KASS | IP Experts

Intellectual Property

Thailand Trademark Office Releases 2020 Trademark Statistics

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By Saowanee Leewijitsin 

It has been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, affecting all aspects of global businesses, and stopping us from doing so many things that we usually do. It seems, however, that filing trademarks in Thailand is not one of those things. The Thailand Trademark Office (“TTMO”) recently released statistics for 2020 relating to trademark applications and registrations via both the national route and the Madrid route. Although the number of fillings dropped compared to 2019, based on the following statistics, you would not be able to guess there was a huge global pandemic hitting us at all.

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Gloves, Musang King Durians and IP Rights

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By P. Kandiah

“TOP GLOVE’S R&D arm ranks second highest among Malaysian patent applicants in 2020” ran the headline across major Malaysian newspapers in mid-February.

The other top four Malaysian patent applicants are MIMOS Bhd., Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, University of Malaya and Petroliam National Bhd.  (PETRONAS). Are we beginning to see an emerging trend of industry-based R&D compared to university-based research as reflected by the number of patent applications filed in Malaysia?

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World-Changing Women Wonders

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By Sharrmila Palanyandy

The field of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is often male-dominated and studies show that women remain underrepresented in this field.

But despite the lack of recognition in the scientific community and challenges faced due to the gender gap, there are countless inspiring women in these fields who have made historic contributions to science. Many were not recognized in their lifetimes but their accomplishments have been an encouragement for future female scientists.

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Court Decision On The Back Of A Levi’s Jeans Pocket!

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By Saowanee Leewijitsin 

One of the most important principles for trademark registration in Thailand and in many other countries such as China, Taiwan and Japan is, the mark must not be identical with or similar to other registered marks (according to the “first-to-file” rule). If your mark is identical with or similar to another person’s registered mark and could confuse or mislead the public as to the owner or origin of the goods, that mark will not be able to be registered in Thailand. Generally speaking, it cannot be protected according to Thai Trademark Law.

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Strange But Unique Inventions

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By Sry Farhany

Who would have thought that in 2021, wearing a mask would actually be a part of everyday life? A new norm that some people are still having trouble adjusting to. If someone wore a mask for 12 hours back in 2010, people would say he was peculiar. Little did we know that just because we find it strange, it doesn’t mean it is wrong. No, no, no. It simply means he is unique in his own way or perhaps even ahead of his time. Just like the following inventions – strange but unique and serves a purpose, for sure!

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Are Cover Songs An Act Of Infringement?

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By Jamieson McKinnon

Cover songs have always been a major part of music culture, with both famous and amateur singers across the world regularly adapting other artists work, and adding a new flavour to it. Over the years, there have been many extremely popular cover songs that have become so closely associated with the singer perform-ing them, that most people are unaware it is not their original work. Whitney Houston’s rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”, The Beatles take on “Twist and Shout”, and Elvis Presley’s famous cover of blues singer Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog” are all prime examples of this.

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MooHoo – It’s the Lunar New Year!!

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By Edmond Albert Chan

This Lunar New Year welcomes the year of the Ox.

Every year this time (barring COVID-19 restrictions), there will be lively celebrations, the giving of red packets and gift, and the visiting of family and friends amongst Chinese communities around the world. This year, we can expect to see many variations of the ox, bull, cow or even buffalo used interchangeably on red packet designs.

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Voila! A Chic Hijab!

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By Hemanisha Baskaran

CHIC?? VOILA?? What do these two words have to do with a hijab? Well, in this case – plenty! In fact, “CHIC” and “VOILA” are the wrap styles under the well-known Bokitta Hijab.

In 2019, the Kuala Lumpur High Court dealt with a patent infringement case involving the infringement of an instant hijab under the Patents Act 1983. It was the case of Mohammad Mubde Absi & Ors vs Hyat Collections Sdn Bhd & Ors.

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Are You Taking Advantage of RCEP Provisions?

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By P. Kandiah

Businesses have started to multiply their corporate assets in the ASEAN countries by taking advantage of RCEP provisions.

The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has injected new momentum for businesses to multiply their corporate asset value in the RCEP countries (Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam). What is the RCEP? Well, simply put – it is a large free-trade zone.

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Holly Jolly Christmas Inventions

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By Nur Anis

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! This is just one of the songs that we can’t get out of our heads during the month of December, when many around the world celebrate the merry festival of Christmas. There is a lot about Christmas that brings joy, like Santa Claus, receiving gifts, Christmas fruitcake, gingerbread houses, long holidays, shopping, festive discounts and of course spending time with our loved ones. But did you know that there are some very interesting inventions related to Christmas? Let’s take a look!

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