Regarding new laws, specific working groups were set up to draft the new laws on the protection of layout-designs of integrated circuits, geographical indications, trade secret, and plant varieties. Most of them has already come into effects. The main features of each new law are the following:
I. Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuit Law
The law is on intention to provide protection to creators of layout-designs of integrated circuits in order to help boost the microchip industry in Thailand , and came into force upon Aug 10, 2000.
II. Geographical Indication Law
This law is intended to promote local quality control and give greater value-added to the products. This law was published in Government Gazette dated 31 October 2003 and will come into force in May 2004.
III. Trade Secret Law
The Trade Secret Law will provide the protection for the trade secret proprietor in order to prohibit an infringer. Special court procedures will be set up for trade secret cases. This law is intended to ensure fair practices and competition. This law came into force upon July 22, 2002.
IV. Plant Varieties Law
Thailand is mainly an agricultural country whose population have substantially engaged in cultivation activities. This law will give economic benefits to those who have indigenous varieties. This law came into force on Nov 26, 1999.
V. Intellectual Thai Traditional Medicine Law 1999
The law will provide the protection of Thai traditional medicine text, herb, and area of herb. This law came into force upon May 27, 2000.
New Laws 