Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) 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) decides (Arts.6, 7); applicants abroad need a place of business in Laos or an authorised agent (IP Law Art.27).
At a glance
Where to apply: File at the provincial/capital Industry & Commerce Department or electronically; the IP Department (DIP) decides (Arts.6, 7); applicants abroad need a place of business in Laos or an authorised agent (IP Law Art.27).
Steps:
- Optionally request a search first (Art.5): result in 10 days, preliminary only
- Prepare: application (ID form) + at least seven views (Art.9) + description (Art.10) + PoA (if agent) + priority (if any) + fee receipt; translate foreign attachments into Lao
- File; receive the filing number and date (Art.7); claim priority within 6 months (Art.29)
How long: Preliminary exam in 10 days, fix in 10 working days (Art.12); 60-day opposition (Art.13); term 5 years, renewable twice for 5 years each (Art.25); per DIP notice.
Cost: Search, official and service fees per the IP Department; fees not refunded on withdrawal, abandonment or rejection (Art.7); posted rate prevails.
Statutory document list
Register a new design (ID1)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Design views: drawings/photos/images or a model, clear, at least seven angles (front, back, top, bottom, left, right, overall); a set needs seven views per item (Art.9) (required)
- Brief design description: state the distinctive and novel features, consistent with the views, and the product it applies to (Art.10) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
Maintain / renew (ID13, 5 years each)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
Assignment (ID11)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
- Assignment agreement / proof (assignment, ID11) (required)
Licence recordal (ID10)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
- Design licence contract (recordal, ID10) (required)
Change of name (ID6)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
Change of address (ID7)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
Change of name and address (ID8)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
Opposition (ID3)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
- Grounds and evidence for opposition (ID3; within 60 days of publication, IP Law Art.39) (required)
Correction (ID12) / reissue (ID14)
- Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7) (required)
- Power of attorney (if using an agent) (optional)
- Priority document copy (if any; within 6 months, IP Law Art.29) (optional)
- Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7) (required)
- Lao translation of any foreign-language attachments (PoA/assignment/licence) (optional)
Statutory requirements
- Renew every 5 years, up to 15: Protection is 5 years from registration, maintainable twice for 5 years each (15 years total) (Art.25). Renew within 6 months before expiry; if lapsed, you can still renew within 6 months after with a late penalty; otherwise the design falls into the public domain.
- At least seven views: The views make or break a design filing (Art.9): drawings/photos/images or a model must be clear, at least seven angles — front, back, top, bottom, left, right, overall; a set needs all items; each image 20×28 cm max and 14×20 cm min, with nothing but the design. Missing or unclear views are the top reason for rejection.
- File before you disclose: A design must be novel (Art.15): prior sale, exhibition, publication or a retrievable record anywhere in the world counts as disclosure and defeats novelty. File before you launch, exhibit or advertise. Communication under a confidentiality contract is not disclosure.
- Prelim 10 days, fix 10 days: After intake the IP Department does a preliminary exam within 10 days (Art.12); on a deficiency it notifies within 3 working days and you must fix it within 10 working days of that notice, or the right is deemed abandoned; on passing, it publishes.
- 60-day opposition window: After the preliminary exam it publishes in the IP gazette within 15 working days (Art.13); third parties may oppose within 60 days of publication (Art.13 / IP Law Art.39.3). If unopposed it moves to content examination (Art.14) and, on passing, registers and issues the certificate (Art.19).
- Defer disclosure 18 months: If a product is not yet on the market and you do not want the design exposed early, you may ask in writing at filing to defer publication of the views for up to 18 months (from the publication or priority date), on payment of fees (Art.13).
Common issues
- Incomplete or unclear seven views are the number-one rejection cause (Art.9)
- File before disclosure (Art.15): launching/exhibiting before filing can defeat novelty
Legal basis (Lao Official Gazette texts)
Excerpt: Article 5 Industrial Design Search Any person, legal entity or organization intending to request an industrial design search shall file an application with the Department of Intellectual Property or through electronic me …
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) 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) decides (Arts.6, 7); applicants abroad need a place of business in Laos or an authorised agent (IP Law Art.27)..
What documents are required for a Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) in Laos?
7 statutory items: Application on the IP Department form (matching the ID form) (Art.7); Design views: drawings/photos/images or a model, clear, at least seven angles (front, back, top, bottom, left, right, overall); a set needs seven views per item (Art.9); Brief design description: state the distinctive and novel features, consistent with the views, and the product it applies to (Art.10); Fee and service-charge receipt (non-refundable on withdrawal/abandonment/rejection, Art.7); Assignment agreement / proof (assignment, ID11); Design licence contract (recordal, ID10); Grounds and evidence for opposition (ID3; within 60 days of publication, IP Law Art.39). Competent authority: File at the provincial/capital Industry & Commerce Department or electronically; the IP Department (DIP) decides (Arts.6, 7); applicants abroad need a place of business in Laos or an authorised agent (IP Law Art.27)..
What is the legal basis for a Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) in Laos?
Based on Intellectual Property Law (Revised) Article 27; Intellectual Property Law (Revised) Article 29; Intellectual Property Law (Revised) Article 32; Intellectual Property Law (Revised) Article 39; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 5; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 7; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 8; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 9; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 10; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 12; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 13; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 14; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 15; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 19; Decision on Industrial Designs Article 25. 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 Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) in Laos?
Renew every 5 years, up to 15: Protection is 5 years from registration, maintainable twice for 5 years each (15 years total) (Art.25). Renew within 6 months before expiry; if lapsed, you can still renew within 6 months after with a late penalty; otherwise the design falls into the public domain. At least seven views: The views make or break a design filing (Art.9): drawings/photos/images or a model must be clear, at least seven angles — front, back, top, bottom, left, right, overall; a set needs all items; each image 20×28 cm max and 14×20 cm min, with nothing but the design. Missing or unclear views are the top reason for rejection. File before you disclose: A design must be novel (Art.15): prior sale, exhibition, publication or a retrievable record anywhere in the world counts as disclosure and defeats novelty. File before you launch, exhibit or advertise. Communication under a confidentiality contract is not disclosure. Prelim 10 days, fix 10 days: After intake the IP Department does a preliminary exam within 10 days (Art.12); on a deficiency it notifies within 3 working days and you must fix it within 10 working days of that notice, or the right is deemed abandoned; on passing, it publishes. 60-day opposition window: After the preliminary exam it publishes in the IP gazette within 15 working days (Art.13); third parties may oppose within 60 days of publication (Art.13 / IP Law Art.39.3). If unopposed it moves to content examination (Art.14) and, on passing, registers and issues the certificate (Art.19). Defer disclosure 18 months: If a product is not yet on the market and you do not want the design exposed early, you may ask in writing at filing to defer publication of the views for up to 18 months (from the publication or priority date), on payment of fees (Art.13).
How much does a Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) cost in Laos and how long does it take?
Cost: Search, official and service fees per the IP Department; fees not refunded on withdrawal, abandonment or rejection (Art.7); posted rate prevails.. How long: Preliminary exam in 10 days, fix in 10 working days (Art.12); 60-day opposition (Art.13); term 5 years, renewable twice for 5 years each (Art.25); per DIP notice..
Can LaoPaniti obtain the Industrial design registration (register / renew / assign / licence / change / oppose) 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) decides (Arts.6, 7); applicants abroad need a place of business in Laos or an authorised agent (IP Law Art.27)..
Organise documents online and submit for pre-check →
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