Laos' Trademark Law was enacted in 1994 and came into effect in January 1995. Currently, Laos is not a member of the WTO but joined WIPO in 1995 and the Paris Convention in 1998. Laos also acceded to the Madrid Agreement and its Protocol on December 7, 2015.
Trademark Application Principle: First-to-file.
Required Documents for Trademark Registration
- Applicant information (in Chinese and English)
- International classification of goods/services and the designated list of goods/services
- Copy of the company’s business license
- Clear trademark specimen
- Priority document (if priority is claimed)
- Power of Attorney (if applying through an agent)
Trademark Registration Process
- Application Submission: For Madrid applications, a notice of acceptance or registration certificate from the home country is required. After submission, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) will assign an application number and confirm the filing date.
- Formal Examination: If the documents do not meet requirements, the DIP will issue a notice to correct deficiencies within a specified period.
- Substantive Examination
- Publication: After passing substantive examination, the trademark will be published in the official gazette for public review and opposition. During the publication period, any interested party may file an opposition. If an opposition is filed, the DIP will facilitate negotiations or hearings between the parties.
- Registration and Certificate Issuance
Validity Period and Renewal
A trademark in Laos is valid for 10 years from the filing date.
The trademark owner may file a renewal application with the Laos Department of Intellectual Property within 6 months before the expiration date to extend the protection period.
If no renewal application is filed within 6 months before expiration, a renewal application may still be submitted within 6 months after expiration during the grace period, subject to additional fees.