On August 15, 2025, Laos’ Immigration Police Department introduced a pilot online arrival registration system for foreign passport holders entering the country. Under the new system, visitors to Laos will be able to register their arrival online up to three days in advance and will be exempt from filling out paper forms at the border. Starting September 1, 2025, online registrations will be accepted at four major international border checkpoints: Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport in Champasak Province, and the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge linking Vientiane and Nong Khai Province in Thailand. Foreign passport holders arriving in Laos from this date onward will be able to complete the online registration via the official website of the Department of Immigration: http://www.immigration.gov.la/. Upon successful registration, travelers will receive a QR code valid for three days, which must be presented to border authorities upon arrival to verify the registration. During the pilot phase, which is expected to run until early 2026, travelers who have not registered online will still have the option to complete a paper form at the checkpoint. After the pilot phase, the online registration system will become mandatory nationwide, and paper forms will no longer be accepted. This initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing Laos’ immigration procedures. Transitioning from traditional paper-based entry forms to a streamlined digital system will greatly enhance efficiency at border checkpoints. The submission of traveler information ahead of arrival is expected to drastically reduce processing times and alleviate congestion at arrival counters, especially during peak travel periods.

Myanmar’s Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) has issued an announcement reinforcing compliance obligations under the Myanmar Companies Law (MCL). This follows recent updates to reporting requirements and signals increased regulatory scrutiny regarding registered office addresses and directors’ residential information submitted online via MyCO, Myanmar’s company registration system. Key Compliance Areas Under the MCL, every company must maintain a registered office for official communication and legal correspondence. Any change to this address must be reported to the DICA registrar. In April 2023, DICA introduced additional reporting obligations for newly incorporated companies. The additional rules require companies to submit their Annual Return accompanied by verification documents within two months of incorporation. These documents include a recommendation letter from the relevant township police station or ward administrator confirming the operational status and physical location of the registered office. Directors’ residential addresses must also be verified through similar documentation, and foreign directors are required to submit the arrival notification form issued by the Immigration Department. For companies operating through a virtual office, clarification from a DICA official indicates that the virtual office address must correspond with the registered address submitted via MyCO. A recommendation letter confirming the validity and operational status of the virtual office must be submitted. Legal Consequences The recent announcement signals that DICA will begin enforcing these requirements in earnest. Failure to comply with the additional reporting obligations may result in inspections and enforcement actions by the DICA registrar, or complaints from third parties. It may also lead to penalties or other legal consequences as prescribed under the MCL. Recommended Actions It is strongly advised that all newly incorporated companies and their directors: Review their MyCO submissions for accuracy. Secure the required supporting documents within the Annual Return deadline. Ensure that all address information reflects the company’s actual and lawful operating premises.

Thailand’s consumer protection authorities have strengthened oversight of residential leasing businesses following numerous complaints about unfair lease terms, including unjustified deposit forfeitures and excessive utility charges. The Contract Committee of Thailand’s Office of the Consumer Protection Board issued the Notification of the Contract Committee Re: The Stipulation of Residential Property Leasing as a Contract-Controlled Business B.E. 2568 (2025), published in the Government Gazette on June 6, 2025. The notification becomes effective on September 4, 2025, and repeals the prior notification issued in 2019. The notification prescribes two types of standard residential lease contracts: short-term residential lease contracts (for leases of not more than three years) and long-term residential lease contracts (for leases of more than three years up to 30 years or for the lessee’s lifetime). However, use of these standard contract forms is not compulsory, and parties may use any form as long as the terms do not contradict the notification’s requirements. Expanded Scope The notification expands the scope of enforcement to include any lessor with at least three residential units, while the 2019 notification applies only to businesses leasing five or more residential units. Hotels and dormitory operators are excluded, as they are regulated under other specific laws. Residential lease contracts entered into under the 2019 notification will remain valid and enforceable until the expiration of the contract. Any residential lease contract executed from September 4, 2025, onward must comply with the new notification. The notification also expressly extends its applicability to lease contracts made through online platforms. Electronically executed lease contracts must comply with the required and prohibited terms specified in the notification as well as applicable laws governing electronic transactions in Thailand. Mandatory Terms and Conditions Residential lease contracts must contain clearly legible Thai text no smaller than two millimeters in size and no more than 11 characters per inch. Contracts must include

ベトナム政府は2025年上半期に、知的財産制度に大きな影響を及ぼす包括的な一連の法改正を実施した。これらの改正は、刑事、民事、行政、司法の各分野にまたがり、その大半が2025年7月1日に施行された。これらの改正は、ベトナムの法基盤の近代化、エンフォースメント・メカニズムの強化、そして国内規制と国際基準の調和を目指す広範な取り組みの一環である。 主要な法改正の概要と、それらがベトナムにおける知的財産の保護およびエンフォースメントに及ぼす潜在的な影響について、以下に説明する。 [1] 刑法(Criminal Code)：より厳しい罰則 2025年改正ベトナム刑法に基づき、模倣品の製造および取引に関する犯罪に対する罰則が大幅に強化された。個人が有罪判決を受けた場合、罰金は2億ドンから20億ドン（約7,700米ドルから77,000米ドル、従来の1億ドンから10億ドン）に引き上げられた。法人の場合はさらに厳しくなり、罰金は20億ドンから400億ドン（約77,000米ドルから154万米ドル、従来の10億ドンから200億ドン）に引き上げられた。これらの罰則強化は、模倣関連犯罪の抑止と消費者の権利保護に向けた政府の取り組み強化を反映している。 [2] 行政違反処罰法(Law on Handling Administrative Violations)：時効の延長と電子手続の適用 知的財産分野における行政違反への対処の時効は引き続き2年である。しかしながら、行政機関から当該違反が指摘された場合、この期間は1年延長される。当該機関による事件の処理に要した時間も、全体の時効期間に含まれる。 さらに、行政違反処罰法は、必要なインフラ、技術システム、情報環境が整備されていることを条件として、電子手続の利用を促進している。具体的には、エンフォースメント機関は、違反者に対し、電子メール、オンラインプラットフォーム、SMSなどのデジタル手段を通じて、決定事項、記録、関連文書を送付することが認められている。これらの技術の導入により、手続の効率が向上し、行政ワークフローが合理化されることが期待される。 [3] 人民裁判所組織法：専門裁判所と管轄権 2025年改正では、省レベルと地方レベルの両方に専門裁判所を設立することが求められ、知的財産権および技術移転紛争を扱う専門部署も設置された。Resolution No.81/2025/UBTVQH15に基づき、ハノイとホーチミン・シティにそれぞれ1つずつ、2つの専門知的財産裁判所が設置された。ハノイ知的財産裁判所は、北部および中部の20の省・市で発生した知的財産紛争の第一審管轄権を有し、ホーチミン・シティ知的財産裁判所は、残りの14の省・市で発生した事件を管轄する。これらの専門知的財産裁判所への控訴は、関連する省級裁判所で審理される。 省級裁判所は、2025年7月1日より前に提起され正式に受理された知的財産紛争について、引き続き第一審管轄権を有する。一方、2025年7月1日より前に地方裁判所で提起され受理された知的財産訴訟は、新たに設立される2つの専門知的財産裁判所のいずれかに移管される。 さらに、最高人民法院判事評議会のResolution No. 01/2025/NQ-HDTPは、係争中の事件の管理に関するガイドラインを示し、裁判所の各階層間の権限を明確にしている。 [4] 監査法(Law on Inspection)：検査官レベルの簡素化 科学技術省、文化・スポーツ・観光省、市・省レベルの科学技術局など、各省庁や部門機関の下でこれまで運営されていた検査機関は正式に解散されました。改正監査法に基づき、検査体制は政府検査機関と省検査機関の2つの中核機関に集約された。しかしながら、2025年7月1日の施行時点では、法の規定を実際のエンフォースメントに反映させ、手続の明確化を図るために不可欠な実施ガイドラインが依然として不足していた。 [5] その他の重要な進展 商標権を侵害する会社の名称：政令第168/2025/ND-CPに基づき、商標権を侵害する会社の名称への対応を迅速化するため、事業登録制度が簡素化された。当局による審査期間は10日からわずか3日に大幅に短縮され、侵害が判明した企業は60日以内に社名変更手続を完了しなければならず、完了しない場合は行政罰が科せられる。この改革により、知的財産権保有者はブランドの不正使用に迅速かつ効果的に対抗できるようになる。 電子商取引プラットフォームへの対策：政令第117/2025/ND-CPに基づく規制では、税務管理の厳格化に加え、電子商取引事業者に対し、完全かつ検証可能な個人識別番号または納税者番号の提供を義務付けている。プラットフォームは、管轄当局の要請に応じてこれらのデータを提供することが義務付けられており、これにより、オンライン上の知的財産権侵害に対する捜査およびエンフォースメントの手続の効率が向上する。 安全でない医薬品の定義と取扱い：保健省の通達第30/2025/TT-BYTは、安全でない医薬品の定義を導入している。これには、模倣、規格外、または出所が疑わしい医薬品に関する新たな規定、安全でない医薬品に関する明確な報告メカニズム、およびそれらの流通に関与する団体の調査と処罰に関する手順が含まれている。 広告法から知的財産権侵害条項を削除：改正広告法では、知的財産権規制に違反する広告に関する規定が廃止された。国会議員の意見により、知的財産権法において既にあらゆる知的財産権侵害行為が禁止されているため、別途規定を設ける必要はないと判断された。 [6] 結言 ベトナムの2025年法改正は、知的財産権のエンフォースメントの近代化に向けた戦略的な飛躍であり、ベトナムにおける知的財産権のエンフォースメント体制の大胆かつ戦略的な再編を象徴するものである。専門知的財産裁判所の導入、より厳格な罰則、デジタル化されたワークフロー、そして合理化された検査プロセスにより、知的財産権の環境はより透明性とアクセス性を高め、強力な抑止力を持つことが期待される。これらの動向は、国際的なベストプラクティスと国際貿易協定に基づく義務に沿って、ベトナムが知的財産権制度を強化するというコミットメントを強調するものである。   本記事に関するご質問などは、Ms. Thuy Thi Ngoc Huynhまでお問合せください。   備考：本和文は英文記事を翻訳したものです。原文については、以下のリンクをご参照ください。 Major Legal Changes Impacting Vietnam’s IP Regime: 2025 Legislative Updates

To implement the recently issued Resolution on International Financial Centers in Vietnam (“IFC Resolution”), which is set to take effect on September 1, 2025 (see our previous article), the government of Vietnam is making every effort to formulate and issue guiding decrees—up to eight in total—before the effective date of the resolution. These decrees will establish key principles, define the rights and obligations of stakeholders, and outline permissible business activities within the IFCs, and serve as a foundation for the legal framework of the IFCs. Below are highlights of two draft decrees that have been released for public consultation. Draft Decree on IFC Establishment Ho Chi Minh City: The IFC in Ho Chi Minh City will focus on capital markets integrated with asset management services, fund management, insurance, financial products and financial derivatives; banking systems and money market products; fintech and financial innovation through sandbox mechanisms; specialized exchanges and new trading platforms; commodity markets, commodity and commodity derivatives exchanges linked to domestic and international physical commodity markets; and regional supply chain services, logistics hubs, maritime transport, and seaport infrastructure. Da Nang: The IFC in Da Nang will mainly develop green finance and commercial finance for SMEs and innovative enterprises, non-resident organizations and individuals (i.e., offshore financial services); cross-border trade activities linked to free trade zones, high-tech zones, new economic zones, and industrial zones; pilot control mechanisms for emerging models, such as digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and digital payments and transfers; new exchanges and trading platforms; investment funds, remittance funds, and small and medium fund management companies; startups in financial solutions for consumer services, tourism, e-commerce, logistics, and services within free trade zones; and related support, advisory, development, and legal services. Incentives: The People’s Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang will need to decide on their list of incentivized sectors and incentive policies. Dedicated

Artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and digital assets are considered critical drivers of Vietnam’s future economic growth and are fundamental to the nation’s digital transformation targets. These sectors form the core of Vietnam’s strategy to build a robust, globally competitive digital economy. This strategic direction gained substantial momentum with the issuance of the Law on Digital Technology Industry (DTI Law) on June 14, 2025. The DTI Law was designed to attract investment, stimulate innovation, cultivate high-quality human resources, and ensure the responsible, secure, and sustainable growth of digital technologies like AI and digital assets, harmonizing Vietnam’s digital industry with international standards while safeguarding public interests and national security. Several key provisions of the DTI Law took effect on July 1, 2025, and the law will become fully effective on January 1, 2026. The government is delegated to provide further necessary guidelines and details for implementation of the law. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Principle-Driven and Risk-Based Regulations Under the DTI Law, there are seven core principles guiding the development, provision, and use of AI which are applicable to AI developers, providers and deployers. These principles favor values-based governance over purely technical prescriptions, and include the following: Taking a human-centered approach that upholds ethical values, inclusivity, flexibility, equality, and non-discrimination. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and explainability, with AI systems remaining under human control. Maintaining cybersecurity and system safety. Adherence to data protection and privacy regulations. Having the ability to control AI algorithms and models. Effective risk management throughout the entire lifecycle of AI systems. Compliance with consumer protection laws and other relevant legal frameworks. AI system management follows a risk-based approach, with the law categorizing systems into high-risk, high-impact, and other groups. High-risk AI systems are those that, in certain applications, may pose significant threats or harm to individuals or the public interest while high-impact systems are designed for multi-purpose use, involving a large user base,

Indonesia’s current regulations on franchises, as stipulated under Government Regulation No. 35/2024 on Franchising and its implementing regulation, Ministry of Trade (MOT) Regulation No. 71/2019 regarding Implementation of Franchising, highlight fundamental changes in franchise registration. These changes have introduced additional complexities and challenges in the franchise registration procedure, making it more difficult for franchise owners to navigate the process. New procedure Franchise applications are still submitted through the Online Single Submission (OSS) portal of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). However, the new procedure requires each applicant, including foreign franchisors, to have an OSS account and a business registration number (NIB) issued by BKPM. An application for franchise registration must be submitted under the applicant’s own account—submissions can no longer be made through the account of a consultant. Once a franchise application is submitted, the authority will distribute the submission to the MOT—the authorized ministry for franchise registration. Any notification or decision upon the registration made by the MOT will be available in the OSS system. Applicants should regularly monitor the status of the franchise application because no notifications will be sent to applicants to alert them of any deficiency. Here is the summary of the new procedure for franchisors: Notable Requirements The disclosure document, or prospectus, is the key focus for the MOT in examining a franchise registration for a franchisor. This document is subject to thorough scrutiny by the MOT to ensure that all mandatory information meets the requirements set in the franchise regulations. The current regulations specifically require that the mandatory clause “business system” in the prospectus cover operational standards and procedures, which should include human resource management, administration, operational management, standard operating methods, business location selection, business premises design, employee requirements, and marketing strategies. Other clauses that are equally important to pay attention to are: Identity of the franchisor: The identity should be in