Thailand Accedes to PCT
On Thursday, September 24, 2009, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) announced that Thailand had completed the necessary documentation to become a contracting state of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The effective date for Thailand's entry is December 24, 2009 (country code: TH). As of this date, any PCT application that is filed will automatically designate Thailand for international preliminary examination, along with the other 141 contracting states of the PCT. Nationals and residents of Thailand will also be able to file PCT applications as of this date.
According to its Department of Intellectual Property website, Thailand has considered entry into the PCT since at least 2007. Thailand's entry follows that of Chile (June 2, 2009) and Peru (June 6, 2009). Commercial interest in Thailand has increased in recent years due, in part, to its allure as a travel destination such that tourism is one of its top industries along with textiles, garments, manufacturing (e.g., computers and other electronics), automobiles, and automotive parts. Thailand, whose population ranks 21st in the world at approximately 65 million, is a prominent exporter of goods and is the number one exporter of rice worldwide.
An applicant of a contracting state (e.g., Thailand, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Germany, Italy) who develops an invention with international marketability may wish to consider filing a PCT application. A PCT application is a cost-effective, streamlined method that allows an applicant to seek patent protection in one or more contracting states without having to initially file individually in each country.
For more information on this issue please contact your COJK attorney.
