In the last couple of years the U.S., the U.K., and Europe have been considering whether business methods and computer programs can be patentable. A patent typically protects an invention that is new, not obvious, and capable of industrial application. So why is there controversy surrounding business methods and computer programs? A recent U.K. court decision of October 5, 2011, In re Halliburton Energy Services Inc, helps us to understand the current direction of the world’s lawmakers.

As a foreigner in Thailand, you may wish to open a bank account in the country to accommodate your financial needs or investment portfolios. You may therefore wonder whether you can open a bank account in Thailand and what types of accounts are available to you.There are two main types of bank accounts offered to foreigners, depending on their resident status in Thailand: a resident bank account and a non-resident bank account. This article will touch on the main differences between these account types and some other relevant conditions.

The new government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, delivered the Cabinet’s policy to the Parliament on August 23, 2011, including its objectives on policies concerning intellectual property protection.The government announced its intention to promote free and fair competition to prevent monopolies, and also stated that it would seek to promote and develop organizational roles in relation to consumer protection for both the government and private sectors and to amend and improve laws and measures to ensure fair dealing for consumers.

In the complicated business of carriage of goods by sea, multiple parties may be involved in a single shipment of goods, including a freight forwarder, shipping agent, customs agent, ship owner, ship manager, charterer, and more. Identifying the actor that may be held liable for cargo damaged in transit, under Thailand’s Carriage of Goods by Sea Act B.E. 2534 (1991) (COGSA), can be a complicated process, but it is a critical first step in recovering from the proper party.

With the increase in corporate awareness of the importance and value of intellectual property (IP), many companies are looking deep into their businesses to identify areas that could serve as value drivers. The financial service industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in IP registration and IP commercialization across the globe.

In 2011, the number of registered foreign employees in Vietnam exceeded 74,000, which is a staggering number compared with the last three years where the numbers remained at around 55,000. As more companies employ foreign staff to work in Vietnam, management needs to be aware of some core legal issues before sending staff on employment assignments in the country.

Medical devices are part of a rapidly growing business driven by technological achievements and developments, as well as the desire for increased life expectancy and better healthcare. Emerging technologies require new legal regulation so that all combined and borderline products are properly covered. These products are becoming increasingly standardized, which facilitates their worldwide distribution and use.

In Arcor S.A.I.C. v. Department of Intellectual Property (Arcor), the Thai Supreme (Dika) Court affirmed the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court (IP&IT Court)’s ruling and withdrew the earlier decisions of the Trademark Registrar and the Board of Trademarks.