The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, Kanitha Kungsawanich, Shared Priorities on Intellectual Property Right Protection

On July 26, 2022, the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM Thailand), led by the Legal Committee, hosted a virtual membership meeting between Kanitha Kungsawanich, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), and AMCHAM members.

AMCHAM Legal Committee Co-Chair , Christopher Knight of Everett Knight, started the meeting by welcoming the Deputy Director-General and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to learn about priorities on Intellectual Property (IP). He further emphasized the importance of the meeting in celebrating IP development since the first US Patent law was issued in July 1790, and in creating IP awareness and fruitful discussions to strengthen collaboration between the department and AMCHAM members.

During the meeting, the Deputy Director-General provided insights on the policy landscape and outlook of IP protection from a 20-year IP roadmap with an objective to contribute to Thailand 4.0 and foster an IP ecosystem with international standards. She presented the recent initiatives to promote the IP ecosystem, including the establishment of trademark fast track and target patent fast track to speed up IP registration processes, the amendment of the Copyright Act to promote mechanisms to protect copyright in the digital environment and prepare for accession to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), and the amendment of the Patent Act to include research and innovation. To enhance IP related services, the department introduced Smart DIP for online IP registration and IP Advisory Center (IPAC) for IP consultations. Additionally, the Deputy Director-General shared an update on Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Protection of IPRs on the Internet and MOU on Online Advertising and IPR. Interested members are welcome to be the MOU signatories to protect IPR on online platforms.

In his closing remarks, Christopher Knight delivered AMCHAM’s sincerest appreciation for the Deputy Director-General’s consideration to meet with AMCHAM members and provide comprehensive and insightful information on IP. In particular, AMCHAM applauded the department’s policies to protect digital creations and innovations, which are beneficial to both existing and potential investors to Thailand. AMCHAM and its members stand ready to offer assistance and collaboration to advance IP ecosystem to achieve the shared goal of enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the digital, technology, and creative economy sectors.

About AMCHAM 

The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. With over 2,600 members representing over 600 American, Thai, and other international companies, AMCHAM is the leading international business association in Thailand. Member companies have cumulatively invested over 50 billion US dollars in Thailand and provide more than 200,000 local jobs.

If you would like to learn more about AMCHAM, please visit: www.amthamthailand.com or contact Varsha Wadhwani, AMCHAM Communications Officer, at e-mail varsha@amchamthailand.com.