《老挝的知识产权注册保护 (2017)》

IP Rights

知识产权

What is intellectual property?

什么是知识产权？

Intellectual Property involves “creations of the mind,” according to the World Intellectual Property Organization. Examples of intellectual property include inventions, books, works of art, designs, symbols, and more. As businesses and technologies advance, new types of intellectual property are being recognized, such as geographical indications, sound trademarks, three-dimensional trademarks, and holograms.

根据世界知识产权组织，知识产权涉及“智慧创作物”。知识产权涉及发明、书籍、艺术品、设计、符号等等。随着商业和技术的进步，新型知识产权正得到认可，如地理标志、声音商标、立体商标、全息图等。

Intellectual assets, as much as physical assets, hold the potential to generate profits for your business, as well as the risk of being stolen or unlawfully used by others. The full protection of your intellectual property rights is therefore an essential step to legally ensure that you can maximize the value of your IP.

知识资产与实物资产一样，都有可能为企业带来利润，也有被他人剽窃或被非法使用的风险。因此，充分保护知识产权是从法律上确保最大限度地实现知识产权价值的必要步骤。

This handbook is intended to provide you with a brief introduction to IP registration and commercialization in the Lao P.D.R. (Laos).

本手册旨在简要介绍知识产权在老挝人民民主共和国（老挝）的注册和商业化。

What are the main types of IP that can be protected in Laos?

老挝可以保护的主要知识产权类型有哪些？

The Law on Intellectual Property in Laos provides protection for:

老挝的知识产权法保护：

u Trademarks and trade names

u 商标和商号

u Geographical indications

u 地理标志

u Patents and petty patents

u 专利和小专利

u Industrial designs

u 工业品外观设计

u Copyrights and related rights

u 版权和邻接权

u Trade secrets

u 商业秘密

u Layout designs of integrated circuits

u 集成电路布图设计

u Plant varieties

u 植物品种

In the following pages, we will review the key legal requirements related to trademarks, patents, petty patents (utility model), industrial designs, copyrights, and trade secrets, and we will summarize how you can enforce your IP rights in Laos.

下文将审查与商标、专利、小专利（实用新型）、工业设计、版权和商业秘密相关的关键法律要求，并总结如何在老挝执行知识产权。

Definition

定义

What is a trademark?

什么是商标？

A trademark is a mark that is used on, or in connection with, goods or services for the purpose of indicating that they are the goods or services of the proprietor of the trademark, and that they are different from the goods or services bearing the trademarks of others. Trademarks help consumers to answer questions such as “who makes this product?” and “who provides this service?”

商标是指在商品或服务上使用或与商品或服务相关的商标，用以表明商品或服务属于商标所有者，并且与带有他人商标的商品或服务不同。商标可以帮助消费者回答诸如“谁制造这种产品？”和“谁提供这种服务？”的问题

A trademark may include words (including personal names), letters, numerals, figurative elements, and combinations of colors, as well as or any combination of these items.

商标可以包括单词（包括个人名称）、字母、数字、图形要素和配色，以及这些要素的任何组合。

Protection

保护

Do I need to register my trademark?

是否需要注册自己的商标？

Trademark registration is not mandatory. But if you want to obtain the exclusive right to use/exploit your mark and to prevent your competitors from using it, you must register your rights to the trademark with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property.

商标注册并非强制性的。但是，如果想获得使用/利用商标专有权，并防止竞争对手使用，则必须向老挝知识产权局注册商标权。

At the international level, Laos acceded to the Madrid Protocol in December 2015, and the protocol entered into force in the country in March 2016. In pursuing a trademark registration under the Madrid Protocol, you may select the countries where you want your trademark to be protected, and the Lao Department of Intellectual Property will apply for registration of your mark, on your behalf, directly with the trademark office of each foreign country you designate.

在国际层面，老挝于2015年12月加入了《马德里议定书》，该议定书于2016年3月在该国生效。根据《马德里议定书》进行商标注册时，可以选择希望商标受到保护的国家，老挝知识产权局将直接向指定的外国商标局申请商标注册。

Lao IP law also recognizes the rights of owners of unregistered trademarks. If you own an unregistered trademark, you will be entitled to take legal action against acts of unfair competition or against anyone who has passed off their goods as being yours, although it is much easier to initiate enforcement measures for a registered trademark. Moreover, well-known marks in a particular sector may be recognized on a case-by-case basis and may well be protected in Laos.

老挝知识产权法也承认未注册商标权人的权利。如果拥有未注册商标，商标权人有权对不正当竞争行为或任何商品冒充之人采取法律行动，尽管如此，对注册商标采取强制措施要容易得多。此外，特定行业的驰名商标可能会根据具体情况得到认可，并且在老挝也可能受到保护。

What types of marks can be registered?

可以注册哪些类型的商标？

Your trademark will be eligible for registration if it meets the following criteria:

如果商标符合以下标准，则商标权人有资格进行注册：

u Your trademark is composed of a sign, or is a combination of several signs, which enable people to distinguish your goods and services from those of another;

u 商标由一个标志组成，或是几个标志的组合，这些标志使人们能够将商品和服务与其他商品和服务区分开来；

u Your trademark is not identical to a previously registered trademark, a well-known trademark, or a geographical indication for the same goods or services;

u 商标与相同商品或服务的先前已注册商标、驰名商标或地理标志不完全相同；

u Your trademark is not similar to a previously registered or well-known trademark for the same and/or similar and/or related goods and services, which may cause misunderstanding about the origins of the goods or services, or mislead the consuming public into believing that such goods or services are connected or associated with another party; and

u 商标与相同和/或类似和/或相关商品和服务的先前已注册或驰名商标不相类似，这可能会导致公众对商品或服务来源产生误解，或误导消费者，使其相信此类商品或服务与另一方相连或相关；

u Your mark must not be forbidden under Lao IP law. For example, a mark that consists of the name or image of a national hero, national emblems, or abbreviations or full names of towns, municipalities, provinces, or the capital of Laos or foreign countries are not eligible for registration.

u 根据老挝知识产权法，不得禁止商标。例如，由民族英雄、国徽的名称或形象，或城镇、市政、省份或老挝或外国首都的缩写或全名组成的商标没有资格进行注册。

How long does registration take?

注册需要多长时间？

For a straightforward case, a Certificate of Trademark Registration is usually granted within 12-18 months from the date when you submit your application.

对于简单的情况，商标注册证书通常会在提交申请之日起12-18个月内颁发。

How long will my trademark registration last?

商标注册会持续多长时间？

Your trademark registration is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of registration (or from the priority date, if any). The registered mark may be renewed every 10 years with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property, and there is no limit to the number of times you can renew your mark.

商标注册的有效期自注册日期（或自优先权日，如有）起为10年。注册商标可以在老挝知识产权局每10年续展一次，并且商标的续展次数没有限制。

Your renewal application must be submitted within 12 months prior to the expiration date.

续展申请必须在到期日前12个月内提交。

Will my mark be cancelled if I don’t use it in Laos?

如果不在老挝使用商标，是否会撤销商标？

According to Lao IP law, any third party may file a request with the Department of Intellectual Property to cancel the registration of your trademark. To do so, the request must be supported by evidence proving that:

根据老挝知识产权法，任何第三方均可以向知识产权局提出商标注册的撤销请求。为此，该请求必须有证据证明：

u Your trademark has not been used for at least five consecutive years; or

u 已至少连续五年未使用该商标；或

u You have not genuinely used your trademark and/or the trademark has not been used in good faith.

u 未真正使用该商标和/或未善意使用该商标。

If a third party requests cancellation of your trademark, you will be entitled to justify your non-use of the trademark.

如果第三方请求撤销商标，商标权人将有权对未使用的商标作出解释。

Can my trademark be licensed in Laos?

商标是否可以在老挝获得许可？

You may grant another individual or entity a license to exploit all or part of your trademark rights. A trademark license agreement must be made in writing and registered with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property to be enforceable against a third party.

商标权人可以向其他个人或实体授予全部或部分商标权的利用许可。商标许可协议必须以书面形式签订，并在老挝知识产权局进行注册，才能对第三方强制执行。

Are well-known marks protected in Laos?

驰名商标是否在老挝受到保护吗？

According to Lao IP law, a well-known mark is a mark widely recognized by its relevant sector within Laos.

根据老挝知识产权法，驰名商标是老挝境内相关行业广泛认可的商标。

Lao IP law prohibits registration of a trademark that is identical and/or similar to a well-known mark. In addition, if you own an unregistered well-known trademark, you are subject to the same regime as that for registered trademarks, and therefore you are entitled to prevent any third party from using similar marks.

老挝知识产权法禁止注册与驰名商标完全相同和/或相似的商标。此外，如果商标权人拥有未注册的驰名商标，则将受到与注册商标相同制度的约束，因此该等人士有权阻止任何第三方使用相似商标。

What are the criteria for a well-known mark in Laos?

老挝驰名商标的标准是什么？

A well-known mark is defined according the following characteristics:

驰名商标具有以下特征：

u The reputation and recognition of the mark among consumers in relevant sectors by way of trade, use of the trademark in connection with goods or services bearing the mark, or through advertising;

u 通过贸易、与带有商标的商品或服务相关的商标使用或通过广告在相关行业的消费者中对商标的声誉和认可；

u Wide distribution or circulation of the goods or services bearing the trademark in Laos;

u 在老挝广泛分销或流通带有商标的商品或服务；

u The quantity of goods sold or services provided;

u 已售商品或所提供服务的数量；

u Duration of continuous use of the trademark;

u 商标的持续使用期限；

u Reputation of the goods or services bearing the trademark among consumers; and

u 带有商标的商品或服务在消费者中的声誉；

u High value of investment in the trademark.

u 商标的高投资价值。

Definition

定义

What can be protected under Lao IP law?

老挝知识产权法可以保护什么？

There are two types of protection for technical inventions under Lao IP law:

根据老挝知识产权法，技术发明保护有两种类型：

u Patents – A patent is a certificate granted to the owner of an invention. As a patent owner, you have the right to prevent others from exploiting your invention without your permission. According to Lao IP law, an invention is a “technical solution to create a new product or a process of production to resolve a specific problem.”

u 专利——专利是授予发明所有者的证书。专利所有者有权阻止他人在未经许可的情况下利用发明。根据老挝知识产权法，发明是“创造新产品或生产过程以解决特定问题的技术解决方案。”

u Petty patent (utility model) – Protection of a petty patent in Laos relies on a certificate issued to an IP owner to safeguard their rights to a “utility innovation,” which is a “new innovative work derived through technical improvements” and “involves simpler steps than with inventions.”

u 小专利（实用新型）—老挝对小专利的保护依赖于向知识产权所有者颁发的证书，保护其“实用新型创新”的权利，这是“通过技术改进产生的新创新性工作”，“涉及比发明更简单的步骤。”

Protection

保护

What are the requirements to obtain protection for protect my patent or petty patent?

如何就专利或小专利获得保护？

The law qualifies a patentable invention or innovation with the following characteristics:

法律规定可申请专利的发明或创新具有以下特征：

u New – Your invention or innovation must not be disclosed to the public in any manner or used by any means anywhere else in the world prior to filing the application in Laos or before the publication date of the first-filed application.

u 新颖性——在老挝提交申请之前或首次提交申请的发布日期之前，不得以任何方式向公众披露发明或创新，也不得以任何方法在世界其他地方使用。

u Inventive step – Your inventive step must not be obvious to a person with ordinary skills in the concerned field. The degree of inventiveness may be lesser for a petty patent than for a patent.

u 创造性步骤——对于在相关领域具有普通技能的人员来说，创造性步骤不得是显而易见的。小专利的创造性程度可能低于专利。

u Industrial application – Your invention must eventually be applicable in some industry.

u 产业应用——发明最终必须适用于某些产业。

Are there any types of inventions or innovations that cannot be patented or petty patented?

是否有任何类型的发明或创新无法获得专利或小专利？

The following categories are excluded from patentability under Lao IP law:

根据老挝知识产权法，以下类别不具有专利性：

u Discoveries of existing things, including living organisms or parts of living organisms;

u 对现有事物的发现，包括生物体或生物体的部分；

u Treatment and/or cure of humans or animals by way of diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or surgical means;

u 通过诊断、治疗和/或手术手段对人类或动物进行治疗和/或治愈；

u Scientific principles/theories and mathematical formulas/ rules/principles for doing business or playing games; and

u 做生意或玩游戏的科学原理/理论和数学公式/规律/原理；

u Plants and animals, other than microorganisms, and any biological processes for the production of plants or animal.

u 除微生物外的植物和动物，以及生产植物或动物的任何生物过程。

A patent or petty patent may be refused for the following reasons:

可能因以下原因而拒绝专利或小专利注册：

u The protection of culture, traditions, human, animal, or plant life or health, as well as avoidance of adverse impact to the environment; or

u 保护文化、传统、人类、动物或植物的生命或健康，以及避免对环境造成不利影响；或

u The protection of public order in Laos.

u 老挝的公共秩序保护。

Is patent or petty patent registration mandatory?

专利或小专利注册是否具有强制性？

Patent or petty patent registration is not mandatory. Unlike trademarks, however, in order to have exclusive rights over an invention or an innovation, you need to file an application for registration with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property.

专利或小专利注册不是强制性的。然而，与商标不同，为了对发明或创新拥有专有权，需要向老挝知识产权局提交注册申请。

What is the scope of protection for my patent or petty patent?

专利或小专利的保护范围是什么？

After examination of your application, if your invention or innovation meets the requirements for patentability, the Lao Department of Intellectual Property will issue you with a patent certificate and will then register your patent or petty patent and publish

经申请审查后，如果发明或创新符合专利性要求，老挝知识产权局将签发专利证书，然后进行专利或小专利注册，并

that notice of that registration in the official industrial property gazette. The issuance of the certificate acknowledges you as the holder of the exclusive rights to exploit and protect your invention or innovation in Laos, as stated in the IP law below:

在官方工业产权公报上发布该注册的通知。证书的签发将承认在老挝利用和保护发明或创新专有权的持有人，如以下知识产权法所述：

u To enjoy the benefits derived from the exploitation of the industrial property;

u 享受利用工业产权所带来的利益；

u To authorize another person to exploit all or part of your rights;

u 授权其他人员利用全部或部分权利；

u To transfer fully or partially your industrial property by will, sale exchange, rent, or assignment; and

u 通过遗嘱、出售交换、出租或转让的方式全部或部分转让工业产权；

u To take legal action to protect your rights in your invention or innovation from infringers.

u 采取法律行动保护发明或创新的权利不受侵权人侵犯。

How long does a patent or petty patent registration last?

专利或小专利注册持续多长时间？

The term is 20 years from the date of filing for a patent and 10 years from the date of filing for a petty patent.

期限为自申请专利之日起20年，自申请小专利之日起10年。

How long does registration take?

注册需要多长时间？

The registration of a patent usually takes 50 months from the date of filing, and 12 months for the issuance of a petty patent.

专利的注册通常需要自申请之日起50个月，小专利的签发需要12个月。

How can I maintain my granted rights?

如何维护所授予的权利？

In order to maintain the terms of protection, you must pay annual fees in advance.

为持续保护期限，须提前缴纳年费。

Can my patent or petty patent be licensed in Laos?

专利或小专利能否在老挝获得许可？

You may grant another individual or entity a license to exploit all or part of your patent or petty patent rights. The license agreement must be made in writing and registered with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property in order for it to be enforceable against a third party.

可以向其他个人或实体授予利用全部或部分专利或小专利的许可。许可协议必须以书面形式签订，并在老挝知识产权局进行注册，才能对第三方强制执行。

Definition

定义

What is an industrial design?

什么是工业品外观设计？

Under Lao IP law, an industrial design is “the form or shape of the product, which is to be created and includes patterns, lines, colors, etc., thereof.”

根据老挝国家知识产权法，工业品外观设计是指“将要创造的产品的形式或形状，包括其图案、线条、颜色等。”

Protection

保护

What are the requirements to protect my design?

设计有哪些要求？

In order to qualify for protection, your industrial design must satisfy two key criteria:

为了获得保护资格，工业品外观设计必须满足两个重要条件：

u New – Your design must never have been disclosed to the public, by way of publication, use, or display, whether in Laos or elsewhere in the world, prior to the date on which you file your application in Laos;

u 新颖性——在向老挝知识产权局提交申请之日前，设计，无论是在老挝还是其他国家或地区，必须从未以出版、使用或展示的形式向公众公开；

u Ornamental – The ornamental qualities of your industrial design must display a “special appearance of the object to which the design is applied or in which it is embodied.”

u 装饰性——工业品外观设计的装饰性必须展现出“应用或体现该工业品外观设计客体的特殊外观。”

Are there any types of designs that cannot be registered?

哪类设计不能注册？

Your design is ineligible for industrial design registration if it falls into one of the following two categories:

如果工业品外观设计属于以下两类之一，则没有资格进行工业品外观设计专利注册：

► Its appearance is dictated by the technical features of the object to which the design is applied or in which it is embodied; or

► 其外观是由应用或体现该设计客体的技术特征所决定的；或

► It disregards traditions and/or disturbs the social order of Laos.

► 忽略老挝传统和/或扰乱社会秩序。

Is industrial design registration mandatory?

工业品外观设计专利注册是否具有强制性？

Industrial design registration is not mandatory, but it is required if you wish to protect your designs. The Lao Department of Intellectual Property is the competent authority to examine your application for registration.

工业品外观设计专利注册是非强制性的，但如果需要保护自己的工业品外观设计，则必须进行注册。老挝知识产权局是审查注册申请的主管部门。

What is the scope of protection for my design?

设计专利的保护范围是什么？

An industrial design certificate grants you the exclusive right to exploit and protect your design. You may prevent other persons or entities from manufacturing, making, utilizing, trading, circulating, importing, exporting, and/or distributing your protected design.

工业品外观设计专利证书授予持证人使用和保护工业品外观设计的专有使用权。持证人可以阻止他人或实体制造、生产、利用、交易、流通、进口、出口和/或分销受保护的外观设计。

How long does registration take?

注册需要多长时间？

The registration process for an industrial design may take 6-12 months from the date of filing.

工业品外观设计专利注册程序从申请之日起可能需要6-12个月。

How long does an industrial design registration last?

工业品外观设计专利注册需要多长时间？

Once registration is granted, your industrial design will be protected for 15 years from the filing date of your application.

一旦注册成功，工业品外观设计专利将自申请之日起受到15年的保护。

How can I maintain my granted certificate?

如何持续已注册证书的保护期限？

In order to maintain the terms of protection, you must pay fees every five years in advance.

为持续保护期限，须每五年提前缴纳一次费用。

Can my industrial design be licensed in Laos?

工业品外观设计专利可以在老挝获得许可吗？

You may grant another individual or entity the rights to exploit all or part of your industrial design. The license agreement must be made in writing and registered with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property to be enforceable against a third party.

可以向其他个人或实体授予利用全部或部分工业品外观设计的权利。许可协议必须以书面形式签订，并在老挝知识产权局进行注册，才能对第三方强制执行。

Copyright

版权

Definition

定义

What is a copyright?

什么是版权？

Copyright means the exclusive right of an author or a copyright holder to publish or reproduce their creative works. Copyright in Laos covers works, as stated in the IP law, in the artistic, literary, and scientific domains, including computer programs. Lao regulations also cover related rights, which include works of performers, producers, phonograms, and broadcasting organizations.

版权是指作者或版权持有人出版或复制其作品的专有权利。据老挝国家知识产权法所述，在老挝，版权涉及艺术、文学和科学领域的作品，包括计算机程序。老挝法规还涉及邻接权，包括表演者、制作者、录音制品和广播机构的作品。

Copyright and related rights grant protection over creative works, as ideas by themselves cannot be protected.

作品本身不受保护，但版权和邻接权将为作品提供保护。

Derivative works, based on preexisting works and meeting the legal qualifications, are protected as original works without infringing copyrighted works. Derivative works include those works shaped upon an already existing work and cover translation, adaptation, arrangement of music, modification, transformation, interpretation, and other adjustment or transformation of a work under copyright regime.

基于已有作品，在不侵犯版权作品且符合法定资格的情况下，衍生作品将作为原创作品受到保护。衍生作品包括在已有作品基础上形成的作品，涵盖翻译、改编、配乐、修改、转换、解释以及对版权制度下的作品进行的其他调整或转换。

Are there any types of works that cannot be eligible for copyright protection?

是否存在某些类型的作品无法获得版权保护？

Under Lao IP law, the following works are excluded from copyright protection:

根据老挝国家知识产权法，以下作品不在版权保护之列：

► News of the day or miscellaneous facts;

► 时事新闻或事实消息；

► Ideas or procedures, methods of operation, or mathematical concepts; and

► 想法或程序、操作方法或数学概念；及

► Official text emanating from an official body and translation of such text.

► 来自官方机构的正本及其译本。

Protection

保护

How are copyrights and related rights protected in Laos?

老挝如何保护版权和邻接权？

As a copyright owner, you hold exclusive moral rights over your work for the following purposes:

版权所有者，出于以下目的，对作品拥有道德专有权：

► To disclose and/or publish your work for the first time;

► 首次公开和/或出版的作品；

► To have recognition as the author and the right to object to any misattribution;

► 作者身份得到认可，有权反对任何错误归因；

► To have your name displayed and acknowledged in relation to your work;

► 姓名出现在作品致谢栏；

► To use a pseudonym or anonymously publish your work;

► 使用笔名或匿名发表的作品；

► To contest the use of your name with a work that you did not partake in or did not modify; and

► 对在未参与编制或修改的作品中使用姓名提出异议；及

► To object to any distortion or mutilation of the work or action that could be prejudicial to your honor or integrity.

► 反对对作品的任何曲解或篡改，或可能损害荣誉或诚信的任何行为。

When you own your copyright, you may enjoy the following rights, as well:

拥有版权的同时还享有以下权利：

► To reproduce in any manner and distribute copies of your works;

► 以任何方式复制及分销作品复制件；

► To translate such works;

► 翻译作品；

► To broadcast or circulate such works to the public by wired or wireless methods; and

► 以有线或无线方式，向公众播放或传播作品；及

► To promote the broadcast of your work, by way of signs, sounds, or images.

► 通过符号、声音或图像的方式，推广作品。

Do I need to register my copyright?

是否需要注册自己的版权？

Copyrights or related rights do not need registration to be protected. But you can record a notification with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property to document your copyrighted work and to show evidence of your ownership over it. This process may assist in proving your ownership rights in case there is any violation or dispute over your copyrighted work.

版权或邻接权无需注册，就能得到保护。但可以向老挝知识产权部发出通知，登记受版权保护的作品，并证明对其拥有所有权。如果版权作品受到任何侵犯或争议，此过程可能有助于证明所有权。

How long do copyrights and related rights last?

版权和邻接权持续多长时间？

In principle, copyrights and related rights protection lasts 50 years after the death of the author.

原则上，版权和邻接权保护在作者逝世后持续50年。

Are there limitations and/or exceptions to copyright?

版权有限制和/或特殊情况吗？

The protection of copyrighted work is limited by the fair use of third parties, as described in Lao IP law. As long as those acts comply with certain legal conditions, they may be lawfully conducted without prior permission from the author. For example, in the case where a protected literacy or artistic work is used as a resource for teaching purposes, the consent of the author is not required.

如老挝知识产权法所述，受版权保护的作品受第三方合理使用的限制。只要此类行为符合特定的法律条件，就可以合法进行，无需获得作者事先许可。例如，受保护的文化或艺术作品用作教学资源时，无需获得作者同意。

This exception to the overall protection of copyright is legal, on the understanding that the fair use rules should neither impede the normal exploitation of the work nor unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the author.

如果合理使用规则既不妨碍作品的正常利用，也不会不合理地损害作者的合法利益，那么认为这种对版权整体保护的特殊情况是合法的。

Trade Secret

商业秘密

Definition

定义

What is a trade secret?

什么是商业秘密？

A trade secret is information that is important to your business or company and is not known and not easily accessible to the public. A trade secret must also confer on its holder some form of economic benefit or advantage, and the controller of such information must take reasonable efforts to maintain its secrecy.

商业秘密对业务或公司非常重要，其不公开，也不容易由公众获取。商业秘密还必须为其持有者带来某种形式的经济利益或优势，此类信息的控制者必须采取合理的措施来保护其保密性。

In Laos, a trade secret is defined under IP law as “information which is secret in the sense that it is not known among or readily accessible to persons within the circles that normally deal with the kind of information in question, such as: formula, production process, or any information which has commercial value because it is secret.” Lao IP law further provides the conditions for having information interpreted as a trade secret. Accordingly, the information must:

在老挝，根据知识产权法，商业秘密是指“秘密信息，即通常处理目前讨论信息的圈内人士，不了解或不容易获取的信息，例如：配方、生产过程或任何因其秘密性而具有商业价值的信息。”老挝知识产权法进一步规定了将信息解释为商业秘密的条件。因此，此类信息必须：

► Be secret and known only to a limited circle of persons;

► 具有秘密性，仅有限的圈内人士所知悉；

► Have commercial value; and

► 具有商业价值；及

► Be subject to specific actions from the proprietor of such information to keep the information secret.

► 受制于此类信息所有者的具体行动，对此类信息进行保密。

What are my trade secret rights?

商业秘密权有哪些？

As the owner of a trade secret, you may disclose, use, and permit others to use your trade secret, as well as prevent others from doing so without your permission. In the same vein, you can trigger an action before the Court of Justice, where you can ask for compensation from damages caused by the leak of the trade secret or for assistance in preventing individuals or legal entities from misappropriating the trade secret. As you are the owner, you can disclose, withdraw, or use the trade secret or transfer it to another person for their disclosure, withdrawal, or use, by defining the contents and requirements of keeping the trade secret confidential.

商业秘密的所有者可以披露、使用和允许他人使用商业秘密，同时还可以阻止他人在未经允许的情况下使用商业秘密。同样，该所有者可以向法院提起诉讼，要求对泄露商业秘密造成的损失进行赔偿，或者要求获得协助以阻止个人或法人盗用商业秘密。此外，所有者可以通过定义保持商业秘密机密性的内容和要求，来披露、提取或使用该商业秘密，或将该商业秘密转让与他人供其披露、提取或使用。

Protection

保护

How can I protect my trade secret in Laos?

在老挝如何保护商业秘密？

Under Lao IP law, you are exempt from the obligation of registration and are entitled to protect your trade secret without registering it. To protect the confidentiality of such information, you may disclose, disseminate, or provide access to such information to only a very limited number of people. Another option is to use a nondisclosure agreement that would legally guarantee discretion regarding the information to be protected, as described within the covenant.

老挝知识产权法免除了商业秘密的注册义务，并且在无需注册情况下有权保护商业秘密。为了保护此类信息的机密性，所有者可以仅向数量有限的人员披露、传播此类信息，或提供对此类信息的访问权限；还可以使用保密协议，该协议将从法律上保证对受保护信息的自行决定权，如协议所述。

How long will my trade secret protection last?

商业秘密保护将持续多久？

Trade secrets are protected for an unlimited period of time, as long as they remain secret.

商业秘密的保护是无限期的。

Are there exceptions to infringement claims?

侵权索赔有特殊情况吗？

The following acts are not considered infringement of a trade secret:

下列行为不被视为侵犯商业秘密：

► Reverse engineering or laboratory testing; or

► 反向工程或实验室测试；或

► When an individual obtains certain confidential information that was not covered by an obligation of secrecy or trust.

► 当某个人获得不属于保密或信用义务范围的某些机密信息时。

Enforcement

执行

Infringement

侵权

How can I enforce my intellectual property rights in Laos?

在老挝如何行使知识产权？

Upon discovery of evidence that proves activities which infringe on intellectual property rights, you, as an IP owner, or your legal representatives, may file civil or criminal charges against an infringer by filing a complaint in the Lao People’s Court. Infringers that violate your IP rights are liable for the damages they have caused. In addition to civil measures, criminal measures can be taken against infringers.

一旦发现能够证明侵犯知识产权活动的证据，知识产权所有者或其律师可以向老挝人民法院提起诉讼，对侵权人提起民事或刑事诉讼。一旦有证据表明涉嫌侵犯知识产权的活动，侵权人要对其造成的损失负责。除民事措施外，还可对侵权人采取刑事措施。

Penalties

处罚

What civil and criminal sanctions are applied to IP infringers?

哪些民事和刑事处罚适用于知识产权侵权人？

According to the IP law, any individual, legal entity, or organization that intentionally violates the law can be fined from 1 percent to 5 percent of the total value of the damages that have occurred. In addition, those committing acts of counterfeiting, deception, fraud, or unfair competition may be subject to imprisonment from three months to two years and a fine from LAK 500,000 (approximately USD 60 based on February 2017 exchange rates) to LAK 10 million (approximately USD 1220). The IP law also provides provisional measures by way of court order, depending on the urgency and seriousness of an infringement and taking into account that any delay would cause irreparable harm to the IP owner.

根据知识产权法，对任何有意违法的个人、法人或组织均可处以损害赔偿总额1%至5%的罚款。此外，对涉嫌伪造、欺骗、欺诈或不正当竞争等犯罪行为的侵权人可能处以三个月至两年的监禁，并处以50万基普（按2017年2月汇率计算约合60美元）至1千万基普（约合1220美元）的罚款。根据侵权行为的紧迫性和严重性，并考虑到任何拖延都会对知识产权所有者造成无法弥补的损失，知识产权法中还通过法院指令的方式规定了临时措施。

Additional legal measures may be taken. These measures allow for a judge to suspend or withdraw business licenses, and the counterfeit goods or the equipment involved in the infringement may be seized.

此外，可以对侵权人采取其他法律措施。这些措施中规定，允许法官吊销或撤销营业执照，并可没收侵权行为所涉及的假冒商品或设备。

Mediation

调解

Are there other options for enforcing my IP rights?

行使知识产权还有其他的方案吗？

Pursuing a legal remedy through the courts can be costly and time consuming. Before resorting to this option, you may wish to rely on the administrative remedies that are available under Lao IP law. You can file a complaint with the Lao Department of Intellectual Property, which will then act as an intermediary and a mediator between the infringer and you. In our experience, IP owners often find this administrative process helpful in delivering satisfactory and timely decisions to stop further infringement. If the infringement does not cease, you may consider asking the Lao DIP for permission to conduct a raid action in order to legally seize the infringing counterfeit goods in shops and/or marketplaces.

向法院寻求法律救济可能费钱费时。在采取这一方案之前，知识产权所有者不妨先了解下老挝知识产权法规定的行政救济。所有者可以向老挝知识产权局提出申诉，老挝知识产权局将作为侵权人与所有者之间的中间人和调解人。根据经验，知识产权所有者通常会发现，这一行政程序有助于及时做出令人满意的决定，制止进一步的侵权行为。如果侵权行为未能停止，所有者可以考虑获得老挝知识产权局的允许，采取突袭行动，以便合法扣押商店和/或市场上的侵权假冒商品。

Intellectual Asset Management

知识资产管理

IAM Program

IAM计划

How can I make the best use of my IP?

如何充分利用知识产权？

We recommend that you put in place an Intellectual Asset Management Program (IAM program). An IAM program is designed to help your company establish systems and business processes that will enable you to manage your intellectual property as creatively and as efficiently as possible, so that you can spend more time managing your other assets. Tilleke & Gibbins’ IAM program will help you:

建议知识产权所有者制定一项知识资产管理计划（IAM计划）。该知识资产管理计划旨在帮助所有者建立系统和业务流程，使其能够尽可能创造性地、高效地管理知识产权，以便将更多的时间用于管理其他资产。Tilleke & Gibbins的知识资产管理计划将有助于：

► Maximize the value of your company’s IP; and

► 将所有者的知识产权价值最大化；并

► Derive a competitive advantage from your IP, and ultimately, increase your company’s value.

► 从知识产权中获得竞争优势，并最终提升所有者的公司价值。

What does an IAM program involve?

知识资产管理计划包括哪些内容？

Often, large companies that are proceeding with their own internal IAM programs, particularly after acquisition of new portfolios or under the terms of a licensing transaction, will call on their external IP lawyers to assist them in setting up the necessary structures. Our IAM programs are made up of specific modules.

通常情况下，正在实施内部知识资产管理计划的大型公司，尤其是在新投资组合之后或根据许可交易条款进行收购之后，会请外部知识产权律师协助其建立必要的结构。该知识资产管理计划由特定模块组成。

Companies decide, usually through discussions with our firm, which particular modules will be of the most relevance and of the most benefit to them. In summary, the key drivers for IAM programs are:

此类公司通常会与我公司进行讨论，决定哪些特定模块与其密切相关，对其最为有利。总之，知识资产管理计划的主要驱动力是：

► The identification and recordal of IP, both registered and unregistered, and the strengthening of legal title to these rights, both in Laos and elsewhere;

► 在老挝和其他地方，对已注册和未注册的知识产权进行识别和登记，并加强对这些权利的合法所有权；

► The monitoring of third-party activities for actions that could negatively impact your business;

► 监控第三方活动，以防对企业造成负面影响；

► The development of systems to ensure that IP is relevant to your business, that it is properly protected and managed, and that maximum commercial advantage is being derived from it; and

► 开发系统，确保知识产权与公司业务相关，以适当地保护和管理知识产权，并从中获得最大的商业利益；

► The minimization of costs and risks associated with the acquisition, use and misuse of IP.

► 最大程度地降低与获取、使用和滥用知识产权相关的成本和风险。

Tilleke & Gibbins

About

关于

Tilleke & Gibbins has a leading Southeast Asia intellectual property practice. From our offices in Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Yangon, we help creators strategically position, protect, and profit from their valuable intellectual assets.

Tilleke & Gibbins在东南亚拥有领先的知识产权业务。我们通过曼谷、河内、胡志明市、雅加达、金边、万象和仰光的办事处，帮助创作者战略性地定位、保护其宝贵的知识资产并从中获利。

Our Vientiane office represents clients across the full range of intellectual property matters in Laos. Through our on-the-ground team, we deliver the highest standards of efficiency, while ensuring that you receive the same level of high-quality IP services you have come to expect from Tilleke & Gibbins.

万象办事处代表老挝所有知识产权事务的客户。我们建立了实地团队，从而最大程度地提高效率，同时确保您从Tilleke & Gibbins获得与期望相符的高质量知识产权服务。

Tilleke & Gibbins’ success on our clients’ behalf has led to global recognition of our firm as an IP leader by prominent publications such as Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Managing Intellectual Property, World Trademark Review, Asialaw Profiles, Asia IP, Asian Legal Business, and others.

Tilleke & Gibbins在代表客户方面取得的成功使得我们公司在全球范围内得到了认可，成为了知识产权领域的领导者，具体内容见《钱伯斯亚太法律排名》、《亚太法律500强》、《知识产权管理》、《世界商标评论》、《亚洲法律概况》、《亚洲知识产权》、《亚洲法律事务》等。

Tilleke & Gibbins

Contact

联系方式

To learn more about how we can help you position, protect, and profit from your intellectual assets, please contact:

如需更多有关我们如何帮助您定位、保护知识资产并从中获利的信息，请联系：

Darani Vachanavuttivong

Co-Managing Partner and Managing Director, Intellectual Property

知识产权共同管理合伙人和常务董事

darani.v@tilleke.com

bangkok | hanoi | ho chi minh city | jakarta | phnom penh | vientiane | yangon

曼谷|河内|胡志明市|雅加达|金边|万象|仰光

Tilleke & Gibbins Lao Co., Ltd.

No. 302/1B, 3rd Floor, Vieng Vang Tower

Unit 15 Boulichan Road Dongpalan Thong Village

Sisattanak District, Vientiane, Laos

老挝万象西沙达纳区Dongpalan Thong村Boulichan路15单元万荣大厦3楼302/1B号

E: lao@tilleke.com

电子邮箱：lao@tilleke.com

www.tilleke.com

© 2017 Tilleke & Gibbins Lao Co., Ltd.

© 2017 Tilleke & Gibbins Lao Co., Ltd.版权所有