Services
Trademarks and Brand Protection in Thailand
Trademark registration in Thailand, from clearance searches and filing to oppositions, renewals and long-term portfolio management.
Overview
Securing and keeping your brand rights in Thailand
A registered trademark gives its owner the exclusive right to use the mark for the registered goods and services, and is the basis for acting against copies and counterfeits. Because Thailand follows a first-to-file system, registering early is often the most effective protection a brand can have.
We act for overseas counsel, multinational brand owners and Thai businesses on trademark registration in Thailand and on every later stage of a mark’s life. Clients typically instruct us when they are:
- Registering a brand in Thailand
- Responding to an office action
- Opposing a conflicting application
- Defending an opposition or cancellation
- Renewing or transferring registrations
- Managing a regional portfolio
What we do
Our trademark services
Clearance searches
Searches of the Thai trademark register and advice on registrability and conflict risks before you file or launch a brand.
Filing and prosecution
Preparation of trademark applications acceptable to the Department of Intellectual Property, and handling of the application through to registration.
Office actions and appeals
Responses to objections on specifications, disclaimers, distinctiveness and similarity, and appeals against refusals.
Oppositions and cancellations
Filing and defending oppositions against published applications, and cancellation actions against registrations.
Renewals and recordals
Renewal of registrations and recordal of assignments, licences, and changes of name or address, keeping the register accurate.
Portfolio and watch services
Management of multi-mark portfolios, monitoring of new applications for conflicting marks, and advice on brand protection strategy.
Process
The trademark registration process in Thailand
The main stages of a Thai trademark application. Office actions, oppositions and appeals can add further steps.
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Search
We search the register and advise on registrability, conflicts and the goods and services to cover.
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Filing
The application is prepared and filed with the Department of Intellectual Property.
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Examination
The Registrar examines the trademark application, and may issue an office action.
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Publication and opposition
Accepted applications are published, and third parties may file an opposition within 60 days.
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Registration
If no opposition succeeds, the registration fee is paid and the trademark certificate is issued.
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Renewal
Registration lasts ten years from the filing date and can be renewed for further ten-year periods.
Local practice
What to know about Thai trademark practice
Points that often affect strategy, timing and cost for brand owners filing in Thailand.
First-to-file system
Rights generally belong to the first applicant, so early filing matters. Remedies against bad-faith registrations exist, but they are slower and less certain.
Specific goods and services
Broad terms and class headings are often not accepted. Specifications should list specific goods and services in wording the Registrar will accept.
Transliteration and translation
Marks in non-Thai characters require a Thai transliteration of pronunciation and a translation of any meaning, which can affect examination.
Power of attorney
Foreign applicants must act through a Thai agent under a notarised power of attorney.
Beyond national filings
Madrid designations and regional protection
Madrid Protocol
Provisional refusals in Thailand
International registrations designating Thailand are examined in the same way as national applications. We respond to provisional refusals and handle any follow-up with the Trademark Office.
CLMVT
Regional filings across CLMVT
For brands expanding across the region, we coordinate searches, filings and renewals with trusted local associates, reporting through a single point of contact in Bangkok.
FAQs
Trademark registration in Thailand: common questions
How long does trademark registration in Thailand take?
Timing depends on the Department of Intellectual Property’s workload and whether objections arise. An application without office actions or oppositions will generally take around 12 to 14 months to register; office actions, oppositions and appeals extend the timeline.
How long does a Thai trademark registration last?
A registration lasts ten years from the filing date and may be renewed for further ten-year periods. Renewal can be filed within 90 days before expiry, and a six-month grace period after expiry is available with a surcharge.
Can one application cover several classes?
Yes. Thailand accepts multi-class applications. Official fees are calculated by class and by the number of goods or services listed, so the specification also affects cost.
Can I protect my trademark in Thailand through the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. Thailand is a member of the Madrid Protocol, so an international registration can designate Thailand. If the Department of Intellectual Property issues a provisional refusal, a response must be filed locally.
What can I do if someone has already registered my mark in Thailand?
Options depend on the facts. A published application can be opposed, and an existing registration may be challenged through cancellation proceedings, for example on grounds of bad faith, prior rights or non-use. We assess the evidence and advise on the most effective route.
Related services
When brand protection goes further
Anti-Counterfeiting
Investigations and enforcement action when registered marks are copied or counterfeited.
Dispute Resolution
Representation when a trademark dispute proceeds to court or contested proceedings.
Commercialisation
Licence and assignment agreements, and trademark due diligence in transactions.
Contact the firm
Discuss your trademark matter
Contact us about a new filing, an office action, an opposition or the management of your trademark portfolio in Thailand.