1994 and was amended several times before being entirely replaced by the new Labor Code, adopted by the National Assembly of Vietnam on June 18, 2012, which shall take effect from May 1, 2013.This chapter, published in the fourth edition of The Employment Law Review, begins with an overview of some of the key changes introduced in the new Labor Code. It then provides a broad overview of the following issues: