Agreement on Cooperation Statement towards Commencement of Substantive Patent Examination in Laos

June 16, 2025

On June 11, 2025, Mr. YASUDA, the Deputy Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), visited the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos and, in the presence of Mr. VONGSAY, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Industrial and Commerce of Laos, reached an agreement on a new cooperation statement with the Department of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos (DIP), which is set to commence substantive patent examinations. This cooperation statement includes training cooperation for newly recruited patent examiners at the Lao DIP in preparation for the commencement of substantive patent examinations. The agreement will further deepen the cooperative relationship between Japan and Laos in the field of patent examination.

Additionally, on June 13, a visit was made to the Department of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand (DIP), where discussions were held regarding future Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) initiatives and cooperation in the training of patent examiners at the Thailand DIP.

Signing Ceremony of the Cooperation Statement with Lao DIP
(Left: Mr. YASUDA Futoshi JPO Deputy Commissioner,
Center: Mr. Manothong VONGSAY Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Industrial and Commerce of Laos,
Right: Mr. Xaysomphet Norasingh, Director General of Lao DIP)

Courtesy Visit to Mr. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Laos
(Left: Mr. YASUDA Futoshi JPO Deputy Commissioner,
Right: Mr. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos)

Discussion with Thailand DIP
(Left: Ms. Nusara Kanjanakul, Director General of Thailand DIP,
Right: Mr. YASUDA Futoshi, JPO Deputy Commissioner)

[Last updated 16 June 2025]