News

On 19 October, the new Director-General of Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property announced the "DIP One" work direction: setting up a fast track for registration, pushing amendments to four laws including the Patent Act and the Copyright Act, and piloting the use of intellectual property as collateral for financing, with a two-phase timeline of 6 months to 1 year and 1 to 2 years.

Three Directions

According to a Ministry of Commerce press release issued on 20 October, the Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property held an all-staff meeting on 19 October, presenting the slogan "DIP One: One Vision, One Team, Real Impact" and emphasizing zero corruption.

Faster services. Streamline procedures and set up a fast track for registration; promote cross-agency work sharing and train-the-trainer programs; improve the IP search system and upgrade the online and offline one-stop service center (IP ONE).

Stronger protection. Push amendments to four laws: the Patent Act, the Copyright Act, the Geographical Indications Act and the Act on Copyright Collective Management Organizations; combat infringement through public-private cooperation and encourage online platforms to use artificial intelligence against online infringement; and provide end-to-end protection for geographical indication products, from registration and quality control to branding.

IP commercialization. Help SMEs recognize the value of intellectual property and expand exports of geographical indication products and Thai brands; develop IP financing, using intellectual property as collateral for loans, piloted through a regulatory sandbox.

Timeline

• 6 months to 1 year: streamline procedures and advance the legal amendments; set up a working group of rights holders, financial institutions and valuers to develop recognized IP valuation standards.

• 1 to 2 years: achieve the goals for services, protection and commercial value.

The press release did not disclose the specific provisions or timing of the amendments.

What It Means for Businesses in Thailand

Based on the press release, two of the three directions are most relevant to foreign-invested companies. First, the registration fast track and upgraded search system, if implemented, may improve the efficiency of trademark and patent applications and searches. Second, the crackdown on online infringement: the Department of Intellectual Property is encouraging online platforms to use artificial intelligence to identify infringement, which directly affects companies selling their own brands on Thai e-commerce platforms. IP financing is currently at the stage of developing valuation standards and piloting in a regulatory sandbox, and the eligible parties have not yet been announced.

Background Data

The Department of Intellectual Property previously reported that Thailand received a total of 61,288 applications across four types of intellectual property in January-September 2026, up 9.59% year on year, including 45,696 trademark applications, with foreign applicants accounting for 44% (see our report of 16 October).

Key Points

• The Department of Intellectual Property plans to set up a registration fast track and upgrade its search system and one-stop service center.

• It will push amendments to the Patent Act, the Copyright Act, the Geographical Indications Act and the Act on Copyright Collective Management Organizations.

• It will pilot the use of intellectual property as collateral for financing, starting with valuation standards.

• The specific content and timing of the amendments have not been announced; subsequent announcements by the Department of Intellectual Property will govern.

Z&X Insight

Until the fast track and the detailed rules of the amendments are issued, trademark applications still follow the current procedures; companies selling their own brands in Thailand should complete trademark registration first, then plan product launches and e-commerce store openings. Z&X Trademark Registration and Maintenance is delivered by a team of Chinese-Thai bilingual consultants and specialists familiar with intellectual property work, providing services across the full trademark lifecycle, liaising with Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property and reporting to clients in Chinese throughout.

Sources

• "อธิบดีจิตติมา" สานต่อการทำงาน ประกาศทิศทางขับเคลื่อนกรมทรัพย์สินทางปัญญา ชูแนวคิด "DIP One" ผสานพลัง ยกระดับบริการ-คุ้มครองสิทธิ-สร้างมูลค่า IP (Director-General Jittima Continues the Work, Announces the Department of Intellectual Property's Direction Under the "DIP One" Concept to Upgrade Services, Protect Rights and Create IP Value) | Ministry of Commerce, Department of Intellectual Property | 2026-10-20 | https://www.moc.go.th/th/gallery/category/detail/id/5/iid/2290