Industrial design registration in Laos

Industrial design has various potentials to register in Laos in several sectors based on cultural advantages, resources, and market demand. Laos has a long tradition of handicrafts with unique products such as silk weaving, wood carving, silverware, ceramics, etc. Most of the related industrial designs are products with high value, high aesthetics and competitiveness in the domestic and international markets. Laos has strengths in agriculture with products such as coffee, rice, nuts, fruits, etc. The development of packaging designs and labels to package the above products also contributes to improving product value, attracting consumers and expanding export markets. Laos has many ethnic groups with diverse and rich traditional costumes. The innovation and design of fashion costumes and accessories based on traditional motifs and materials will create unique products, imbued with Lao cultural identity. Therefore, more and more organizations and individuals want to register industrial designs in Laos, Viet An Law would like to guide customers to preliminarily register industrial designs in Laos through the article below.

Legal Basis

• Decree No. 01/PM of the Prime Minister on Patents, Small Inventions and Industrial Designs

Definition of industrial design in Laos

In Laos, an industrial design is defined as the decorative or aesthetic aspect of an item that includes the following characteristics:

• Two-dimensional characteristics: such as patterns, lines, or colors
• Three-dimensional characteristics: such as the shape or surface of an item

Conditions for industrial design registration in Laos

• New: An industrial design is considered new if it has not been made available to the public anywhere in the world before the filing date or priority date.
• Distinctiveness: An industrial design is considered to be distinctive if the overall impression it makes on the user is different from the overall impression that the user makes on any design that has been made publicly available before the filing date or priority date.

Types of industrial designs that can be registered in Laos

An industrial design that meets the above criteria can be registered, such as:

• Furniture: Chairs, tables, sofas, beds, lamps, etc.
• Equipment: Refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, air conditioners, etc.
• Electronics: Mobile phones, computers, televisions, cameras, etc.
• Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.
• Fashion: Clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, etc.
• Packaging: Bottles, boxes, bags, labels, etc.
• Tools and equipment: Hand tools, power tools, kitchenware, etc.
• Toys and games: Dolls, action models, board games, video games, etc.

Industrial Design Search in Laos

DIP eSearch

This is the official online database of the Lao National Office of Intellectual Property (DIP). Users can search for registered industrial designs using keywords, application number/registration number, applicant/owner name, or Locarno Classification.

ASEAN DesignView

It is a regional database that allows users to search for industrial designs registered in ASEAN member states, including Laos.

DesignView

It is a global database maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that provides access to design data from participating offices worldwide, including Laos.

Dossier of industrial design registration in Laos

• Application Form: The application form includes the following information:
  • Name, address, nationality and contact information of the applicant (and representative, if applicable);
  • Title of industrial design;
  • Specifies the products to which the style will be applied (Product Type).
  • International Classification Code for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification).
• Representative image of the style:
  • Drawings, photographs, or other graphic images of the design.
  • These images need to clearly represent all angles of the style (front, back, side, top, bottom, perspective, etc.).
  • A maximum of 7 images can be submitted.
• Priority documentation (if applicable): If a priority claim is from a previous application filed in another country, the applicant will need to submit a certified copy of the previous application.
• Power of attorney (if applicable): If the applicant files through a representative (e.g., attorney or intellectual property representative), the applicant will need to provide a power of attorney that allows them to act on behalf of the applicant.
• Other documents, if any:
  • Copyright claim (if the applicant is not the creator of the design).
  • The transfer document (if the rights to the design have been transferred).

Process of processing an application for registration of an industrial design in Laos

After filing an application for registration of an industrial design, the Lao National Office of Intellectual Property will process the application according to the following process:

Formal appraisal

DIP will review the application to ensure that it complies with official requirements, such as the completeness of the dossier and the accuracy of the information provided. If there are any shortcomings, the applicant will receive a notice of amendment and supplementation of the application.

Publication and Objection Deadline

After going through the formal appraisal stage, the application will be published in the official gazette. Within three months from the date of publication, any stakeholder can file an objection to the registration of the design.

Content appraisal

If there are no objections or any objections are unsuccessful, DIP will conduct an asset review to determine if the design meets the registration requirements.

Registration and issuance of certificates

If the design is eligible for registration, DIP will register the design and issue a certificate of registration to the applicant. The Industrial Design Certificate is valid for five years from the date of filing and can be renewed for an additional five years at a time.

Fees for industrial design registration in Laos

Application Fee

• For individuals and legal entities: 800,000 LAK
• For small and medium enterprises (SMEs): 400,000 LAK

Fee for issuance of certificate

• For individuals and legal entities: 1,000,000 LAK
• For small and medium enterprises (SMEs): 500,000 LAK

Renewal fee (every 5 years)

• For individuals and legal entities:
  • First Renewal: 1,500,000 LAK
  • Second renewal: 2,000,000 LAK
• For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs):
  • First renewal: 750,000 LAK
  • Second renewal: 1,000,000 LAK

Industrial design registration service in Laos of Viet An Law Firm

• Perform the search and notify customers in writing of the results of industrial design search in Laos;
• Drafting dossiers and directly submitting and monitoring the status of dossiers for industrial design registration in Laos on behalf of the owners;
• Notifying, advising and handling deficiencies/refusals of competent State agencies (if any) in the process of monitoring industrial design applications in Laos;
• Assisting in monitoring and representing objections and responding to intellectual property representatives carrying out procedures in Laos.
• Receive official dispatches, certificates and hand over to customers (if any).

If you wish to file an application for industrial design registration in Laos, please contact Viet An Law Firm – Intellectual Property Representative for the most effective support.