JAPAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATIONASAHI SEIMEI OTEMACHI BLDG.18F
6-1 Otemachi 2-chome
Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 100-0004, JAPANTEL: 81 3 5205 3321
FAX: 81 3 5205 3391
URL: http://www.jipa.or.jp/October 17, 2019
Mr. Thosapone Dansuputra
Director General
Department of Intellectual Property
Ministry of Commerce
563 Nonthaburi Road
Bangkrasor Muang
Nonthaburi 11000
ThailandDear Mr. Thosapene Dansuputra,
Re: JIPA Comments on the amendment bill of Thailand Patent Act
We, the Japan Intellectual Property Association “JIPA”, are a private userorganization established in Japan in 1938 for the purpose of promoting
intellectual property protection, with about 980 major Japanese companies asmembers. When appropriate opportunities arise, we offer our opinions on theintellectual property system of other countries and make recommendations formore effective implementation of the systems.
(http://www.jipa.or.jp/english/index.html)
Having learned the amendment bill of Thailand Patent Act on your website, wewould like to offer our opinions as follows.
Your consideration on our opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours,-------------------------(Hiroaki SANO)
Vice President
Japan Intellectual Property Association1

Comments on Draft Revision of the Thai Patent Act
Section 3:
Modification of Definition of "Designs"
We appreciate the introduction of a partial design system that grants aright to a part of a design.
In the world, an increasing number of countries are now introducing sucha partial design system.

About 70% of the design applications in Japan are forthe registration of partial designs, and this shows that many users arerequesting the partial design system.

Therefore, the introduction of the systemis welcome.
Section 7
Multiple Design Application System
Although this draft revision of the Design Act stipulates that one
application shall be limited to a single design, we respectfully request that morethan one design may be included within a single application. We respectfully
request that users can obtain certified copies more conveniently and pay
reduced application fees according to the system.
Section 9
Introduction of Related Design System
The number of variations of shapes of a product is increasing, and thus
introducing a related design system, which can comprehensively protect suchdesigns, is ideal for users. We appreciate the introduction of the related
design system.
Introduction of System of Non-publication of Registration for Certain Period
Release of a product may be delayed for business reasons, and in somecases a registered design may be published before the announcement of theproduct depending on the period of delay.

Therefore, introduction of thesystem of not publishing registered designs for a certain period is what users
need, and we appreciate such a system.
Postponement of Publication of Design Applications2

We appreciate your stipulation of a system of postponement ofpublication.

However, how long the publication can be postponed is unclear,and thus we respectfully request that a definite period be stipulated.
Section 12Term of Protection
A trend in the world including China and Japan is to extend the term ofprotection of designs. Therefore, we appreciate a term of protection of 15years. However, the actual situation is that there are an increasing number of
products for which businesses are trying to penetrate their brands by using
designs of the products continuously for a long time.

Considering this, we, asa user, respectfully request that the protection term be 20 years or longer.
Section 18
International Design Registration under the Hague Agreement
The number of member states of the Hague Agreement is increasing.
This section under this Agreement improves the convenience of users who file adesign application in a large number of countries, and also enables users to filean application in Thailand comprehensively.

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