Thailand clears plan to exit US intellectual property watchlist
[BANGKOK] Thailand's Cabinet approved a new framework for enforcement of intellectual property rights as the South-east Asian nation seeks to exit from a US watchlist ahead of tariff talks with Washington.
The so-called Thailand Intellectual Property Work Plan has been prepared in coordination with the office of the US Trade Representative, and its adoption should pave the way for Thailand's removal from the watchlist, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan told reporters after a Cabinet meeting in Bangkok on Tuesday (May 27).
The framework 'is a demonstration of Thailand's determination to solve the problem of intellectual property infringements,' Pichai said, adding the plan will now be shared with the US Trade Representative's office and various Thai agencies to take remedial steps.
Thailand, which has figured in the US watchlist of intellectual property offenders since 2007, worked with the USTR's office to improve the regulatory regime covering trademarks, pharmaceutical patents and copyrights among others, according to a government statement.
The lax intellectual property enforcement is among the non-tariff trade barriers cited by the US after Thailand posted a trade surplus of US$46 billion with Washington last year. The Trump administration in April threatened a 36 per cent tariff on Thai exports, which has since been paused for 90 days.
Pichai said he expects Thailand and US to hold formal tariff talks within the 90-day deadline. A working group of Thai officials has been regularly engaging with US officials in preparation for formal negotiations, he said.
The new framework intellectual property rights calls for amendment to Thailand's Copyright Act to bring it in line with the World Intellectual Property Organization Performances and Phonograms Treaty. That should shield the rights of producers and creators of audio-visual programmes and impose greater civil and financial penalties for offenders.
The changes, to be effective from 2027, will help tackle software and online piracy and rights to fair compensation for titleholders, according to the government.
Under the new work plan, Thailand may also improve its patent rules to tackle the menace of production, distribution and sale of counterfeit pharmaceutical products. BLOOMBERG
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