On November 9, 2024, the government of Vietnam promulgated Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP on the management, provision, and use of internet services and online information (“Decree 147”). This decree supersedes the previous Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP dated July 15, 2013, on the same topic (“Decree 72”) and its amending regulations, and will take effect on December 25, 2024. Spanning over 200 pages, with an appendix of 62 forms, Decree 147 addresses a wide range of key internet and online topics, including internet services; domain names; cross-border information provision; social network services; aggregated information websites; online game services; app store services; information content services on mobile telecom networks; responsibilities of telecom, internet, web hosting, data center, and telecom application service providers; and measures to handle illegal content. This decree is expected to have a significant impact on both onshore and offshore service providers in the respective fields, and will potentially tighten the regulatory landscape for internet services and online information provision in Vietnam. Some highlights from the new Decree 147 compared to its predecessor are detailed below. Cross-Border Information Provision Offshore service providers, including offshore social network service providers and offshore app store service providers, who provide services on a cross-border basis and either lease data storage in Vietnam or meet a threshold of 100,000 or more total visits per month from Vietnam for six consecutive months must adhere to stricter requirements than other providers. Notable obligations of these regulated cross-border providers include: Notifying the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI) of their contact information. Monitoring and removing illegal content. Storing and managing user data as required. Authenticating social network user accounts using Vietnamese mobile number or ID number. Reporting to the ABEI annually as well as on an ad hoc Handling user complaints. Only cross-border providers who have notified the ABEI of their contact details according to a stipulated form are

In recent years, Thailand has taken significant steps to regulate and integrate digital assets into its financial ecosystem. This article explores the regulatory framework governing digital asset businesses in Thailand, focusing on the key legislation, regulated activities, and recent developments in this rapidly evolving sector. Regulatory Environment In 2018, Thailand enacted the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s approach to cryptocurrencies and digital tokens. This decree, supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Ministry of Finance, provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for both the primary and secondary markets of digital assets. For the primary market, the decree regulates the issuance and sale of digital assets through initial coin offerings (ICOs). A key feature of this regulation is the requirement for ICOs to be conducted through SEC-approved ICO portals. This approach aims to provide a structured and supervised environment for companies seeking to raise funds through digital token sales. In the secondary market, the decree outlines the regulatory framework for various digital asset intermediaries, including digital asset exchanges, brokers, dealers, advisory services, fund managers, and custodians. In implementing its digital asset-related policies, the SEC imposes ongoing obligations on licensed digital asset intermediaries. These include restrictions on the listing of certain digital assets on digital asset exchanges, and limitations on intermediaries facilitating digital assets as a means of payment. Regulatory Trends and Outlook The SEC has demonstrated a commitment to regularly revising its digital asset regulations to keep pace with global trends and market developments. A notable example of this approach is the SEC’s efforts to refine the classification of nonregulated ready-to-use utility tokens by dividing these tokens into two groups: Group 1: Ready-to-use utility tokens issued for consumption purposes or as a digital representation of a certificate (e.g., NFTs with specific rights for holders, carbon credit certificates). Group 2:

Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Committee has publicized a new draft notification detailing additional duties for specific marketplace digital platform service operators under Section 18(2) of the Royal Decree on Operation of Digital Platform Service Businesses Subject to Prior Notification B.E. 2565 (2022). The draft notification, which is open for public comments until November 30, 2024, aims to provide enhanced protection for users of “specific marketplace platforms” (defined below). Some key points of the draft notification are detailed below. Scope The draft notification applies to “marketplace digital platform services,” which refers to digital platform services that serve as an intermediary for buying or exchanging goods and provide services to facilitate sale transactions, such as providing communication systems (e.g., chat features), shopping carts, delivery arrangements, and supplemental payment processing facilitation. “Specific marketplace platforms” refers to Section 18(2) of the Royal Decree on Digital Platform Services, which covers digital platform services that pose risks to financial and commercial security, the reliability and credibility of data messaging systems, or potential harm to the public, and that have a high level of potential impact based on the criteria for assessing the impact of digital platform service operations. Key Obligations Registration. The draft notification requires the marketplace operators mentioned above to be registered as legal entities in Thailand. Terms and conditions. The draft notification details additional obligations relating to marketplace operators’ terms and conditions: In addition to existing obligations prescribed in the Royal Decree and the relevant subordinate laws, the draft notification emphasizes that the terms and conditions must be in Thai, clear, accessible, and understandable, and may include graphical elements to aid explanation. The terms and conditions must prescribe conditions relating to the sale of products subject to specific standards, such as those restricted under the Food Act, the Drugs Act, and the Industrial Product Standards Act. Such conditions include requiring business users

The Vietnamese government has demonstrated a strong commitment to building a digital government, digital economy, and digital society through its recently issued national strategy on digital infrastructure. Under Decision No. 1132/QD-TTg dated October 19, 2024, on “Digital Infrastructure Strategy to 2025 with Orientation to 2030,” the government will create supportive conditions for both domestic and international businesses to invest in digital infrastructure with cybersecurity as a priority. Recognized as vital to the economy, this digital infrastructure will consist of four main components: (i) telecommunications and internet infrastructure, (ii) data infrastructure, (iii) physical-digital infrastructure, and (iv) digital utility infrastructure, including digital technology as a service. Key goals for 2025 include universal fiber optic access for households, 100% 5G coverage across all provinces and cities, deployment of at least two new international undersea fiber optic cables, establishment of AI data centers, development of green-standard data centers, and platforms for IoT, AI, big data, blockchain, and cybersecurity. By 2030, goals include fiber access with speeds of at least 1 Gbps, 5G coverage for 99% of the population, readiness for 6G trials, six additional international undersea fiber optic cables, development of a hyperscale data center, and positioning Vietnam as a digital hub. To achieve these goals, the government has outlined some core tasks, creating significant opportunities for both foreign and domestic investors: Developing telecommunications and internet infrastructure for widespread fiber optic and 5G access, while preparing for emerging technologies like 6G, Open RAN, satellite, and IpV6. Telecommunication enterprises will jointly invest in and share the use of international fiber optic cable routes to ensure efficient capacity utilization and optimize investment capital. Attracting foreign and domestic investment to establish hyperscale data centers and cloud computing services that meet global standards. Creating physical-digital infrastructure by integrating technology across key sectors such as transportation, energy, healthcare, education, agriculture, construction, logistics, and

On October 31, 2024, Thailand’s Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) opened a public consultation period on its draft notifications—one directed at data controllers and another at data processors—regarding exemptions from the requirement to create and maintain records of processing activities (ROPAs) under the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (PDPA). The draft notification for data controllers aims to amend and revoke certain aspects of the first ROPA exemption notification issued in June 2022 and outlines the criteria for data controllers to be exempted from the obligation to prepare and maintain such records. Although it is officially titled “Notification of the Personal Data Protection Committee on Exemption from Record-Keeping Requirements for Small Business Data Controllers,” this draft notification applies to all types of exempted data controllers (see list below), and not only small businesses. The draft notification for data processors is new and does not replace any prior notification. The criteria under both draft notifications exempt certain data controllers and data processors from the obligation to maintain ROPAs, but exempted data controllers are not free from the obligation to retain information on the rejection of data subjects’ requests to exercise certain rights under the PDPA. While these criteria remain consistent with the June 2022 ROPA exemption notification, there are a few key takeaways from the notifications, as detailed below. Types of Exempted Parties The draft notification on data controllers adds condominium and housing estate juristic persons, as well as individuals, to the list of parties eligible for an exemption, while removing internet cafes from the list. The new draft notification for data processors mirrors the corresponding list in the draft notification for data controllers. The complete list of parties eligible for ROPA exemptions under the draft notifications is as follows: SMEs according to the law on SME promotion, defined as follows: Community or social

2024年9月2日，印度尼西亚颁布了新的特许经营法规，即2024年第35号政府条例（“GR 35/2024”）。 此前，印尼的特许经营受2007年第42号政府条例《特许经营条例》（“GR 42/2007”）的规范，以及2019年第71号贸易部条例《特许经营实施条例》（“MOT Regulation 71/2019”）的实施细则的约束。 该新法规废除了《2007年第42号政府条例》。然而，《2019年第71号贸易部长条例》仍然有效，直至有新的贸易法规条例颁布。 新的特许经营法规包含多项修订，并提供了更详细的要求，以补充《2019年第71号贸易部长条例》。   《2024年第35号政府条例》（GR 35/2024）与《2007年第42号政府条例》（GR 42/2007）的比较: 经营年限要求。新法规将申请特许经营注册的最低经营年限从五年缩短至三年。 知识产权状态。根据新法规，任何相关知识产权必须在提交特许经营注册申请之前完成注册。这一要求不同于之前的规定，之前可以在知识产权申请仍在处理中时获得特许经营注册证书（STPW），如果知识产权申请未能注册成功，则STPW会被取消。 外国特许人的注册要求。根据新法规，外国特许人除须提供之前要求的特许经营说明书和相关印尼主管部门的声明函外，还必须提交经过认证或加注认证的原籍国营业执照文件。Top of Form 行政制裁。新法规调整了行政制裁的三阶段升级程序：(1) 两次警告信，(2) 14天的业务活动暂停，(3) STPW（特许经营注册证书）吊销。这与之前法规中的三阶段（即三次警告信、罚款和STPW吊销）有所不同。新法规还扩大了受行政制裁的不合规行为清单。除了之前法规中详细列明的监管义务外，未使用正确的特许经营标识和未提交活动报告等行为现在也将受到这些行政制裁的惩罚。 特许经营组织者类别。新法规将特许经营组织者（即特许经营业务安排的主要当事方）的类别从之前的两类（特许人和被特许人）扩展至八类，包括外国和本地的次级特许人和次级被特许人。 特许经营注册证书（STPW）的有效性。新法规明确了STPW失效的条件，例如协议终止、业务停止、知识产权到期等。此外，不再需要每五年更新一次STPW。在之前的法规中，STPW的有效期为五年，可续期。 尽管有这些变化和更新，印尼特许经营法规的核心结构仍然相似。此外，GR 35/2024中的许多新规定已在前述的《2019年第71号贸易部长条例》中被采纳。   法律影响 《2024年第35号政府条例》（GR 35/2024）简化了一些流程（如不再需要每五年更新STPW），同时收紧了一些要求（如涉及知识产权注册的规定）。该法规还提供了对特许经营组织者的更详细分类，并明确了制裁程序，旨在构建更有条理和全面的监管框架。 这些变更旨在强化监管框架，确保特许经营行业的合规性和稳健性。该新法规反映了政府对推动特许经营行业发展的承诺，而特许经营行业也持续为印尼经济作出重要贡献。   注意：本文为英文文章的中文翻译。原文请参见以下链接。

Indonesia Issues New Franchise Regulation

On October 31, 2024, Myanmar’s Intellectual Property Department (IPD) announced that it would officially start accepting applications for patent and utility model registration under the Patent Law, effective immediately. Contained in IPD Announcement No. 14/2024, this significant development opens new avenues for securing patent and utility model rights in the country. Myanmar’s Patent Law (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No. 7/2019) was enacted on March 11, 2019, providing a framework for the protection of inventions related to products and processes. This is the first legislation specifically addressing the protection of patents in Myanmar’s history. The Patent Law took effect on May 31, 2024, under State Administration Council Notification No. 106/2024. To implement this new framework, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) promulgated the Patent Rules under Notification No. 43/2024 on June 4, 2024, detailing the requirements and procedures for patent- and utility model-related matters. Subsequently, the MOC specified the official forms to be used for filing of patent- and utility model-related matters under Notification No. 54/2024 on July 19, 2024. On October 22, 2024, the Intellectual Property Agency announced the official fees, including annuity fees, for patents and utility models under Notification No. 2/2024. Applicants (both individuals and legal entities) can now file to register new patents and utility models with the IPD electronically, in person (directly or through a local representative), or by post. To be patented, an invention must: Not have been disclosed to the public anywhere by any means before the filing date or priority date (if claimed); Involve an inventive step; and Be capable of use in any industry. As for utility model registration, the requirements are the same, except an inventive step is not necessary. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for innovators and investors looking to protect their inventions in Myanmar. All stakeholders are encouraged to take advantage of the new opportunities for patent and

On September 30, 2024, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) issued Circular No. 06/2024/TT-BKHCN (“Circular 06”), amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 11/2015/TT-BKHCN dated 26 June 2015. These two circulars are the primary guidance on Decree No. 99/2013/ND-CP and Decree No. 46/2024/ND-CP on administrative sanctions in industrial property. Circular 06, which will come into force on November 15, 2024, will improve the alignment between the recently amended IP Law and its subordinate legal instruments. Some of the notable amendments of Circular 06 are set out below. Clarification of Additional Sanctions: Circular 06 clarifies the application of the additional sanction of “full or partial suspension of production, trading, or service activities for 1 to 3 months”, which was recently amended in Decree No. 46/2024/ND-CP. It specifies that only activities directly related to the violating goods or services will be partially suspended. Preventive Measures for Domain Name Disputes: Circular 06 specifies the required documents for brand owners to request the preventive security measure of placing a temporary hold on the registration of domain names during enforcement action against cybersquatters. The introduction of this regime under Circular 06 is expected to enhance cooperation between the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center, domain name registrars, and enforcement authorities to place the temporary hold on infringing domain names. Unfair Competition Relating to Domain Names: Circular 06 outlines specific requirements to prove unfair competition involving the possession and use of Vietnamese domain names that are identical or confusingly similar to another person’s registered trademark, trade name, or geographical indication. However, the regime established by Circular 06 does not fully align with the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) mechanism, a standard procedure for the settlement of domain name disputes that Vietnam is obligated to adhere to under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).