A new mandatory health care scheme will be introduced in Cambodia that will require all employers to implement a state-backed health insurance program for their employees, and eventually their spouses and children, as well as National Social Security Fund (NSSF) members who are currently receiving work-related disability allowance.

The Asean Economic Community (AEC) officially came into force on December 31, 2015, ushering in promises of change that businesses should adequately prepare for. Among these preparations is the resolute need to protect your intellectual property and be aware of any potential pitfalls. In this article, we discuss brand protection in the AEC and other issues important to brand owners.

The 2015/16 edition of Employment and Employee Benefits  gives an overview of employment and employee benefits law in 30 jurisdictions around the world. Nwe Oo, attorney-at-law, and Shalini Ghosh, consultant, in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Yangon office, coauthored the Myanmar chapter of the guide. The chapter provides high-level analyses of the following subjects, among other topics:

Employment and Employee Benefits, published by Practical Law Company, provides a high-level overview of employment and employee benefits law in 30 jurisdictions worldwide.

The Guide to Doing Business in Thailand, published by Tilleke & Gibbins in association with Lex Mundi, provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and business environment for investors entering the Thai market. In particular, it covers topics such as the current political climate, investment incentives, financial facilities, exchange controls, import and export regulations, establishing and operating a business, labor and employment, tax, and immigration requirements. The guide provides an invaluable primer for investors new to Thailand.

One of the most important legal documents in the Vietnamese IP system is Circular No. 01/2007/TT-BKHCN dated February 14, 2007, guiding the implementation of the Law on Intellectual Property (“Circular 01”). Circular 01 sets forth regulations on the examination of patent, design, and trademark applications. The Ministry of Science and Technology intends to update this Circular and has posted its proposed amendments to Circular 01 (“Draft Circular”) for public comments.

In October 2015, the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP) signed its first Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreement with the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) to enable accelerated patent examination. The PPH will be implemented on a trial basis beginning on April 1, 2016. During the test period, the number of requests under the PPH will be limited to 100 per year.

On January 4, 2016, the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce (MOC) launched its online portal for business registration and re-registration with a sleek new website.