Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) in Laos: statutory documents, competent authority and legal basis
Who can apply
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ.
Competent authority: File at the provincial/capital Industry & Commerce Department or electronically; the IP Department (DIP) reviews and issues the certificate (Arts.9, 10).
At a glance
Where to apply: File at the provincial/capital Industry & Commerce Department or electronically; the IP Department (DIP) reviews and issues the certificate (Arts.9, 10).
Steps:
- Prepare: form #113 + two copies of the work (or an electronic file) + PoA (if agent) + fee receipt; translate foreign attachments into Lao (Art.9)
- One filing per work; a same-series set may share one filing (Art.9)
- File; when complete the IP Division issues a numbered, dated receipt (Art.10)
How long: Certificate within 15 working days of filing (Art.10); per DIP notice.
Cost: Service fee per the presidential fees decree; on withdrawal the paid fee is not refunded (Arts.9, 10).
Statutory document list
File copyright information (#113)
- Application on the IP Department form (#113) (Art.9.1) (required)
- Two copies or photos of the work/performance/recording/broadcast, or an electronic file (Art.9.3) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent; those without a Lao residence must appoint one) (Art.9.2) (optional)
- Service-fee receipt (per the presidential fees decree) (Art.9.4) (required)
- Lao translation of foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (Art.9) (optional)
- Proof of ownership (if the filer is an assignee/heir/employer rather than the author, Art.8) (optional)
Certificate copy (lost/damaged)
- Application on the IP Department form (#113) (Art.9.1) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent; those without a Lao residence must appoint one) (Art.9.2) (optional)
- Service-fee receipt (per the presidential fees decree) (Art.9.4) (required)
- Lao translation of foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (Art.9) (optional)
- Proof of ownership (if the filer is an assignee/heir/employer rather than the author, Art.8) (optional)
Cancel / withdraw a registration
- Application on the IP Department form (#113) (Art.9.1) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent; those without a Lao residence must appoint one) (Art.9.2) (optional)
- Service-fee receipt (per the presidential fees decree) (Art.9.4) (required)
- Lao translation of foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (Art.9) (optional)
- Proof of ownership (if the filer is an assignee/heir/employer rather than the author, Art.8) (optional)
Statutory requirements
- Registration proves, not grants: Copyright arises automatically when a work is created (Laos is a Berne member) — registration does not create it. Filing under #1637 is an evidentiary information record: it grants no new right but is your strongest proof of ownership for enforcement, licensing, assignment, customs and litigation. Worth doing, but do not think "no registration means no copyright".
- Certificate in 15 working days: Once the file is complete the IP Division issues a receipt with a number and date, and within 15 working days of filing issues the copyright/related-rights information certificate, records it in the database and delivers it via the provincial/capital department (Art.10).
- One work per filing: One filing covers one work; but a series can share one filing, e.g. a poetry, article or song collection (Art.9). Provide two copies/photos of the work/performance/recording/broadcast, or an electronic file.
- Foreign attachments in Lao: Foreign-language attachments — power of attorney, assignment, licence or other related documents — must be translated into Lao (Art.9). Those with no residence or place of business in Laos must appoint an agent (Art.8 / #697).
- Who may register: Registration may be filed by the author, employer, heir or a contractual acquirer of economic rights, regardless of nationality or place, if within a Berne member state (Art.8). Performers, phonogram producers and broadcasters may file related (neighbouring) rights. If the filer is not the author, attach proof of ownership.
- Not protected by copyright: Do not register these (#697, IP Law Art.94): (1) daily news of an information nature and current events; (2) ideas, procedures, processes, methods of operation or mathematical concepts; (3) laws, regulations, judicial documents and their official translations. Copyright protects the form of expression, not the content or facts themselves.
Common issues
- Registration ≠ acquiring copyright: it arises automatically; the record is your strongest proof (Art.7)
- Untranslated foreign PoA/assignment/licence gets rejected (Art.9); those abroad must appoint an agent (Art.8)
Legal basis (Lao Official Gazette texts)
Excerpt: Article 7 Registration of Copyright and Related Rights Registration of copyright and related rights must obtain permission from a translation company that has been duly licensed in accordance with the law.
Excerpt: Article 8 Persons Who May Register Copyright and Related Rights Copyright owners may register copyright regardless of nationality, place of publication or place of business in a country that is a party to the Berne Conve …
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) in Laos?
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ. Competent authority: File at the provincial/capital Industry & Commerce Department or electronically; the IP Department (DIP) reviews and issues the certificate (Arts.9, 10)..
What documents are required for a Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) in Laos?
3 statutory items: Application on the IP Department form (#113) (Art.9.1); Two copies or photos of the work/performance/recording/broadcast, or an electronic file (Art.9.3); Service-fee receipt (per the presidential fees decree) (Art.9.4). Competent authority: File at the provincial/capital Industry & Commerce Department or electronically; the IP Department (DIP) reviews and issues the certificate (Arts.9, 10)..
What is the legal basis for a Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) in Laos?
Based on Intellectual Property Law (Revised) Article 92; Intellectual Property Law (Revised) Article 94; Intellectual Property Law (Revised) Article 99; Agreement on Copyright and Related Rights Article 7; Agreement on Copyright and Related Rights Article 8; Agreement on Copyright and Related Rights Article 9; Agreement on Copyright and Related Rights Article 10; Agreement on Copyright and Related Rights Article 11; Decision of the Minister of Science and Technology on Implementing Copyright and Related Rights under the Law on Intellectual Property Article ; Decision on Establishment of Collective Copyright Organizations Article . The full texts are available in the LaoPaniti law library, sourced from the Lao Official Gazette.
Are there time limits or hard requirements for a Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) in Laos?
Registration proves, not grants: Copyright arises automatically when a work is created (Laos is a Berne member) — registration does not create it. Filing under #1637 is an evidentiary information record: it grants no new right but is your strongest proof of ownership for enforcement, licensing, assignment, customs and litigation. Worth doing, but do not think "no registration means no copyright". Certificate in 15 working days: Once the file is complete the IP Division issues a receipt with a number and date, and within 15 working days of filing issues the copyright/related-rights information certificate, records it in the database and delivers it via the provincial/capital department (Art.10). One work per filing: One filing covers one work; but a series can share one filing, e.g. a poetry, article or song collection (Art.9). Provide two copies/photos of the work/performance/recording/broadcast, or an electronic file. Foreign attachments in Lao: Foreign-language attachments — power of attorney, assignment, licence or other related documents — must be translated into Lao (Art.9). Those with no residence or place of business in Laos must appoint an agent (Art.8 / #697). Who may register: Registration may be filed by the author, employer, heir or a contractual acquirer of economic rights, regardless of nationality or place, if within a Berne member state (Art.8). Performers, phonogram producers and broadcasters may file related (neighbouring) rights. If the filer is not the author, attach proof of ownership. Not protected by copyright: Do not register these (#697, IP Law Art.94): (1) daily news of an information nature and current events; (2) ideas, procedures, processes, methods of operation or mathematical concepts; (3) laws, regulations, judicial documents and their official translations. Copyright protects the form of expression, not the content or facts themselves.
How much does a Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) cost in Laos and how long does it take?
Cost: Service fee per the presidential fees decree; on withdrawal the paid fee is not refunded (Arts.9, 10).. How long: Certificate within 15 working days of filing (Art.10); per DIP notice..
Can LaoPaniti obtain the Copyright & related-rights registration (information filing / certificate copy / cancellation) for me?
LaoPaniti organises the document list, offers online form filling, document upload and pre-check hand-off by staff. It is not a government filing, does not represent acceptance or approval by any authority, and promises neither results nor expedited handling. Formal processing follows the current requirements of the File at the provincial/capital Industry & Commerce Department or electronically; the IP Department (DIP) reviews and issues the certificate (Arts.9, 10)..
Organise documents online and submit for pre-check →
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