Laos to become sixth country in Europe to take effect

Laos to become sixth country in Europe to take effect

Recently, a delegation from the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce, led by Ms. Chansouk Sengphachanh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce of Laos, signed a landmark agreement with the EPO for entry into force in Europe. The agreement is an important milestone in strengthening intellectual property rights in Laos, promoting innovation and boosting economic growth. Once in force, the agreement will simplify the process for European patent applicants to enter the Lao market, thereby promoting foreign direct investment, trade and technology transfer. The agreement will also pave the way for Lao companies, research institutions and inventors to work more closely with users of the European patent system around the world.

Laos also becomes the EPO's second partner in Southeast Asia and the sixth country to sign a European validation agreement with the EPO after Morocco, Tunisia, Moldova, Cambodia and Georgia.

The European validation agreement is based on a single European patent application, without the need to file corresponding national patent applications. The EPO considers the European validation agreement as the preferred and most advanced form of cooperation with non-member states of the European Patent Convention (EPC). The European validation procedure has several advantages: national resources that would otherwise be used for searching and examining secondary applications can be invested in promoting national applications, raising awareness and building capacity. This will contribute to the overall development and improvement of the country's patent system and make the market of the validation country more attractive to investors.