In 2009, Vietnam will make some key amendments to its IP Law. Some of the amendments are aimed at correcting inconsistencies in the law, while others are designed to bring articles into compliance with Vietnam’s international commitments on IP protection.

This article examines a decision by the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court on the issue of trademark association requirements.

The current global economic crisis has had a considerable effect on Thailand’s real estate market, and house purchasing demand has decreased accordingly. The stagnant housing market will have an impact on many businesses, the main ones being real estate developers, financial institutions, construction companies, and construction material suppliers. To address this issue, on January 20, 2009, the Cabinet passed a resolution which provides tax measures intended to stimulate the Thai economy.

This 34-page guide provides a comprehensive summary of Thailand’s tax laws. The authors provide a full overview of income taxes as they apply to business entities and individuals in Thailand. The guide also provides a review of Value Added Tax, Specific Business Tax, Customs duties, stamp duties, property tax, and other issues.

Under the current period of global economic recession when there is a decline in consumption and therefore a reduction in trade, many businesses are trying to find ways to survive. In Thailand, company management often considers the option of whether to temporarily cease business operations when faced with dire circumstances. This is because an employer, when dealing with a period of reduced purchase orders andor a decline in market consumption for its products, can legally apply this measure to save costs rather than close the business andor terminate employees.

January 2009 was full of events in the intellectual property field in Thailand due to the policies and actions supported by the newly formed government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. This article provides a summary of the recent activities.

This article discusses the appointment of Hon. Mitri Suthepakul, the new Chief Judge, and Hon. Patraporn Jakrangkul and Hon. Sornchai Sirariyakul, the Deputy Chief Judges, at Thailand’s Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.

This article describes a destruction ceremony held on December 17, 2008. As part of the ceremony, more than 1.6 million counterfeit goods were destroyed.