In Laos, Is Your Storefront Legally Protected When Opening a Chain Store?

在老挝开连锁店，你的门头受法律保护吗？

ເປີດຮ້ານສາຂາໃນລາວ, ປ້າຍໜ້າຮ້ານຂອງເຈົ້າໄດ້ຮັບການປົກປ້ອງຕາມກົດໝາຍບໍ?

Published: 2026-07-04 · LaoPaniti legal guides

You opened a milk tea chain store on a bustling street in Vientiane, with an exquisite storefront design and prominent brand name and logo. However, a few months later, a store with the same name suddenly appeared across the street, with an almost identical storefront. You are furious, but you find that your brand name and logo have not been registered as trademarks—can the law help you?

Core of Storefront Protection: Trademark Registration

The storefront (shop sign) usually consists of the brand name, logo, and decoration style. In Laos, the brand name and logo must be registered as trademarks to obtain protection under the Intellectual Property Law. According to Article 3 of this Law, a trademark is a sign used to distinguish goods or services. Laos adopts a first-to-file system, meaning the person who first applies for trademark registration obtains the right. Even if you used a brand first, if it is not registered, it is difficult to oppose others' preemptive registration. Therefore, before opening a store, be sure to conduct a trademark search and submit a registration application.

Enterprise Registration Does Not Equal Trademark Protection

Many bosses think that registering the company name is enough. In fact, enterprise registration only solves the company-level issue and cannot prevent others from registering the same or similar signs as trademarks. According to the relevant provisions of the Intellectual Property Law, trademarks and trade names (enterprise names) are two different types of industrial property (Article 9). The Department of Enterprise Registration and the trademark registration authority are not subordinate to each other; registering an enterprise name does not automatically grant trademark rights.

Protection Path for Decoration Style

Laos does not have a specific "trade dress" protection system, making it difficult for store decoration and overall image to obtain separate legal protection. In practice, a two-pronged approach is usually taken: first, register registrable graphic signs (such as logos and unique patterns) as trademarks; second, clearly stipulate the use of decoration in franchise contracts to protect through contractual terms.

Practical Advice: Search First, Then Register

Before opening a store, it is recommended to use LaoPaniti's free online trademark search tool (https://www.123laoai.com Workspace → Trademark Registration) to check whether your brand name and logo have been registered by others. After confirming no conflicts, submit a trademark registration application to the Department of Intellectual Property of Laos as soon as possible. Remember: trademark registration is the most effective way to protect your storefront.

This article is compiled by LaoPaniti for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.

FAQ

Can a storefront be legally protected without trademark registration?

In Laos, the brand name and logo must be registered as trademarks to obtain protection under the Intellectual Property Law. Unregistered trademarks, even if used first, are difficult to oppose others' preemptive registration.

If I have registered my enterprise name, do I still need to register a trademark?

Yes. Enterprise registration and trademark registration are two different systems. Enterprise registration cannot prevent others from registering the same sign as a trademark, so it is recommended to register the trademark as well.

Can the store decoration style be protected separately?

Laos does not have a specific 'trade dress' protection system. In practice, registrable graphic signs are usually registered as trademarks, and decoration use is regulated in franchise contracts.

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