On 13 May 2024, the European Patent Office (EPO) announced that The Lao People’s Democratic Republic have signed a validation agreement, enabling European patents to be validated in Laos.

Once the validation agreement between the EPO and Laos enters into force, it will be possible to obtain patent protection in up to 46 countries via a single European patent application.

What does this mean for you?

• Simplified Access: once the validation agreement has entered into force, the need to file a separate patent application in Laos will be eliminated.
• Cost Effective Protection: it is expected that the process of validating a European patent in Laos will be like that of validating a European patent in Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, Cambodia, and Georgia. Validation fees are typically lower than national patent filing costs, reducing overall expenses.
• Enhanced Legal Certainty: European patents which are validated in Laos will receive the same legal status and protection as national patents.
• Boosted Innovation: This agreement is expected to streamline market access into Laos for European patent applicants, thereby facilitating foreign direct investment, trade, and technology transfer.

The EPO have not yet announced the effective date of this agreement; however, it is noted that the validation will be in force in Laos in the ‘very near future’. The announcement made by the EPO can be found here. We will provide further updates once further information regarding the validation agreement is announced by the EPO.

Seeking Guidance?

Navigating the intricacies of this new validation agreement and its potential benefits for your specific needs can be complex.

Contact Secerna today to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can help you secure and enforce your patent rights in Laos once the validation agreement with the EPO enters into force.