With the arrival of the new year, many SMEs are planning to start new business endeavors in the lucrative markets of South-East Asia. However, with all this new year’s enthusiasm, it is very easy to forget that counterfeiting and other IP violations are still commonplace in South-East Asia. Thus, it is very important to have a robust IP strategy in place when entering the promising markets of South-East Asia. In today’s blog post, we are, therefore, taking a closer look at trade mark protection in South-East Asia, focusing on trade mark registration, protection and enforcement. 

Generally speaking, a trade mark is a sign which serves on the market to distinguish the goods and services of one undertaking from others, and over which the owner has an exclusive right. Trade marks are words, logos, devices or other distinctive features which can be represented graphically. In some South-East Asia countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, they may also consist of the shape of goods or their packaging in three-dimensional form. As of now, Singapore is the only South-East Asian country to recognize trade marks based on sound.

Trade marks are an essential part of the identity of goods and services. They help deliver brand recognition, i.e. they distinguish your company from the competition. They also help to build trust, reputation and goodwill for your company as well as play an important role in marketing and advertising. A trade mark can become an important asset with significant monetary value for a company and should, thus, be protected. Continue reading “How to Protect your Trade Mark in South-East Asia” »