Services
IP Commercialisation and Transactions in Thailand
IP licensing in Thailand, from licence and assignment agreements to technology transfer, due diligence and recordals.
Overview
Putting intellectual property to commercial use
Intellectual property creates value when it is licensed, transferred or relied on in a transaction. In Thailand, the value of these arrangements often depends on formal requirements, including written agreements and recordal with the Department of Intellectual Property.
We advise brand owners, technology companies, investors and overseas counsel on IP licensing in Thailand and on intellectual property in transactions. Clients typically instruct us when they are:
- Licensing a brand to a Thai partner
- Licensing technology to a manufacturer
- Transferring IP after a restructuring
- Investing in or acquiring a business
- Recording a licence or assignment
- Resolving a brand conflict by agreement
What we do
Our commercialisation services
Licence agreements
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating licences for trademarks, patents, design patents, copyright and know-how.
Assignments
Transfers of intellectual property on sales, restructurings and group reorganisations, with the documents needed for recordal.
Technology transfer
Agreements for licensing technology, sharing know-how and allocating ownership of improvements between partners.
IP due diligence
Review of ownership, validity, licences, encumbrances and disputes affecting intellectual property in transactions.
Recordals
Recording licences, assignments, name changes and changes of ownership with the Department of Intellectual Property.
Coexistence and settlement
Coexistence, consent and settlement agreements that resolve conflicts between competing brands without costly litigation.
Local practice
What to know about IP transactions in Thailand
Formal requirements that often decide whether a licence or transfer is effective.
Trademark licences must be recorded
A trademark licence agreement must be submitted to the Registrar for recordal. An unrecorded licence may not be valid under Thai law.
Transfers must be in writing and registered
Assignments of trademarks, patents and design patents must be made in writing and registered with the Department of Intellectual Property.
Limits on patent licence terms
Patent licences must not impose conditions that unfairly restrict competition, and royalties should not extend beyond the life of the patent.
Chain of title matters
Gaps in recorded ownership, such as unrecorded assignments or name changes, can delay transactions and weaken enforcement.
FAQs
IP licensing in Thailand: common questions
Does a trademark licence need to be registered in Thailand?
Yes. A trademark licence agreement must be submitted to the Registrar for recordal. Recording the licence protects both parties and supports the licensee’s use of the mark.
How is ownership of a trademark or patent transferred in Thailand?
The assignment must be made in writing and registered with the Department of Intellectual Property. Until it is recorded, the change of ownership may not be effective against third parties, and the new owner may face difficulties enforcing the right.
What does IP due diligence cover?
IP due diligence typically confirms who owns the rights, whether registrations are valid and in force, what licences and security interests affect them, whether renewals and fees are up to date, and whether there are any disputes or infringement risks.
Are there restrictions on patent licence terms?
Yes. A patent licence must not include conditions or restrictions that unfairly limit competition, and royalties should not be charged for use after the patent has expired. Licence terms should be reviewed against these rules before signing.
Does a copyright licence need to be registered?
No. Copyright licences do not need to be registered, although a written agreement is strongly recommended. An assignment of copyright must be made in writing.
Related services
The rights behind a transaction
Trademarks
Registration and portfolio management for the brands being licensed or transferred.
Patents and Petty Patents
Securing and maintaining the patents that underpin technology licences.
Trade Secrets
Protecting know-how and confidential information shared under agreements.
Contact the firm
Discuss your IP transaction
Contact us about a licence, an assignment, technology transfer or intellectual property due diligence in Thailand.