Lao Trademark Gazette Issue 360: 226 Trademarks Published - Your Brand May Have Already Been Pre-registered by Others

老挝商标公报第360期：226件商标公示，你的品牌可能已被他人抢先注册

ຈົດໝາຍເຫດການເຄື່ອງໝາຍການຄ້າລາວສະບັບທີ່ 360: ມີ 226 ເຄື່ອງໝາຍການຄ້າປະກາດ, ຍີ່ຫໍ້ຂອງທ່ານອາດຖືກຜູ້ອື່ນຂຶ້ນທະບຽນກ່ອນ

Published: 2026-09-03 · LaoPaniti legal guides

You have just launched your product in Laos, and before you can establish a foothold, you discover a same-name brand in the market—this is not a hypothetical scenario but a real risk under Laos's "first-to-file" trademark system. The latest trademark gazette (Issue 360) from the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of Laos has been published, with a total of 226 trademarks entering the opposition period. If your brand name is among them, and the Applicant is not you, then your trademark may have already been "scooped" by others.

This Issue's Gazette: Who is Pre-registering Trademarks in Laos?

First, look at the numbers: Among the 226 published trademarks, popular classes are concentrated in daily consumer goods—Class 05 (pharmaceuticals/hygiene products) with 20 marks, Class 03 (Cosmetics/cleaning products) with 18, Class 32 (beer/beverages) with 17, Class 30 (coffee/tea/pastries) with 16, and Class 12 (vehicles/transport) with 13. These classes are hotspots for Laos's consumption upgrade and key areas for Enterprise layout.

Regarding the origin of Applicants, Chinese Applicants lead with 43 marks, followed by Thailand (27), the United States (26), Japan (20), and Italy (15). This indicates that not only local Enterprises but also foreign brands are accelerating their capture of trademark resources in Laos.

First-to-File System: One Step Late, and Your Brand May Be Gone

Laos implements a "first-to-file" system, meaning simply that whoever files first obtains the trademark right, regardless of who used it first. This implies that even if you have been operating in the Lao market for years, as long as your brand is not registered, others can legally pre-register your trademark and even sue you for Infringement.

Some trademarks in this publication appear to be common or descriptive words (e.g., "ate", "BULL" in the examples), but once approved for Registration, they may restrict your use of these signs on identical or similar Goods. If your brand name is identical or similar to these published trademarks, be sure to file an opposition within the opposition period (usually 60 days); otherwise, the trademark will be officially registered, making it much harder to defend your rights.

Three Steps for Self-Check: Is Your Brand Safe?

Step 1: Immediately review the 226 trademarks in this publication to see if any names are identical or similar to your brand. Step 2: Log in to the LaoPaniti platform (https://www.123laoai.com), use the free trademark search tool, enter your brand name, and the system will automatically search the existing Lao trademark database to help you assess Registration risks. Step 3: If risks are found, consult a professional Representation agency as soon as possible to prepare an opposition or supplementary application.

Remember, trademark protection is "first come, first served"; delay only increases risks. If you are doing business in Laos or planning to enter the Lao market, take a few minutes now to check, so your brand does not become someone else's "wedding dress."

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

FAQ

During the opposition period for a Lao trademark, how do I file an opposition?

According to the Lao Trademark Law, within the opposition period (usually 60 days) from the publication date in the trademark gazette, any interested party may submit an opposition application to the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), stating reasons and providing evidence. It is recommended to entrust a local trademark Representation agency to handle the process to ensure procedural compliance.

I used my brand first but did not register it, and someone else pre-registered it. What should I do?

Laos adopts a first-to-file system, making it difficult for unregistered prior users to defend their rights. However, if you can prove that the other party acted in bad faith (e.g., knowingly applying for your brand), you may file an opposition during the opposition period or request invalidation of the trademark. It is advisable to consult a professional lawyer and promptly file a supplementary Registration.

Is the trademark search tool on LaoPaniti free? How do I use it?

Yes, LaoPaniti provides a free online trademark search tool. You can visit https://www.123laoai.com, find the "Trademark Registration" module in the workspace, enter your brand name, and the system will search the existing Lao trademark database, showing identical or similar results to help you preliminarily assess Registration feasibility.

Legal basis

《老挝商标法》第第20条条

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