The Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (the Hague Agreement) officially took effect in Vietnam on December 30, 2019. Since then the Hague Express Database reports that more than 1,300 international design applications have designated Vietnam, and many of them have been examined by Vietnam’s IP Office before a statement of grant of protection was issued. However, from the time the Hague Agreement took effect until the amended Intellectual Property Law took effect on January 1, 2023, there were no legal documents regulating the process and procedures for examining these applications in Vietnam. This caused some difficulties in the examination process and many applications filed from 2020 to date remain in limbo, with the applicants having submitted responses to refusals, but yet to receive further results on the grant or refusal of protection. The amended IP Law introduced Article 93.9 on the validity of international registrations of industrial designs according to the Hague Agreement. More recently, Decree 65/2023/ND-CP (Decree 65) introduced a new section on the filing and processing of Hague international design applications, with detailed regulations on the handling of Hague applications originating in Vietnam and Hague applications designating Vietnam. These new regulations have generally improved the international application process in Vietnam for both the IP Office and design applicants; however, they have not resolved some existing problems and in some cases have created more burdens for applicants. Submission of priority documents Article 24.8 of Decree 65 requires that within three months from the date of the International Bureau’s notification of the Hague Application designating Vietnam, applicants wishing to benefit from a priority must submit documents proving their priority right to the IP Office for approval. This is a completely new requirement that applies to all international design applications designating Vietnam starting from the effective date of Decree

Myanmar enacted its new Copyright Law on May 24, 2019, to replace the old Copyright Act of 1914. To implement the Copyright Law, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) issued the Copyright Rules under Notification No. 70/2023 dated October 23, 2023, establishing procedures for registration of copyright and related rights. Both the new Copyright Law and the Copyright Rules finally came into force on October 31, 2023, in accordance with State Administration Council (SAC) Notification No. 218/2023. Subsequently, the MOC issued Notification No. 73/2023 on November 20, 2023, specifying the official forms for copyright and related rights matters to be filed with Myanmar’s Intellectual Property Department (IPD). An announcement specifying the government fees under the Copyright Law is still awaited. Once these fees are announced and the IPD opens voluntary registration, the new regime for copyright and related rights in Myanmar is finally expected to be fully functional. Overview The new Copyright Law gives copyright protection for eligible literary and artistic works and for the related rights of performers, phonogram producers, and broadcasting organizations. The law also enables the use of technological protection measures to protect copyright in literary or artistic works or related rights. The unauthorized removal or alteration of digital rights management information is also strictly prohibited. The law supports voluntary registration of copyright in literary and artistic works and related rights with the IPD. In addition, although Myanmar is not yet a contracting party to the Berne Convention (under which countries extend the same copyright protection to nationals and foreigners, regardless of publication in the country), the new Copyright Law extends copyright protection to foreign works created by noncitizens and nonresidents if they are first published in Myanmar or published in Myanmar within 30 days of first publication elsewhere. The Copyright Law grants the following copyright protection terms for the economic rights

On November 13, 2023, the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights held an offline workshop regarding intellectual property (IP).  One of the main discussion topics was the socialization of the proposed amendments to the Industrial Design Law. The proposed amendments to the Industrial Design Law contain a number of important changes, as outlined below. Industrial design definition The definition of an industrial design is clarified and emphasized in the draft law. An object protected through industrial design rights is “the outer appearance of a product,” gives an “aesthetic impression,” can be protected in whole or in part, and may be two- or three-dimensional. Registration system The protection period for industrial designs set by the draft law is 5 years, renewable for up to two additional five-year terms. This differs from the period provided under the current law, which is 10 years from the filing date, nonrenewable. Recordal system The draft law introduces a recordal system particularly for designs that have a relatively short commercial turnaround time, such as textile products. Recorded designs have a protection period of three years from the first publication. The recorded designs can become registered design applications by filing the design through the DGIP’s registration system no later than 12 months from its first publication. Details regarding the recordal system are not yet available. Nonregistrable industrial designs The draft law clarifies that the following are not registrable as industrial designs: Designs that do not give an aesthetic impression; Designs whose features are for purposes of technical functioning only; Folklore or traditional cultural expressions that have not been developed further; Designs contrary to the provisions of laws and regulations, public order, religion, or morality; and Designs filed in bad faith. International design applications The new law introduces a provision regarding design applications that are taken from an international application. However, detailed application requirements are

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has updated its regulations regarding public initial coin offerings (ICOs) that exhibit debt-like or infrastructure-backed characteristics. These new regulations are set to transform the landscape for digital fundraising, ensuring enhanced investor protection and risk mitigation. The introduction of these regulations is a major move toward cultivating a more transparent and secure digital token market in Thailand. It highlights the importance of comprehensive information disclosure and aligning digital-asset fundraising practices with established financial standards. The adjustments require more collaboration between token issuers and ICO portals to comply with the developing regulatory environment. The key features of the new regulations, which took effect on November 16, 2023, are summarized below. Debt-Like ICOs Debt-like digital tokens are digital tokens for which a fixed rate of return is predetermined. The rate does not vary based on the performance of the project or enterprise, but it may be supplemented by extra returns. To ensure that investors have access to adequate and essential information prior to making informed investment decisions, and to evaluate the risk of default by the issuer, the regulation requires disclosure of the project’s creditworthiness and risk assessment factors, as detailed below. Project creditworthiness. Disclosures about project creditworthiness should include information about the credibility assessment of the project, which should be conducted reasonably by an ICO portal or an independent expert. Risk assessment factors. Disclosures should include information about the factors considered in the assessment of risks—particularly the financial capability to repay the investment project’s debt. Infrastructure-Backed ICOs Infrastructure-backed digital tokens are issued for investment in infrastructure assets or to earn a share of the revenue stream from infrastructure projects. The regulations for the ICOs of these infrastructure-backed tokens have been revised to align with those for infrastructure trusts. These regulatory updates cover various aspects: Definition of infrastructure. The revised rules specify the characteristics of underlying assets

New regulatory requirements for medical device registration and notification in Laos are set to enter into force in the coming weeks under the plan found in Notification No. 9606 to implement Decision No. 1470/MOH on Registration and Notification of Medical Devices (Decision 1470). The notification, issued on October 25, 2023, by the Food and Drug Department (FDD) under the Ministry of Health (MOH), outlines the FDD’s strategic plan for phased-in registration and notification requirements for medical devices. In the first phase, starting January 1, 2024, the FDD will initiate the registration process for class C (moderate-high risk) and D (high risk) medical devices. Meanwhile, operators dealing with class A (low risk) and B (low-moderate risk) devices can continue applying for import permits without having to register the devices or notify the FDD. In the subsequent phase, starting January 1, 2025, operators will have to notify the FDD about class A devices and complete the registration process for class B devices. To prepare for these requirements, import-export companies in the pharmaceutical and medical products sector must submit a list of medical devices, including their classification based on the country of manufacture, to the FDD by December 15, 2023. This measure is aimed at enabling the FDD to streamline the collection, guidance, and preparation processes to ensure efficient registration within the set time frame. While import-export companies can still submit their lists after either December 15, 2023, or January 1, 2024 (the registration commencement date), registration may be delayed since the FDD will prioritize those who submit their lists by the December 15 deadline. The list of medical devices should encompass medical devices imported in the past as well as those intended for future import permission applications. During the initial registration stage (i.e., from January 1, 2024), import-export companies that are unable to submit all

Over the past two years, Laos has experienced a sharp depreciation in the value of the kip (LAK) against foreign currencies. To thwart this depreciation and get its currency back on track, the government took a series of measures and issued the Law on Foreign Exchange Management No. 15/NA of July 7, 2022 (the “FX Law”) to improve management of the foreign currency and reiterate restrictions on foreign currency in the country. The amended law also aimed to strengthen foreign exchange liquidity and increase the reserve of foreign currency held in Laos. This year, the prime minister of Laos issued the Order on the Implementation of Foreign Exchange Management, which came into force on July 14, 2023. The order addresses foreign currency use, movement, and possession and clarifies administrative roles regarding the FX Law. This article outlines some of the key points related to the FX Law and the prime minister’s recent order. Use of Foreign Currency Other than a major relaxation regarding remuneration for foreign employees, the amended FX Law retains Laos’ strict regulatory approach to the use of foreign currencies. The general rule is that foreign currency payments for goods, services, debt, dividends, or taxes are prohibited; these payments must be in LAK. The amended law also seems to prevent suggestions that a price in LAK may be adjusted based on another currency. One of the few exceptions to these requirements is for the export of goods and services abroad, in which case it is acceptable to receive payment in foreign currencies. Similarly, the import of goods may allow payment in foreign currency. Announcements or advertisements of the price of goods or services in a foreign currency are likewise prohibited, as is offering a salary in foreign currency when advertising a job in Laos. Similarly, employees’ remuneration, such as salary, wages, bonuses, welfare

生成AIの出現は、イノベーターとクリエイターの状況を一変させた。多くの法律実務家が指摘しているように、AIの開発者および生成AIを使用する者の双方が、この進化する状況をうまく乗り切れるように、知的財産戦略の複雑さを理解することが不可欠である。本記事では、生成AIの領域における開発者とクリエイターの双方にとって、知的財産（IP）の主要な種類に関連するいくつかの重要な考慮事項を説明する。 生成AIの開発者のためのIP戦略 生成AI技術の開発者は、技術革新の状況において極めて重要な役割を果たしている。考慮すべき知的財産関連の課題は、自己の知的財産の保護、他人の知的財産権を侵害するリスクの軽減、知的財産の商業化の3点である。これらの課題の主な態様と、開発者に推奨される手引きを以下に示す。 IPの保護 著作権：AI開発者にとって主要考慮事項の1つは、芸術作品やソースコードなど、AIによって生成された著作物の保護である。幸いなことに、ほとんどの国では、これらの創作物は登録の必要がなく、著作権の保護を受けられる。その結果、著作物は創作された時点から自動的に保護される。しかしながら、所有権を確立するためには、著作物の登録を維持することが重要である。 商標：商標は、ブランドを確立し、保護しようとするAI開発者にとって不可欠である。ニース分類、特にclass 9 (ソフトウェア) 、class 35 (ビジネス管理とオンラインマーケティング) 、class 42 (ソフトウェアの設計および開発) には細心の注意を払う必要がある。これらのclassで商標を登録すると、ブランドと商品を強固に保護できる。 特許：真に革新的なAIアルゴリズム、技術、またはプロセスについては、特許を取得するという選択肢を検討するべきである。特許は強力な保護を提供するが、完全な出願プロセスと、発明が新規性・進歩性を有し、実際に実施可能であることを示す証拠を含む、発明の文書化が必要である。 営業秘密：営業秘密により、学習用データやアルゴリズムなどの貴重な資産を保護する。秘密を保持し、アクセスを制限して秘密性を維持する。秘密保持契約を含む法的契約は、これらの重要な要素を保護する上で非常に重要である。 他人の知的財産権を侵害するリスクの軽減 データ収集：AIモデルを学習するためにデータセットを収集する場合、合法的に取得されたデータを使用すべきである。収集委託されたデータセットや、著作者を特定できない著作物・著作者が不明な著作物には、利用権が付属していることが多く、より安全な選択が必要になる。著作権侵害の問題を回避するために、出所が不明なデータセットを扱う場合は注意すべきである。 データ保護法：AIの学習用データセットには、欧州の一般データ保護規則 (GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation) やタイの個人データ保護法 (PDPA: Personal Data Protection Act) などのデータ保護法の対象となる個人データが含まれている場合がある。これらのような適用されるデータ保護法に従わない場合、個人のプライバシー権が侵害され、法的な影響を受けるリスクがある。 IPの商業化 所有権の問題：特にIPの創作に複数の者が関与している場合、IPの所有権は複雑になる場合がる。将来の紛争や法的な複雑さを回避するために、所有権と潜在的な責任問題を明確にすることに努める必要がある。 ライセンスコンポーネント：知的財産権のライセンスは、商業的に利用するための基本的なツールである。ライセンスは、著作者が独自に創作した要素（コンポーネント）や生成AIの使用によって開発された要素を含む、著作物に対する所有権の範囲も定義する必要がある。AIによって生成された製品を商業化する場合は、所有権を有する、または創作した要素を特定するべきである。自身の知的財産と、オープンソースまたは他者のライセンスされた知的財産を組み込んだ要素を区別することで、自身の利益を保護しながら効果的なライセンス契約を作成しやすくなる。 クリエイターとアーティストのためのIP戦略 生成AIを使用するクリエイターおよびアーティストは、さまざまなIPの課題にも直面している。これらのいくつかは、上記で説明した様々なトピックに関連しているが、特定の懸念事項と推奨されるアプローチは異なる。例えば、クリエイターやアーティストは、IPの商業化や知的財産権の侵害のリスクに関して、各々様々な懸念を持っている。特に、生成AIを使用した二次的作品や共同で創作された発明に関連し、知的財産権の問題も表面化する。 知的財産（IP）の商業化とライセンス ライセンスと販売：生成AIを使用するクリエイターやアーティストは、エンドユーザーに対するライセンス契約を認める場合、ライセンスを付与したり、著作物を販売したりすることができる。これにより、収益化のための手段を提供し、多くのユーザーとクリエイティブな取組みを共有することができる。 知的財産権に対する所有権：生成AIおよびそのプロンプトによって創作されたIPの商業化を検討する場合、その所有権を決定することが必須の必要条件である。生成された作品に対するユーザーの貢献度を考慮する 「額に汗理論（sweat of the brow doctrine）」 のような要因は、所有権に影響を与える可能性がある。作品の創作に使用されるAIツールやプラットフォームの使用条件およびライセンス契約を慎重に確認する必要がある。明示的な所有権の条件がない場合、各管轄地域の法律によって所有権が決定されることがある。 商業上の取り決め：ライセンスやサブスクリプションなどのサービスモデルの種類も、著作権の所有権に影響を与える可能性がある。選択したライセンスモデルまたはサブスクリプションモデルによって所有権が影響を受ける可能性があるため、無料または有料のサブスクリプションにかかわらず、サードパーティのAIソフトウェアを使用して作品を作成する場合は、所有権に対する影響に注意する必要がある。 所有権 二次的作品：生成AIを使用して二次的作品を創作する場合、特に原作品が著作権で保護されているときは、原作品から利用許諾を得る必要がある場合がある。 共同で創作された発明：共同で創作された発明を含む状況や、共同ツールとして生成AIを使用する場合、（例えば、契約による）共同研究者間で所有権および責任を明確に定義することで、紛争を防止し、すべての貢献度が明確になり保護されることを保証できる。 他人の知的財産権を侵害するリスク 信頼できる生成AIの活用：他人の知的財産権を侵害したり、（GDPRなどの）他の法律に違反したりするリスクを軽減するには、データセットやトレーニング済みモデルなど、合法的に調達された素材で生成AIを常に使用することである。 公正利用の理論（fair-use doctrine）の用心：公正利用の要件および例外は、国によって大きく異なることがある。ある国で公正利用に該当するものが、別の国では該当しない可能性があるため、その国の法的状況を理解し、防衛手段としての公正利用に頼ることに注意する必要がある。 結論 生成AIは、イノベーター、開発者、クリエイター、アーティストにとって、エキサイティングな機会および複雑な課題の両方をもたらす。法的な複雑さ、特にIPに関連する複雑さは、このテクノロジーの関連領域で顕著である。そのため、効果的なIP戦略は、創作物を保護し、法的な落とし穴を回避し、イノベーションのメリットを活用するために不可欠である。慎重かつ綿密に練られた法的IP戦略は、クリエイター、イノベーター、およびその組織が、このダイナミックな状況の中で有意義な進歩を遂げるのに役立つ。   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。 Navigating Legitimate Use of IP in Generative AI

Thailand’s Ministry of Industry (MOI) has issued a notification adopting the polluter-pays principle for generators of industrial waste in factories. The Notification of the Ministry of Industry on Management of Waste or Unused Materials B.E. 2566 (2023), enacted under the Factory Act B.E. 2535 (1992), marks a pivotal shift in the responsibilities and liabilities of factory operators as waste generators, which under the new notification no longer end when the waste is collected by a third-party waste processor. The notification, which was first issued in May 31, 2023, took effect on November 1, 2023, after the expiration of a grace period set by the MOI. The new MOI notification extends waste generators’ responsibilities and liabilities for management and disposal of waste from the time the waste is generated until it is properly and completely disposed of. These responsibilities include delivering the waste to the waste processor and overseeing the waste disposal processing, as well as undertaking proper measures in the event of failure by the waste processor, accident, or loss of the waste. Similar to the rules under the previous MOI notification on factory waste, the transport of waste outside the factory premises for disposal still requires permission from the Department of Industrial Works (DIW). However, the permission under the new MOI notification can now be applied for either electronically via its customer registration system (“i-Industry system”) or in person at the DIW. The MOI’s adoption of the polluter-pays principle for industrial waste heralds a significant shift in waste management liability and the costs of pollution prevention to the waste generators, who now need to ensure compliance with the rigorous criteria and compliance procedures outlined in the new MOI notification. For more details on the new rules, or on any aspect of Thailand’s waste management or environmental regulations for industry, please contact Kobkit