BANGKOK – The Department of Intellectual Property has announced that the 2016 Trademark Act has come into effect, emphasizing its mechanisms to prevent copyright infringement of product packaging and music.
Department Director Nuntawan Sakuntanaga said the 2016 Trademark Act, which became effective yesterday, better responds to modern issues related to copyright infringement.
Those found to have displayed or stolen a registered or trademarked packaging design could receive a maximum jail sentence of four years and a maximum fine of 400,000 baht, instead of the one-year jail sentence and 2,000-baht fine under the old law.
Copyright protection now extends to music, including jingles for ice-cream carts and TV programs. The law will enable ice cream makers and TV operators to take full advantage of their music for marketing purposes. The trademark registration period has also been reduced from 90 days to 60 days.
