Why can't in-store music and fragrances be registered as trademarks in Laos?

店内音乐和香氛，为什么在老挝注册不了商标？

ດົນຕີໃນຮ້ານ ແລະ ກິ່ນຫອມ, ເປັນຫຍັງຈຶ່ງບໍ່ສາມາດຈົດທະບຽນເຄື່ອງໝາຍການຄ້າໃນລາວ?

Published: 2026-07-04 · LaoPaniti legal guides

You opened a chain coffee shop in Vientiane, carefully selecting soothing jazz music and a special vanilla fragrance, hoping customers will remember your brand as soon as they walk in. But did you know? These sounds and scents cannot currently be registered as trademarks in Laos.

Lao trademark law only protects "visible" marks

According to Article 3 of the Lao Intellectual Property Law (Revised), a trademark is defined as "a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person, legal entity, or organization from those of others." Article 9 lists types of industrial property, among which trademarks are visual signs (such as words, graphics, color combinations, etc.). In practice, the Department of Intellectual Property of Laos currently only accepts trademark registration applications for visual signs; non-visual signs such as sounds and scents are not within the scope of protection. This means that the background music and fragrance in your store cannot obtain exclusive rights through trademark registration.

Protect your multisensory marketing assets through contracts

Although sounds and scents cannot be registered as trademarks, you can protect these "multisensory marketing" assets through contracts. In franchise contracts or brand manuals, clearly stipulate the usage standards, confidentiality obligations, and post-termination cessation obligations for in-store music and fragrances. In this way, even if the other party cannot register, you can still bind franchisees or employees through the contract. For visible brand assets, such as your logo, proprietary fonts, mascot images, and color combination patterns, be sure to apply for trademark registration as soon as possible to obtain legal protection.

Conduct a prior search before registration to avoid conflicts

Before applying for a trademark, it is advisable to conduct a prior search to ensure that your mark has not been registered by others. LaoPaniti provides a free online trademark search tool; you can access it directly at https://www.123laoai.com. Additionally, LaoPaniti offers AI legal consultation and contract review services to help you avoid legal risks.

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

FAQ

Can sound trademarks be registered in Laos?

According to the relevant provisions of the Lao Intellectual Property Law, only visual signs are currently protected; sound trademarks cannot be registered for the time being.

Can the in-store fragrance formula be patented?

If the fragrance formula meets the conditions for an invention patent (novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability), you can try to apply for a patent, but the scent itself cannot be registered as a trademark.

How can I protect my in-store music from being misused by franchisees?

It is recommended to clearly specify the scope of music use, confidentiality obligations, and liability for breach in the franchise contract, and require immediate cessation of use upon termination.

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